DT #662 Why Trust, Talent, and Infrastructure Drive Site Selection Success
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Release Date: 07/15/2026
DT #662 Why Trust, Talent, and Infrastructure Drive Site Selection Success
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What separates communities that win major investments from those that get left behind? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with , Vice President of , to explore the increasingly complex world of site selection and the factors shaping the future of U.S. manufacturing. Tess shares how companies evaluate locations through the lens of long-term risk, infrastructure capacity, workforce strength, and community readiness. With major investment decisions carrying consequences for decades, preparation and execution have never been more important. A major theme throughout the conversation is...
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DT #663 Data-Driven Economic Development in a Changing World
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What does it take to build resilient communities in an era of rapid economic change? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with , Executive Director of the , about the policies, partnerships, and strategies shaping economic growth across New York. Ryan shares insights on how data-driven decision-making is helping communities plan for the future, attract investment, and navigate increasingly complex economic challenges. From workforce development to infrastructure planning, the conversation highlights the importance of grounding strategy in reliable research and long-term thinking. A major...
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DT #660 The Atlanta Beltline Story: Balancing Growth, Equity, and Opportunity
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What does it take to transform a community while ensuring everyone benefits from the growth? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with , President & CEO of , about one of the most ambitious community redevelopment projects in the United States. Clyde shares his unique journey from healthcare leadership into economic development and explains how large-scale infrastructure projects can serve as catalysts for economic growth, community revitalization, and long-term opportunity. A major focus of the conversation is community-led development. Rather than imposing change from the top down,...
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DT #661 How Authentic Community Branding Drives Growth
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What makes some communities stand out while others struggle to tell their story? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with , CEO of , about the growing importance of communication, branding, and storytelling in economic development. Drawing on her experience in both economic development and public relations, Sandy explains why authentic storytelling has become one of the most powerful tools communities can use to attract investment, build trust, and create lasting connections. The conversation explores common communication mistakes organizations make, the importance of maintaining...
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DT #658 Building Stronger Communities Through Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What if the next wave of economic growth starts with local entrepreneurs? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with of to explore how entrepreneurship-led economic development can help communities build stronger, more resilient economies. Rob shares how communities—especially rural ones—can leverage their unique assets to support entrepreneurs, strengthen local ecosystems, and create long-term growth from within. The conversation highlights SourceLink’s ecosystem approach, focusing on how connecting entrepreneurs to the right resources, partners, and support networks can reduce...
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DT #659 How Public-Private Partnerships Are Reshaping Economic Development
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What role do public-private partnerships play in the future of economic development? In this panel episode of Develop This!, explores the evolving PPP landscape with , , and , bringing together perspectives from the U.S. and Europe. The conversation dives into how economic development organizations are rethinking funding models, private sector engagement, and long-term sustainability in a changing global environment. A major focus is funding diversification. The panel discusses why stable, flexible funding matters—and how structured campaigns can help formalize private sector participation...
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DT #656 Growth vs Identity: The Real Cost of Austin’s Tech Boom
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What happens when rapid tech growth collides with a city’s cultural identity? In this episode of Develop This!, is joined by and of to explore the evolution of Austin’s tech boom—and the social and economic trade-offs that come with it. Once known for its distinct culture and creative energy, Austin has become one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the U.S. But as investment and innovation accelerate, the conversation turns to a harder question: what gets lost in the process? The discussion unpacks the growing tensions between economic expansion and community impact, including...
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DT #657 Beyond Small: Winning Strategies for Rural Economic Development
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What does it take for rural communities to compete and grow in today’s economy? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with , EVP of the , to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping rural economic development. Jolene shares her journey from nonprofit leadership into economic development and explains how collaboration, creativity, and community trust play critical roles in driving regional growth. The conversation highlights how Great Falls is leveraging local strengths to support entrepreneurship, attract investment, and create long-term economic momentum. Workforce and housing...
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DT #654 Rebuilding Better: How New Orleans Turned Disaster Into Long-Term Economic Growth
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What does it take to rebuild an economy after a disaster—and turn it into a model for long-term growth? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with , CEO of , to explore lessons learned from leading economic recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina and 9/11. Michael shares how New Orleans approached rebuilding not just infrastructure, but its entire economic foundation—balancing urgency with long-term strategy, and recovery with reinvention. A major theme is the importance of community involvement in shaping recovery efforts. He emphasizes that post-disaster planning cannot be top-down,...
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DT #655 Building Thriving Communities: Leadership, Trust, and the Power of Regional
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What does it take to build thriving communities across an entire region? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with to explore her unique journey from law enforcement to economic development—and the leadership lessons she’s learned along the way. Drawing from decades of experience in regional collaboration and workforce strategy, Barb shares how trust, authenticity, and long-term relationship building have helped shape successful community development efforts across Wisconsin. A major focus of the conversation is workforce development, particularly the growing importance of digital...
info_outlineWhat separates communities that win major investments from those that get left behind?
In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Tess Fay, Vice President of Global Location Strategies, to explore the increasingly complex world of site selection and the factors shaping the future of U.S. manufacturing.
Tess shares how companies evaluate locations through the lens of long-term risk, infrastructure capacity, workforce strength, and community readiness. With major investment decisions carrying consequences for decades, preparation and execution have never been more important.
A major theme throughout the conversation is trust. Tess explains why communities that communicate clearly, maintain realistic timelines, and consistently deliver on commitments build the credibility needed to compete for large-scale projects.
The discussion also dives into growing infrastructure challenges, particularly around energy availability. As demand for manufacturing and industrial development continues to grow, access to reliable power is becoming one of the most critical factors in site selection.
Workforce resilience, strategic partnerships, and strong local leadership also emerge as essential ingredients for long-term success, helping communities adapt to changing economic conditions and evolving industry needs.
A key takeaway? Winning projects isn't just about having a site available—it's about being prepared, building trust, and demonstrating long-term capability.
Key Takeaways
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Major site selection decisions are shaped by long-term business needs
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Infrastructure and energy availability are becoming critical competitive factors
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Trust and credibility play a major role in investment decisions
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Workforce resilience is essential for sustainable growth
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Strategic partnerships strengthen community competitiveness
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Preparation and execution often determine which communities win projects
Key Topics Covered
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Site selection complexity and scarcity management
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Community preparation and trust-building
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Infrastructure readiness and energy challenges
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Workforce resiliency and sustainability
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Strategic partnerships and political will
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The future of U.S. manufacturing
Sound Bites
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“Decisions impact the company's future for decades.”
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“Buttoned-up timelines build trust and credibility.”
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“Trust and solutions orientation build confidence.”