app02 Mon, 21 Sep 2026 19:48:14 +0000 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development - Episodes Tagged with “Artificial Intelligence” https://podcast.econdevshow.com/tags/artificial%20intelligence Mon, 07 Sep 2026 00:15:00 -0500 Dane Carlson explores the strategies, ideas, and insights that are driving economic development forward into the future. You'll hear new insights from passionate ED's about their successes and struggles, and you'll learn from attraction and retention experts about how to apply actionable strategies inside your EDO. We'll help take your organization, your community, and your career to the next level. en-us episodic Actionable economic development strategies and stories Dane Carlson Dane Carlson explores the strategies, ideas, and insights that are driving economic development forward into the future. You'll hear new insights from passionate ED's about their successes and struggles, and you'll learn from attraction and retention experts about how to apply actionable strategies inside your EDO. We'll help take your organization, your community, and your career to the next level. no econ dev, economic development, ed Dane Carlson show@econdevshow.com 235: Site Selection Doesn't Start With the Site with Thane Hutcheson https://podcast.econdevshow.com/235 3a15bce5-ed2c-4c0a-b9de-2b247e580119 Mon, 07 Sep 2026 00:15:00 -0500 Dane Carlson 235 Site Selection Doesn't Start With the Site with Thane Hutcheson full Dane Carlson Thane Hutcheson explains how companies actually choose locations, what economic developers often misunderstand about site selection, and why better data and AI should create more time for the human work that wins projects. 28:54 no <p>In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane talks with Thane Hutcheson about what site selection looks like from the company side of the table, beginning with why the process often starts with markets, labor, supply chains, and operating conditions rather than a specific piece of dirt. </p> <p>Thane explains how companies narrow their choices, why falling in love with a community or site too early can create problems, and what the best economic development teams do differently—from submitting only sites that actually fit to helping visiting companies visualize what long-term success in the community would look like. </p> <p>They also discuss incentives, the growing role of AI in professional services, and why automating data gathering and analytical work can free economic developers and consultants to spend more time building relationships, exercising judgment, and doing the work that still requires humans.</p> <p><a href="https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/" rel="nofollow noopener">Like this show? Please leave us a review here</a> — even one sentence helps! </p> <h2>10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers</h2> <ol> <li> <strong>Understand the market-level decision before pitching individual sites.</strong> Companies may narrow locations based on labor availability, labor costs, specialized occupations, supply chains, utility costs, and other operating factors before they ever start comparing properties.</li> <li> <strong>Don't lead with dirt when the project isn't ready for dirt.</strong> Learn what the company is actually solving for first. A perfect site in the wrong labor market or supply-chain location may never be competitive.</li> <li> <strong>Submit fewer, better-fitting properties.</strong> If an RFI asks for 20–50 acres with specific characteristics, don't pad the response with properties that obviously fall outside the requirements. Protect the company's time and your own.</li> <li> <strong>Know what surrounds the site, not just what is on it.</strong> Be ready to explain neighboring uses, infrastructure, businesses, access, and the larger environment in which the company would operate.</li> <li> <strong>Understand your community's goals and resources.</strong> Know how a project aligns with local priorities and what financial and non-financial resources—including workforce training and community-college partnerships—you can realistically bring to the table.</li> <li> <strong>Help prospects visualize operating in your community.</strong> During site visits, answer the questions behind the spreadsheet: Where would executives and employees live? Where would their children attend school? Which airport would they use? What would the drive look like?</li> <li> <strong>Bring successful local businesses into the conversation.</strong> Give prospects opportunities to hear from companies already succeeding in your community. Their experience can help establish confidence that the prospect can succeed there too.</li> <li> <strong>Treat a location decision as a long-term relationship.</strong> Thane describes these decisions as potentially 50-year commitments. Think beyond winning the announcement and demonstrate why the company can operate successfully over the long haul.</li> <li> <strong>Use AI to gather and organize information, not replace judgment.</strong> AI can help process datasets, collect information, and accelerate analytical work, but ranking alternatives, evaluating sites, negotiating incentives, and making final decisions still require experience and judgment.</li> <li> <strong>Spend the time AI saves on people.</strong> Use automation to create more room for business retention visits, prospect relationships, community engagement, conferences, conversations, and the other human interactions technology cannot replicate. Special Guest: Thane Hutcheson.</li> </ol> econdev, economic development, eco devo, site selection, economic development, corporate location strategy, labor markets, workforce, incentives negotiation, site visits, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, business attraction In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane talks with Thane Hutcheson about what site selection looks like from the company side of the table, beginning with why the process often starts with markets, labor, supply chains, and operating conditions rather than a specific piece of dirt.

