MURCIA, Spain, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On Oct. 15, the Region of Murcia became the first in Spain – and only the fourth in Europe – to launch GIS Planning's powerful online tool to attract new businesses and jobs. Murcia.ZoomProspector helps companies analyze economic and demographic data about the region to find ideal locations using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology.

The software, which has been widely deployed across the United States and Canada, is beginning to gain a foothold with investment promotion agencies in Europe, with launches in the U.K. and Switzerland earlier this year.

"We are proud to be the first ones in Spain to partner with the Financial Times Group and GIS Planning to incorporate this technology to our portfolio of services," says Javier Celdran, Region of Murcia Minister of Employment, Universities, Business, and Environment. "When it comes to foreign direct investment (FDI), the Region of Murcia is committed to providing the most attractive advantages in the South of Europe."

Murcia.ZoomProspector's user-friendly data mapping system enables businesses to instantly research, analyze, and export regional data on demographics, labour force, salary levels, talent pool, infrastructure, industrial parks, and educational offerings. Research results are packaged together in thematic heat maps, infographics, charts, and graphs, allowing for swift analysis of complex information in English and Spanish.

"Market research shows that more than 97% of investors research locations online, often before contacting investment promotion agencies. This site selection assistance tool ensures that Murcia's market is open for business 24 hours per day," says Anatalio Ubalde, CEO and co-founder of the Silicon Valley-based GIS Planning, Inc., a service of the Financial Times.

The Murcia.ZoomProspector interactive online application features approximately 1,354 properties, including industrial parks and office, industrial, co-working, incubator, and commercial spaces.

Invest in Murcia's Director of Foreign Investments and Industrial Infrastructures at Instituto de Fomento (the regional development agency), Fernando Ballesta, points to a multi-sector climb in FDI that is bringing business and jobs to southern Spain in sectors including agri-food (Symborg, Fruveco, PepsiCo), logistics (Primafrío, Golosinas Vidal, Lidl), tourism (Empresas Phoenix, Roc Hotels), and industry (Noksel, Corvus, and SK Lubricants, among others).

"FDI Intelligence reported this year that 'digitally-enhanced economic development organizations are making traditional ones obsolete,'" continues Ubalde. "Businesses will be drawn to regions that allow for continuous, interactive and easily accessible data collection that helps them evaluate and choose where to locate their business."

Acquired by the Financial Times nearly two years ago, GIS Planning continues to leverage FT resources, including a robust data center in Belfast, to expand its offerings across Europe.

The feature can be accessed directly at Murcia.ZoomProspector.com.

About GIS Planning

GIS Planning is the world leader in online economic development solutions. Over 17,000 United States cities in 44 states are served by GIS Planning's Geographic Information System (GIS) Software, which provides real estate, demographic, and industry data to help businesses and site selection professionals select optimal geographic locations through powerful online mapping analysis. GIS Planning's software as a service helps local communities grow their economies through business investment. http://www.GISPlanning.com

About Invest in Murcia

Invest in Murcia is a part of the Investment and Industrial Infrastructures department at the Instituto de Fomento (Murcia Regional Development Agency), a government-owned agency promoting investments, foreign trade, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It assists Murcian and foreign companies to set up operations and expand in the region. It was initially funded in 2001 and is one of the oldest Investment Promotion Agencies in Spain. In 17 years, it has managed 873 investment projects and confirmed €9.3 billion in investments that have created 9,300 jobs. It was named a top 10 European investment region in fDi's 2014 Regions and Cities of the Future. Today it has a portfolio of 91 investment projects. http://www.investinmurcia.com

SOURCE GIS Planning