DT #664 30 Years of Site Selection Lessons from Matt Szuhaj
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Release Date: 07/22/2026
DT #664 30 Years of Site Selection Lessons from Matt Szuhaj
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
How is technology changing the way communities compete for investment and talent? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with , EVP of , to explore more than three decades of change in site selection and economic development. Drawing on 30 years of experience, Matt shares how location strategy has evolved from a focus on cost and infrastructure to a more complex evaluation of talent, quality of life, community identity, and long-term competitiveness. A major focus of the conversation is artificial intelligence and its growing influence on economic development. Matt explains how AI is...
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DT #665 How Great Leaders Unite a Multi-Generational Workforce
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
How can leaders build stronger teams in a workplace shaped by multiple generations? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with to explore how generational differences, economic realities, and rapid technological change are reshaping today's workforce. Mark shares insights into the strengths and challenges of working across generations—from Baby Boomers to Gen Z—and explains why understanding different perspectives is essential for building collaborative, high-performing teams. A major focus of the conversation is the changing economic landscape facing younger workers. Rising housing...
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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...
info_outlineHow is technology changing the way communities compete for investment and talent?
In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Matt Szuhaj, EVP of Strategic Development Group, to explore more than three decades of change in site selection and economic development.
Drawing on 30 years of experience, Matt shares how location strategy has evolved from a focus on cost and infrastructure to a more complex evaluation of talent, quality of life, community identity, and long-term competitiveness.
A major focus of the conversation is artificial intelligence and its growing influence on economic development. Matt explains how AI is accelerating access to information and reshaping decision-making, while emphasizing that human judgment, experience, and intuition remain essential.
The discussion also explores how communities can better position themselves in an AI-driven world through strong branding, accurate data, and proactive storytelling. For rural communities, emerging technologies and remote work trends may create new opportunities to attract residents, businesses, and investment.
Throughout the episode, Matt highlights the importance of trust, credibility, and first impressions—factors that continue to play a critical role in site selection despite advances in technology.
A key takeaway? Technology may change the tools, but successful economic development still depends on strong communities, clear messaging, and trusted relationships.
Key Takeaways
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AI is transforming how information is gathered and analyzed
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Human experience and intuition remain critical in decision-making
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Community branding is increasingly important in the AI era
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Rural communities have new opportunities through remote work and technology
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Trust and credibility continue to influence site selection decisions
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Strong data and storytelling help communities stand out
Key Topics Covered
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Evolution of location strategy over 30 years
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AI and economic development decision-making
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Community branding and character of life
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Rural communities and remote work opportunities
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Data, marketing, and investment attraction
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Trust and first impressions in site selection
Sound Bites
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“AI accelerates access to information.”
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“AI doesn’t have intuition or experience.”
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“Control your narrative in the AI age.”