Thane explains how companies narrow their choices, why falling in love with a community or site too early can create problems, and what the best economic development teams do differently—from submitting only sites that actually fit to helping visiting companies visualize what long-term success in the community would look like.

They also discuss incentives, the growing role of AI in professional services, and why automating data gathering and analytical work can free economic developers and consultants to spend more time building relationships, exercising judgment, and doing the work that still requires humans.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Understand the market-level decision before pitching individual sites. Companies may narrow locations based on labor availability, labor costs, specialized occupations, supply chains, utility costs, and other operating factors before they ever start comparing properties.
  2. Don't lead with dirt when the project isn't ready for dirt. Learn what the company is actually solving for first. A perfect site in the wrong labor market or supply-chain location may never be competitive.
  3. Submit fewer, better-fitting properties. If an RFI asks for 20–50 acres with specific characteristics, don't pad the response with properties that obviously fall outside the requirements. Protect the company's time and your own.
  4. Know what surrounds the site, not just what is on it. Be ready to explain neighboring uses, infrastructure, businesses, access, and the larger environment in which the company would operate.
  5. Understand your community's goals and resources. Know how a project aligns with local priorities and what financial and non-financial resources—including workforce training and community-college partnerships—you can realistically bring to the table.
  6. Help prospects visualize operating in your community. During site visits, answer the questions behind the spreadsheet: Where would executives and employees live? Where would their children attend school? Which airport would they use? What would the drive look like?
  7. Bring successful local businesses into the conversation. Give prospects opportunities to hear from companies already succeeding in your community. Their experience can help establish confidence that the prospect can succeed there too.
  8. Treat a location decision as a long-term relationship. Thane describes these decisions as potentially 50-year commitments. Think beyond winning the announcement and demonstrate why the company can operate successfully over the long haul.
  9. Use AI to gather and organize information, not replace judgment. AI can help process datasets, collect information, and accelerate analytical work, but ranking alternatives, evaluating sites, negotiating incentives, and making final decisions still require experience and judgment.
  10. Spend the time AI saves on people. Use automation to create more room for business retention visits, prospect relationships, community engagement, conferences, conversations, and the other human interactions technology cannot replicate.

Special Guest: Thane Hutcheson.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane talks with Thane Hutcheson about what site selection looks like from the company side of the table, beginning with why the process often starts with markets, labor, supply chains, and operating conditions rather than a specific piece of dirt.

Thane explains how companies narrow their choices, why falling in love with a community or site too early can create problems, and what the best economic development teams do differently—from submitting only sites that actually fit to helping visiting companies visualize what long-term success in the community would look like.

