DT #610 Looking Ahead to 2026: Chris Lloyd - Economic Development Trends You Can’t Ignore
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Release Date: 01/14/2026
DT #612 Building Where It’s Needed Most: A Developer’s Take on Workforce Housing
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Housing has become one of the most urgent—and complex—challenges facing economic developers today. In this episode of , host sits down with , Owner and President of , , , and a housing developer. Speaking candidly from a developer’s perspective, Michael shares what it really takes to make housing projects work in small and mid-sized communities—and why so many well-intentioned plans never move from concept to construction. Drawing on his diverse portfolio across construction, real estate, energy, and community-focused development, Michael explains how housing challenges are deeply...
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DT #617 What’s Next for Communities and Leadership with Will Baggett
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
In this special Develop This! Crystal Ball Series episode, host welcomes speaker and author for a wide-ranging conversation about what the future holds for leadership, communities, and economic development in 2026. Dennis and Will explore how AI, shifting cultural values, and new economic forces are reshaping communities. They discuss why human connection may become a competitive advantage, how third spaces and phone-free environments are emerging as a correction to digital overload, and why adaptability is the most valuable leadership skill of the next decade. The conversation also dives...
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DT #618 The Site Selectors Guild Explained: Standards, Strategy, and the Future of Site Selection
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
In this episode of Develop This!, host sits down with , Managing Director of the . This episode continues the relationship between the Develop This! Podcast and the Site Selectors Guild, offering listeners direct insight into how site selectors think, lead, and shape economic development outcomes. Samantha shares her unique career journey and how early leadership experiences helped shape her holistic approach to site selection. The conversation explores why community understanding is just as important as data, how the Guild promotes integrity and objectivity in the profession, and why member...
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DT #611 From First Impression to Final Decision: The Art and Science of the Site Visit
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Site visits can make—or break—an economic development project. In this episode of , host is joined by , Executive Managing Director of and one of the nation’s most respected voices in site selection and economic development. With more than 30 years of experience across local and state government, nonprofit leadership, and the private sector, Larry has worked on nearly 600 projects, generating $12 billion in capital investment, creating 100,000+ jobs, and retaining more than 200,000 existing jobs. A former Chair of the . Larry brings unmatched insight into what site consultants and...
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DT #616 The Future of Economic Development: Golden Shovel’s 2026 Crystal Ball
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Episode Summary: In this episode of the , host sits down with , Partner & CEO, and , President of as part of the Develop This! 2026 Crystal Ball Series. Together, they explore how the economic development landscape is rapidly evolving—and what professionals must do now to prepare for 2026 and beyond. The conversation dives into the game-changing role of artificial intelligence, the growing importance of community engagement, and why economic developers must become champions of their own organizations and regions. Aaron and Bethany discuss how communities often misdiagnose their...
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DT #613 Community Banks and Economic Development: Why Local Relationships Still Matter
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Community banks play a critical—yet often underappreciated—role in economic development. In this episode of Develop This!, the #1 podcast for economic development professionals, host sits down with , President and CEO of in Fort Madison, Iowa, to explore how community banking fuels local economies, supports small businesses, and strengthens rural communities. Matt shares his career journey from working at large financial institutions to leading a community bank and explains why relationship-based banking remains essential to sustainable economic development. Together, Dennis and Matt...
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DT #615 The Future of Funding: How EDOs Can Thrive in an Uncertain 2026
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Show Notes As part of the 2026 Crystal Ball Series, host sits down with , Principal at , to explore what lies ahead for economic development organization (EDO) funding as communities head toward 2026. With public funding under pressure and competition for private dollars increasing, this episode delivers a candid, practical conversation about risk management, revenue diversification, and leadership strategy. Andy draws on his national experience working alongside EDOs, chambers, and nonprofit organizations to explain why some communities will struggle—and why others will emerge stronger...
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DT #610 Looking Ahead to 2026: Chris Lloyd - Economic Development Trends You Can’t Ignore
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
As Develop This! kicks off its Crystal Ball series for 2026, host is joined by , Senior Vice President and Director of Infrastructure and Economic Development at , for a forward-looking conversation on the forces shaping the future of economic development in partnrship with the Chris brings a national perspective on how federal tax policy, state conformity, executive orders, and the growing affordability agenda are influencing site selection and investment decisions. The discussion explores why tools like immediate expensing of capital matter more than ever, how executive actions can...
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DT #609 Crystal Ball 2026: Leadership, Talent, and the Future of Economic Development with Danielle Casey
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
As part of the Develop This! Crystal Ball Series kicking off 2026, host sits down with , President & CEO of the and incoming Board Chair, for a candid and forward-looking conversation on leadership, career evolution, and the future of economic development. Danielle shares insights from her career transition from Albuquerque to Las Vegas and reflects on how unplanned opportunities often shape meaningful leadership journeys. Together, Dennis and Danielle explore the evolving demands placed on economic development professionals—from rapid technological change and demographic shifts...
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DT #607 Crystal Ball 2026: Nathan Ohle on the Future of Economic Development, Leadership & IEDC at 100
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
As part of the Develop This! Crystal Ball Series kicking off 2026, host sits down with , President & CEO of the , for a wide-ranging conversation on where the profession is headed—and how leaders can prepare for what’s next. Nathan shares insights from his extensive travels and conversations with economic developers across the country, highlighting how the role of the practitioner is evolving. From deeper engagement with rural communities to increased cross-sector collaboration, economic development is becoming more complex—and more impactful—than ever. The discussion also...
info_outlineAs Develop This! kicks off its Crystal Ball series for 2026, host Dennis Fraise is joined by Chris Lloyd, Senior Vice President and Director of Infrastructure and Economic Development at McGuireWoods Consulting, for a forward-looking conversation on the forces shaping the future of economic development in partnrship with the Site Selectors Guild.
Chris brings a national perspective on how federal tax policy, state conformity, executive orders, and the growing affordability agenda are influencing site selection and investment decisions. The discussion explores why tools like immediate expensing of capital matter more than ever, how executive actions can accelerate permitting, and why affordability—especially housing—has become a central factor for companies choosing where to locate.
The conversation also dives into evolving site selection criteria, from power availability and workforce readiness to speed-to-market pressures and the growing role of AI and data centers. Chris underscores that while megaprojects capture headlines, smaller, strategic wins are increasingly critical for community success.
Throughout the episode, one theme stands out: economic development is a storytelling business. Chris explains why economic developers must clearly articulate their community’s value proposition while preparing for risk, disruption, and the unexpected.
This episode offers practical insights and strategic foresight for community and economic development professionals preparing for 2026 and beyond.
Key Takeaways
- Major trends—including AI and data centers—are reshaping economic development strategies
- Immediate expensing of capital remains a powerful incentive for project decisions
- State conformity with federal tax policy can be a decisive site selection factor
- Executive orders can significantly streamline permitting and project timelines
- Affordability is now a core consideration in corporate location decisions
- Public-private partnerships play a growing role in workforce and housing solutions
- Power, workforce, and speed to market remain essential site selection criteria
- Effective community storytelling is critical to winning investment
- Smaller, targeted projects are gaining importance alongside megaprojects
- Communities must have “break glass” contingency plans for emergencies and disruptions