DT #610 Looking Ahead to 2026: Chris Lloyd - Economic Development Trends You Can’t Ignore
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Release Date: 01/14/2026
DT #629 People First: Rethinking Economic Development for Stronger Communities
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
People First: Rethinking Economic Development with Maggie Strong Economic development has long focused on transactions—deals, incentives, and projects. But the communities thriving today are doing something different: they’re putting people at the center of the strategy. In this episode of the Develop This! Podcast, host sits down with , founder of , to explore how authentic community engagement can unlock stronger, more sustainable economic growth. With nearly two decades of experience in economic development strategy, marketing, and community visioning, Maggie shares practical insights...
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DT #630 The Succession Crisis No One Is Talking About in Economic Development
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Across America, thousands of business owners are quietly approaching retirement — and many have no succession plan in place. For communities, that represents a major economic risk: lost jobs, closed storefronts, and the potential loss of locally rooted businesses. In this episode of Develop This!, host sits down with , Executive Director of the , to explore how communities can turn the coming wave of business transitions into an economic development opportunity. Mark shares insights from , an innovative program helping business owners prepare for exit while connecting them with the next...
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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...
info_outlineAs Develop This! kicks off its Crystal Ball series for 2026, host Dennis Fraise is joined by Chris Lloyd, Senior Vice President and Director of Infrastructure and Economic Development at McGuireWoods Consulting, for a forward-looking conversation on the forces shaping the future of economic development in partnrship with the Site Selectors Guild.
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 accelerate permitting, and why affordability—especially housing—has become a central factor for companies choosing where to locate.
The conversation also dives into evolving site selection criteria, from power availability and workforce readiness to speed-to-market pressures and the growing role of AI and data centers. Chris underscores that while megaprojects capture headlines, smaller, strategic wins are increasingly critical for community success.
Throughout the episode, one theme stands out: economic development is a storytelling business. Chris explains why economic developers must clearly articulate their community’s value proposition while preparing for risk, disruption, and the unexpected.
This episode offers practical insights and strategic foresight for community and economic development professionals preparing for 2026 and beyond.
Key Takeaways
- Major trends—including AI and data centers—are reshaping economic development strategies
- Immediate expensing of capital remains a powerful incentive for project decisions
- State conformity with federal tax policy can be a decisive site selection factor
- Executive orders can significantly streamline permitting and project timelines
- Affordability is now a core consideration in corporate location decisions
- Public-private partnerships play a growing role in workforce and housing solutions
- Power, workforce, and speed to market remain essential site selection criteria
- Effective community storytelling is critical to winning investment
- Smaller, targeted projects are gaining importance alongside megaprojects
- Communities must have “break glass” contingency plans for emergencies and disruptions