They also discuss incentives, the growing role of AI in professional services, and why automating data gathering and analytical work can free economic developers and consultants to spend more time building relationships, exercising judgment, and doing the work that still requires humans.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Understand the market-level decision before pitching individual sites. Companies may narrow locations based on labor availability, labor costs, specialized occupations, supply chains, utility costs, and other operating factors before they ever start comparing properties.
  2. Don't lead with dirt when the project isn't ready for dirt. Learn what the company is actually solving for first. A perfect site in the wrong labor market or supply-chain location may never be competitive.
  3. Submit fewer, better-fitting properties. If an RFI asks for 20–50 acres with specific characteristics, don't pad the response with properties that obviously fall outside the requirements. Protect the company's time and your own.
  4. Know what surrounds the site, not just what is on it. Be ready to explain neighboring uses, infrastructure, businesses, access, and the larger environment in which the company would operate.
  5. Understand your community's goals and resources. Know how a project aligns with local priorities and what financial and non-financial resources—including workforce training and community-college partnerships—you can realistically bring to the table.
  6. Help prospects visualize operating in your community. During site visits, answer the questions behind the spreadsheet: Where would executives and employees live? Where would their children attend school? Which airport would they use? What would the drive look like?
  7. Bring successful local businesses into the conversation. Give prospects opportunities to hear from companies already succeeding in your community. Their experience can help establish confidence that the prospect can succeed there too.
  8. Treat a location decision as a long-term relationship. Thane describes these decisions as potentially 50-year commitments. Think beyond winning the announcement and demonstrate why the company can operate successfully over the long haul.
  9. Use AI to gather and organize information, not replace judgment. AI can help process datasets, collect information, and accelerate analytical work, but ranking alternatives, evaluating sites, negotiating incentives, and making final decisions still require experience and judgment.
  10. Spend the time AI saves on people. Use automation to create more room for business retention visits, prospect relationships, community engagement, conferences, conversations, and the other human interactions technology cannot replicate.

Special Guest: Thane Hutcheson.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> 233: Infrastructure, Trust, and the Future of Economic Development with Will Williams https://podcast.econdevshow.com/233 654c137b-5f98-4ad3-9d90-c0c810d1a9c7 Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:15:00 -0500 Dane Carlson 233 Infrastructure, Trust, and the Future of Economic Development with Will Williams full Dane Carlson Will Williams joins Dane Carlson to discuss the changing economics of industrial development, the controversy surrounding data centers, the importance of public trust, and why economic developers increasingly have to do their work “on the front porch.” 29:21 no <p>In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Will Williams, president and CEO of the Western South Carolina Economic Development Partnership, about how economic development has changed over his career: from paper RFIs and long project timelines to massive capital investments, compressed decisions, and new infrastructure demands. </p> <p>They dig into Western South Carolina’s effort to develop a 1,900-acre industrial park, the growing constraint of electrical capacity, and the heated debate surrounding data centers. </p> <p>Will argues that communities should evaluate data centers the same way they evaluate other industrial projects: by looking carefully at infrastructure, utilities, location, tax impact, jobs, and community compatibility rather than reacting to misinformation or fear. </p> <p>The conversation ultimately becomes one about trust, communication, zoning, AI, long-term community building, and the economic developer’s role as the “connective tissue”, or, as Will puts it, “community duct tape”, that holds people and institutions together.</p> <p><a href="https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/" rel="nofollow noopener">Like this show? Please leave us a review here</a> — even one sentence helps! </p> <h2>10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers</h2> <ol> <li> <strong>Start planning electrical capacity earlier.</strong> Large projects increasingly require enormous amounts of generation and transmission capacity, making power availability a fundamental site-readiness issue rather than something to address after a prospect appears.</li> <li> <strong>Build sites for the next generation of projects, not the last one.</strong> Western South Carolina spent years assembling 1,900 acres because larger contiguous sites with strong interstate and workforce access can take years to create.</li> <li> <strong>Treat data centers like any other industrial prospect.</strong> Examine electricity, water, sewer, noise, location, jobs, taxes, and infrastructure requirements instead of automatically treating the industry as either uniquely good or uniquely bad.</li> <li> <strong>Put intensive uses where they belong.</strong> Good land-use planning and appropriate buffers can prevent many conflicts before a project is announced. Will specifically points to industrial locations and property-line noise standards as tools communities can use.</li> <li> <strong>Don't mistake the loudest voices for the entire community.</strong> Public meetings can amplify a small group of highly motivated opponents, so economic developers and elected officials should seek broader community understanding before assuming opposition is universal.</li> <li> <strong>Communicate before controversy forces you to.</strong> Economic development can no longer happen entirely “in the kitchen.” Practitioners need systems for explaining projects publicly while still respecting legitimate company confidentiality.</li> <li> <strong>Use your track record to build trust.</strong> When skepticism is high, point to previous projects, their actual outcomes, and the community's experience rather than relying only on promises about a new project.</li> <li> <strong>Recognize that automation changes jobs more often than it simply eliminates them.</strong> Will compares today's AI concerns with earlier fears around manufacturing automation, which increased the need for more skilled workers even as processes became more automated.</li> <li> <strong>Think in decades.</strong> Will expects the new industrial park to develop over roughly 25 years. Economic developers should be comfortable investing in infrastructure and assets whose full payoff may come long after their own tenure.</li> <li> <strong>Build a network far beyond the usual power players.</strong> Will's career advice is to “grow where you're planted” and know as many people as possible—not just utility executives and elected officials. Those relationships become sources of information, introductions, and problem-solving capacity. Special Guest: Will Williams.</li> </ol> econdev, economic development, eco devo, data centers, economic development, industrial site development, electrical capacity, infrastructure, public trust, zoning, artificial intelligence, community engagement, industrial parks In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Will Williams, president and CEO of the Western South Carolina Economic Development Partnership, about how economic development has changed over his career: from paper RFIs and long project timelines to massive capital investments, compressed decisions, and new infrastructure demands.

