DT #593 How GrantGuru Helps Communities Compete for Funding
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Release Date: 10/29/2025
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_outlineIn this episode of Develop This!, host Dennis Fraise sits down with Adrian Spencer, Co-Founder and Director of GrantGuru, the world’s largest aggregator of grants and funding programs. Together, they explore how Grant Guru is transforming the way communities, local governments, and nonprofits access funding opportunities.
Adrian shares his unlikely journey from geology to grant funding, the evolution of GrantGuru into a global grants intelligence platform, and how its technology helps simplify and democratize access to more than 163,000 active grants worth over $3.5 trillion.
Listeners will learn how economic developers can leverage GrantGuru to identify relevant programs, support local businesses and nonprofits, and strategically use grants as a tool for long-term community growth. Adrian and Dennis also dive into the challenge of keeping grant data current, designing user-friendly tools, and the importance of pairing funding with strategic thinking and local impact.
Whether you’re a small-town economic developer or part of a regional organization, this conversation offers practical insights into how technology can make the complex world of grants more accessible, transparent, and effective.
Key Takeaways
- Adrian Spencer’s unconventional path from geologist to grant funding expert
- Grant Guru aggregates over 163,000 grants valued at $3.5 trillion worldwide
- The platform’s mission: democratize access to funding for all communities
- How economic developers can simplify and streamline grant searches
- The importance of strategic alignment between grants and community goals
- Insights into how technology and data power modern grant discovery
- Why maintaining accurate, up-to-date information is key for success
- Grant funding as a lever for community empowerment and resilience
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