DT #627 The Future of Grants: AI, Federal Changes, and New Funding Strategies for Economic Developers
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Release Date: 03/11/2026
DT #628 Trust, Transparency, and Tough Decisions: Ethics in Economic Development
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Ethics is the invisible foundation of successful economic development. In this episode of Develop This!, we explore why professional integrity is essential to building trust, guiding difficult decisions, and sustaining long-term community growth. interviews , a longtime educator and leader in economic development ethics, about how ethical standards have evolved in the profession—and why they matter more than ever in today’s complex environment. From navigating gray areas in deal-making to understanding the role of formal codes of ethics and professional accountability, Jim shares insights...
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DT #627 The Future of Grants: AI, Federal Changes, and New Funding Strategies for Economic Developers
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
The grant landscape is shifting quickly — and economic developers need to be ready. In this episode of Develop This!, sits down with , founder of , to explore what’s ahead for grants, funding, and economic development in 2026. Federal policy changes are reshaping funding opportunities, including a shift away from centralized systems like Grants.gov toward department-specific platforms. At the same time, economic developers are facing increased pressure to secure funding with fewer resources. Adrian shares how communities can adapt by diversifying funding sources, strengthening...
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DT #623 Proof, Not Potential: What Site Selectors Really Look For
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
In this episode of Develop This!, sits down with “America’s factory whisperer,” , President & CEO of , for a candid and strategic conversation about the realities of site selection in today’s turbulent environment. With more than two decades guiding large manufacturing and heavy industrial projects, Didi shares insider insight into how companies actually make location decisions — and where communities often fall short. From compressed project timelines to the reshoring debate, from data centers reshaping energy markets to the growing importance of investment-ready sites, this...
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DT #625 JetZero Lands in Greensboro: North Carolina’s Largest Economic Development Win
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
The largest economic development project in North Carolina history is taking flight. In this episode of Develop This!, guests and take listeners behind the scenes of JetZero’s monumental decision to build a $4.7 billion advanced manufacturing facility in Greensboro, North Carolina — a project expected to create more than 14,500 jobs. JetZero’s aerospace manufacturing campus isn’t just another announcement. It represents a transformational moment for Greensboro, the Piedmont Triad region, and the entire state. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why JetZero selected Greensboro and the...
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DT #626 Stronger Together: The Strategic Merger Reshaping Economic Development Fundraising
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
In this episode of Develop This!, host Dennis Fraise sits down with and to discuss the strategic merger of and This isn’t a consolidation story — it’s a growth strategy. Brian shares how Convergent Nonprofit Solutions was founded during the 2008 financial crisis to bring greater efficiency and innovation to nonprofit fundraising. Clint reflects on Resource Development Group’s roots dating back to 1995, focusing exclusively on economic development fundraising and campaign strategy. Together, they unpack: Why today’s economic development organizations require increasingly...
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DT #622 Purpose, Control & Courage: Why the Next Generation Is Choosing Entrepreneurship Mark C. Perna
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
In this forward-looking episode of Develop This!, sits down with acclaimed speaker, author, and CEO to unpack one of the most important shifts facing economic and community development professionals today: the rise of the entrepreneurial generation. With 84% of Gen Z expressing interest in entrepreneurship, communities must rethink how they build talent pipelines, support startups, and cultivate opportunity. Mark shares insights from his 27+ years of building impactful businesses and explains why today’s youth view risk, safety, and control differently than previous generations. For them,...
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DT #624 Beyond the Terminal: Reframing Community Airports as Economic Engines
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
In this episode of Develop This!, host sits down with , Chief Financial Officer and founding member of , to explore the powerful — and often overlooked — role of community airports in economic development. Drawing from his professional expertise and personal passion for aviation, Ron makes a compelling case for why community airports must be viewed not as line-item expenses, but as anchor institutions that drive investment, healthcare access, business recruitment, and long-term growth. From general aviation to essential air service, airport marketing to emerging aviation technology, this...
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DT #620 The Power of Place: What U.S. Communities Can Learn from Australia’s Country University Centers
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Show Notes In this episode of Develop This!, sits down with from Brisbane to explore one of the most innovative and community-driven education and workforce models in the world: Country University Centers (CUCs). Designed to expand access to tertiary education in regional and rural Australia, CUCs are community-led, community-run facilities that allow students to pursue university degrees without leaving their hometowns. The result? Stronger local economies, reduced brain drain, and a new generation of homegrown talent fueling regional prosperity. Paul shares how this model emerged, why it...
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DT #621 Beyond the RFP: How Communities Win in Today’s Site Selection Landscape
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Show Notes In this episode of Develop This!, welcomes , Vice President at , for a wide-ranging conversation on how the role of economic developers is rapidly expanding—and what that means for communities trying to compete for investment and jobs. As a proud partner of the , Develop This! continues its mission of connecting economic developers with the site selection profession. This episode reflects that shared commitment: helping communities better understand how projects are evaluated and what it truly takes to deliver results. Andrew explains how the pandemic accelerated a shift away...
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DT #614 Raising the Bar on Site Readiness: Standards, Speed, and Site Selection
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
In this episode of Develop This!, host sits down with , Project Principal at , to unpack one of the most critical challenges facing communities today: . With more than 30 years of global consulting experience and nearly 400 site selection engagements across manufacturing, headquarters, R&D, technology, and shared services, Phil brings a site selector’s unfiltered perspective on how the site selection landscape has fundamentally changed—and why many communities are struggling to keep up. The conversation explores how manufacturing site selection projects now move at hyper speed, why...
info_outlineThe grant landscape is shifting quickly — and economic developers need to be ready.
In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise sits down with Adrian Spencer, founder of Grant Guru, to explore what’s ahead for grants, funding, and economic development in 2026.
Federal policy changes are reshaping funding opportunities, including a shift away from centralized systems like Grants.gov toward department-specific platforms. At the same time, economic developers are facing increased pressure to secure funding with fewer resources.
Adrian shares how communities can adapt by diversifying funding sources, strengthening partnerships, and embracing new tools like AI while maintaining strong oversight and strategy.
The conversation also explores emerging trends, including state-level grant initiatives, community collaboration, and the growing role of faith-based organizations in addressing economic and social challenges.
Finally, Dennis and Adrian discuss why impact assessment is becoming essential for winning grants and how economic developers can better demonstrate the value of their projects to funders.
If your community relies on grants to fund growth, infrastructure, or workforce initiatives, this episode offers practical insight into how to stay competitive in the evolving funding landscape.
Download our free White Paper here (by providing a name/email): https://pages.grantguru.com/state-of-play-us-2025
Mention that you heard about GrantGuru on Develop This! and receive a 20% discount
Key Topics Covered
- How federal policy changes are reshaping the grant landscape
- The shift from Grants.gov to department-specific funding platforms
- Why state governments may expand funding programs
- Strategies for diversifying funding sources
- The growing importance of community collaboration in grant applications
- How faith-based organizations are becoming key partners in community development
- The opportunities created by former federal employees re-entering the workforce
- How AI is changing grant research and development
- Why impact measurement is critical for securing future funding
Sound Bites
- “Grants.gov is becoming less reliable.”
- “States are going to step up their grant game.”
- “AI is already transforming grant development.”
- “Grant seeking should be a community effort.”
- “Funders want proof of impact, not just good ideas.”