They dig into Western South Carolina’s effort to develop a 1,900-acre industrial park, the growing constraint of electrical capacity, and the heated debate surrounding data centers.

Will argues that communities should evaluate data centers the same way they evaluate other industrial projects: by looking carefully at infrastructure, utilities, location, tax impact, jobs, and community compatibility rather than reacting to misinformation or fear.

The conversation ultimately becomes one about trust, communication, zoning, AI, long-term community building, and the economic developer’s role as the “connective tissue”, or, as Will puts it, “community duct tape”, that holds people and institutions together.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Start planning electrical capacity earlier. Large projects increasingly require enormous amounts of generation and transmission capacity, making power availability a fundamental site-readiness issue rather than something to address after a prospect appears.
  2. Build sites for the next generation of projects, not the last one. Western South Carolina spent years assembling 1,900 acres because larger contiguous sites with strong interstate and workforce access can take years to create.
  3. Treat data centers like any other industrial prospect. Examine electricity, water, sewer, noise, location, jobs, taxes, and infrastructure requirements instead of automatically treating the industry as either uniquely good or uniquely bad.
  4. Put intensive uses where they belong. Good land-use planning and appropriate buffers can prevent many conflicts before a project is announced. Will specifically points to industrial locations and property-line noise standards as tools communities can use.
  5. Don't mistake the loudest voices for the entire community. Public meetings can amplify a small group of highly motivated opponents, so economic developers and elected officials should seek broader community understanding before assuming opposition is universal.
  6. Communicate before controversy forces you to. Economic development can no longer happen entirely “in the kitchen.” Practitioners need systems for explaining projects publicly while still respecting legitimate company confidentiality.
  7. Use your track record to build trust. When skepticism is high, point to previous projects, their actual outcomes, and the community's experience rather than relying only on promises about a new project.
  8. Recognize that automation changes jobs more often than it simply eliminates them. Will compares today's AI concerns with earlier fears around manufacturing automation, which increased the need for more skilled workers even as processes became more automated.
  9. Think in decades. Will expects the new industrial park to develop over roughly 25 years. Economic developers should be comfortable investing in infrastructure and assets whose full payoff may come long after their own tenure.
  10. Build a network far beyond the usual power players. Will's career advice is to “grow where you're planted” and know as many people as possible—not just utility executives and elected officials. Those relationships become sources of information, introductions, and problem-solving capacity.

Special Guest: Will Williams.

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Will Williams, president and CEO of the Western South Carolina Economic Development Partnership, about how economic development has changed over his career: from paper RFIs and long project timelines to massive capital investments, compressed decisions, and new infrastructure demands.

