Week 6: Now / Next / Later

Updated Apr 16, 2026

Universe: 52 U.S. metros with qualifying catalyst activity Scoring: Hero × Progress composite (0–10) Tier boundaries: NOW 7.5–10.0 / NEXT 5.5–7.4 / LATER 3.5–5.4 / FUNNEL <3.5

7.5–10.0 → Deploy capital within 90 days

5.5–7.4 → Underwrite now, set trigger

3.5–5.4 → Monitor quarterly — Top 5 only

▼ Memphis, TN — Dropped from LATER (3.6) to FUNNEL (2.55). The Week 5 critical alert on major employer job cuts has now affected the score. No longer in active consideration.

▲ Columbus, OH — Returns to the board at NOW #1 (8.55), up from Excluded in Week 2. Intel fab construction progress and the Anduril/Honda/Amazon catalyst stack have advanced sufficiently to cross the threshold. The framework excluded Columbus in Week 2 because the opportunity had compressed — this re-entry reflects new catalyst layering, not a reversal.

▲ Louisville, KY — Jumps from FUNNEL (3.0) to LATER (5.46) in a single cycle. GE Appliances' Appliance Park investment thesis has matured enough to warrant active monitoring.

▲ Syracuse, NY — Score advances from 4.2 to 5.12 following continued Micron ecosystem development. Still a 2030 production timeline, but the supplier and workforce infrastructure building around the fab is accelerating.

▼ Kansas City, MO — Slides from NEXT (6.0) to LATER (5.33). Still a strong market; the Panasonic stack is real. Progress scoring reflects the catalyst moving further into its operational arc.

Scoring universe: 52 U.S. metros with qualifying catalyst activity as of Apr 16, 2026 Hero × Progress framework. Not investment advice.