@Chukwudi Motanya try calling the local Chamber of Commerce. you will be surprise how helpful they could be, also ask them where is the path of progress and if they know of any new companies moving to town. 

To see if your block walls are full of water, you can drill a hole near the base into one of the "chambers" of the block (this is what the waterproofing companies will do to keep the water from filling the wall once they have installed the french drain system).

Some of the best kinds of meetings are real estate investors in America the meetings as well as chambers of commerce and business networking groups.

Chamber of commerce websites, tourism boards, etc. might be particularly helpful. 

I also joined the chamber.

Check in with the city's Chamber of Commerce or as Agent that is in the area you are looking in.

I can get the word out to the Chamber of Commerce in Menomonie and I have  some connections that can get the word out to the rotary club in the area as well.

I networked down at the chamber of commerce a bunch too.In terms of investment properties there's lots of ways to prospect including absentee owners, financial advisors (like I mentioned), expireds.

Then go to the markets you like the growth in sale in and look at their chamber of commerce websites and see if they have any data to offer you.

Talk to the Chamber of Commerce and find out the development plans for the next decade and you will understand better why you are in a great area to make serious money.