They dig into Western South Carolina’s effort to develop a 1,900-acre industrial park, the growing constraint of electrical capacity, and the heated debate surrounding data centers.

Will argues that communities should evaluate data centers the same way they evaluate other industrial projects: by looking carefully at infrastructure, utilities, location, tax impact, jobs, and community compatibility rather than reacting to misinformation or fear.

The conversation ultimately becomes one about trust, communication, zoning, AI, long-term community building, and the economic developer’s role as the “connective tissue”, or, as Will puts it, “community duct tape”, that holds people and institutions together.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Start planning electrical capacity earlier. Large projects increasingly require enormous amounts of generation and transmission capacity, making power availability a fundamental site-readiness issue rather than something to address after a prospect appears.
  2. Build sites for the next generation of projects, not the last one. Western South Carolina spent years assembling 1,900 acres because larger contiguous sites with strong interstate and workforce access can take years to create.
  3. Treat data centers like any other industrial prospect. Examine electricity, water, sewer, noise, location, jobs, taxes, and infrastructure requirements instead of automatically treating the industry as either uniquely good or uniquely bad.
  4. Put intensive uses where they belong. Good land-use planning and appropriate buffers can prevent many conflicts before a project is announced. Will specifically points to industrial locations and property-line noise standards as tools communities can use.
  5. Don't mistake the loudest voices for the entire community. Public meetings can amplify a small group of highly motivated opponents, so economic developers and elected officials should seek broader community understanding before assuming opposition is universal.
  6. Communicate before controversy forces you to. Economic development can no longer happen entirely “in the kitchen.” Practitioners need systems for explaining projects publicly while still respecting legitimate company confidentiality.
  7. Use your track record to build trust. When skepticism is high, point to previous projects, their actual outcomes, and the community's experience rather than relying only on promises about a new project.
  8. Recognize that automation changes jobs more often than it simply eliminates them. Will compares today's AI concerns with earlier fears around manufacturing automation, which increased the need for more skilled workers even as processes became more automated.
  9. Think in decades. Will expects the new industrial park to develop over roughly 25 years. Economic developers should be comfortable investing in infrastructure and assets whose full payoff may come long after their own tenure.
  10. Build a network far beyond the usual power players. Will's career advice is to “grow where you're planted” and know as many people as possible—not just utility executives and elected officials. Those relationships become sources of information, introductions, and problem-solving capacity.

Special Guest: Will Williams.

Links:

]]> 232: Stop Marketing Your Community Like Everywhere Else with Bethany Quinn https://podcast.econdevshow.com/232 2020daf6-e862-43ba-bc7e-2db62fe4ea11 Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 Dane Carlson 232 Stop Marketing Your Community Like Everywhere Else with Bethany Quinn full Dane Carlson Bethany Quinn explains how economic developers can replace generic marketing with specific stories, focused strategies, stronger stakeholder communication, and content designed for both people and AI. 27:38 no <p>In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Bethany Quinn, president of Golden Shovel Agency, explains why communities that punch above their weight concentrate their resources on one or two genuine strengths. </p> <p>She and Dane discuss how specificity makes communities memorable, why economic development marketing must address local stakeholders as well as outside prospects, and how disconnected marketing projects waste money. </p> <p>Bethany also shares how AI is changing website content, why FAQ pages are becoming more important, and how a single word can reshape perceptions of a community. </p> <p>Most importantly, she makes the case for showing the daily work behind economic development before budget season forces leaders to ask what the organization actually does.</p> <p><a href="https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/" rel="nofollow noopener">Like this show? Please leave us a review here</a> — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Bethany Quinn.</p> econdev, economic development, eco devo, economic development marketing, community storytelling, stakeholder engagement, marketing strategy, place branding, business attraction, artificial intelligence, website content, community positioning, Golden Shovel Agency In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Bethany Quinn, president of Golden Shovel Agency, explains why communities that punch above their weight concentrate their resources on one or two genuine strengths.

