Polaris Industries swooped in in 2011, purchasing Indian Motorcycles and relocating operations to Spirit Lake, Iowa.

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Some are relocating operations from the coast to smaller, cheaper cities to tap new markets for talent.

ECONOMIST: Human resources

Advanced technology companies in the region that have been moving their manufacturing operations to China are now relocating their research, development, and innovation operations there as well.

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Matt Rothschild, head of retail and sales operations, said in an interview that relocating has given the workforce a "start-up mentality, a challenger mind-set" in the critical U.S. market.

WSJ: Nokia Late to the Silicon Valley Party

Sarah Bradley, Symington's operations director, said she expected to see more UK firms relocating production back home from China because it was cheaper to do so.

BBC: Symington's moves Chinese noodle work to Leeds

Tellingly, while Elan will still formally be based in Dublin, Martin plans on relocating from New York to the West Coast of the U.S., where Elan's research operations are based.

FORBES: Quirky bookkeeping slows down the drugmaker.