DT #605 From Tariffs to Talent: What’s Shaping Corporate Location Decisions Today
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Release Date: 12/10/2025
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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 Tracey Hyatt Bosman, Managing Director at Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Company and a leading expert in location economics and site selection, for a timely conversation about how tariffs, policy volatility, and global uncertainty are reshaping corporate investment decisions.
This episode is presented in partnership with the Site Selectors Guild, highlighting how collaboration between economic developers and professional site selectors leads to better outcomes for communities and companies alike.
Tracey shares insights from her work at BLS & Company, explaining why successful projects must create value on both sides of the deal table—and how site selection has evolved into a highly multidisciplinary practice. The discussion explores why data centers and life sciences remain the most active sectors, how corporations are reacting to unpredictable tariff policies, and what economic developers need to understand to stay competitive.
From stockpiling strategies to rising labor costs, automation, and workforce constraints, this episode delivers practical, real-world perspective on corporate location strategy in today’s unpredictable trade environment. Tracey also emphasizes the growing role of the C-suite in navigating risk—and the importance of flexibility and adaptability for communities hoping to win transformative projects.
Whether you’re an economic developer, site selector, or community leader, this episode offers critical insight into how deals are getting done—and what it takes to stay relevant in a constantly changing landscape.
Takeaways
- BLS & Company specializes in location economics and site selection.
- Successful projects require value creation for both clients and communities.
- Site selection is a multidisciplinary field requiring diverse expertise.
- Data centers and life sciences are currently the most active sectors.
- Tariff policies are causing mixed reactions in investment decisions.
- Companies are employing strategies like stockpiling and warehousing.
- C-suite executives are crucial in navigating tariff-related decisions.
- Labor costs and automation are key considerations in site selection.
- Economic developers must maintain strong relationships with site selectors.
- Flexibility and adaptability are essential in the current economic climate.