She and Dane discuss how specificity makes communities memorable, why economic development marketing must address local stakeholders as well as outside prospects, and how disconnected marketing projects waste money.

Bethany also shares how AI is changing website content, why FAQ pages are becoming more important, and how a single word can reshape perceptions of a community.

Most importantly, she makes the case for showing the daily work behind economic development before budget season forces leaders to ask what the organization actually does.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Special Guest: Bethany Quinn.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Bethany Quinn, president of Golden Shovel Agency, explains why communities that punch above their weight concentrate their resources on one or two genuine strengths.

She and Dane discuss how specificity makes communities memorable, why economic development marketing must address local stakeholders as well as outside prospects, and how disconnected marketing projects waste money.

Bethany also shares how AI is changing website content, why FAQ pages are becoming more important, and how a single word can reshape perceptions of a community.

Most importantly, she makes the case for showing the daily work behind economic development before budget season forces leaders to ask what the organization actually does.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Special Guest: Bethany Quinn.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> 230: No Is Never the Final Answer: Creative Retention Strategies with Andrew Sloss https://podcast.econdevshow.com/230 3388830d-a5de-4298-bc77-673fc0bf638f Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 Dane Carlson 230 No Is Never the Final Answer: Creative Retention Strategies with Andrew Sloss full Dane Carlson Andrew Sloss explains why “no” is often the beginning of a conversation, how communities can support struggling businesses creatively, and why transparency, relationships, and incentive compliance matter. 26:21 no <p>In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Andrew Sloss discusses his transition to independent consulting and the lessons he has learned from nearly two decades in site selection and incentive negotiations. He explains why an initial “no” from a community may reflect a misunderstanding, a lack of available tools, or simply bad timing, and how better communication and persistence can create new possibilities. </p> <p>Andrew also shares a retention project involving a struggling retailer, including how communities used job grants, workforce funds, and university tuition benefits to help keep locations open. The conversation covers demonstrating a company’s broader community value, building flexible incentive programs, avoiding compliance failures, maintaining long-term relationships, and using AI carefully in site selection work.</p> <p><a href="https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/" rel="nofollow noopener">Like this show? Please leave us a review here</a> — even one sentence helps! </p> <h2>10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers</h2> <ol> <li> Treat an initial “no” as a signal to clarify the request, not necessarily as the final decision.</li> <li> When a project does not create new jobs or investment, look for ways to demonstrate its broader community value.</li> <li> Assess whether a business provides essential services that residents would have to travel significantly farther to access.</li> <li> Review existing programs—such as workforce, façade, landscaping, or downtown grants—for unused funds and possible flexibility.</li> <li> Discuss unusual retention requests internally with elected officials and local leadership before dismissing them.</li> <li> Be transparent about what you can and cannot provide, and explain the limits of your authority clearly.</li> <li> Maintain strong relationships with site selectors, consultants, and company representatives before a project arrives.</li> <li> When negotiating incentives, discuss whether the answer is a hard no, a temporary no, or a maybe that could change with a stronger business case.</li> <li> Build incentive compliance responsibilities into multiple people’s roles so the process does not disappear when one employee leaves.</li> <li> Use AI for administrative support and high-level research, but double- and triple-check buildings, people, and other site-selection facts before relying on them. Special Guest: Andrew Sloss.</li> </ol> econdev, economic development, eco devo, site selection, incentive negotiations, retention projects, economic development incentives, incentive compliance, business retention, workforce training, community relationships, economic development strategy, artificial intelligence In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Andrew Sloss discusses his transition to independent consulting and the lessons he has learned from nearly two decades in site selection and incentive negotiations. He explains why an initial “no” from a community may reflect a misunderstanding, a lack of available tools, or simply bad timing, and how better communication and persistence can create new possibilities.

Andrew also shares a retention project involving a struggling retailer, including how communities used job grants, workforce funds, and university tuition benefits to help keep locations open. The conversation covers demonstrating a company’s broader community value, building flexible incentive programs, avoiding compliance failures, maintaining long-term relationships, and using AI carefully in site selection work.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Treat an initial “no” as a signal to clarify the request, not necessarily as the final decision.
  2. When a project does not create new jobs or investment, look for ways to demonstrate its broader community value.
  3. Assess whether a business provides essential services that residents would have to travel significantly farther to access.
  4. Review existing programs—such as workforce, façade, landscaping, or downtown grants—for unused funds and possible flexibility.
  5. Discuss unusual retention requests internally with elected officials and local leadership before dismissing them.
  6. Be transparent about what you can and cannot provide, and explain the limits of your authority clearly.
  7. Maintain strong relationships with site selectors, consultants, and company representatives before a project arrives.
  8. When negotiating incentives, discuss whether the answer is a hard no, a temporary no, or a maybe that could change with a stronger business case.
  9. Build incentive compliance responsibilities into multiple people’s roles so the process does not disappear when one employee leaves.
  10. Use AI for administrative support and high-level research, but double- and triple-check buildings, people, and other site-selection facts before relying on them.

Special Guest: Andrew Sloss.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Andrew Sloss discusses his transition to independent consulting and the lessons he has learned from nearly two decades in site selection and incentive negotiations. He explains why an initial “no” from a community may reflect a misunderstanding, a lack of available tools, or simply bad timing, and how better communication and persistence can create new possibilities.

Andrew also shares a retention project involving a struggling retailer, including how communities used job grants, workforce funds, and university tuition benefits to help keep locations open. The conversation covers demonstrating a company’s broader community value, building flexible incentive programs, avoiding compliance failures, maintaining long-term relationships, and using AI carefully in site selection work.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Treat an initial “no” as a signal to clarify the request, not necessarily as the final decision.
  2. When a project does not create new jobs or investment, look for ways to demonstrate its broader community value.
  3. Assess whether a business provides essential services that residents would have to travel significantly farther to access.
  4. Review existing programs—such as workforce, façade, landscaping, or downtown grants—for unused funds and possible flexibility.
  5. Discuss unusual retention requests internally with elected officials and local leadership before dismissing them.
  6. Be transparent about what you can and cannot provide, and explain the limits of your authority clearly.
  7. Maintain strong relationships with site selectors, consultants, and company representatives before a project arrives.
  8. When negotiating incentives, discuss whether the answer is a hard no, a temporary no, or a maybe that could change with a stronger business case.
  9. Build incentive compliance responsibilities into multiple people’s roles so the process does not disappear when one employee leaves.
  10. Use AI for administrative support and high-level research, but double- and triple-check buildings, people, and other site-selection facts before relying on them.

Special Guest: Andrew Sloss.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> 172: Pennsylvania's First Economic Strategy in 20 Years with Aaron Pitts https://podcast.econdevshow.com/172 37fd3b95-c320-4f94-b6b1-0775fd892c55 Mon, 05 May 2025 00:15:00 -0500 Dane Carlson 172 Pennsylvania's First Economic Strategy in 20 Years with Aaron Pitts full Dane Carlson Aaron Pitts reveals how Pennsylvania's first economic development strategy in 20 years is transforming the Commonwealth into a premier business destination through strategic investments, streamlined permitting, and a proactive approach to business relationships. 22:16 no <p>In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson speaks with Aaron Pitts, Chief Commercial Officer for Business PA, who shares how Pennsylvania is revitalizing its economic development approach under Governor Shapiro's administration. </p> <p>Aaron explains the creation of Business PA, a dedicated unit within the Department of Community and Economic Development focused exclusively on building and maintaining business relationships. He details Pennsylvania's strategic advantages as a founding state with major cities, rural areas, and world-class educational institutions like UPenn and Carnegie Mellon, while highlighting their focus on five key sectors: life sciences, manufacturing, energy, AI/tech, and business services. </p> <p>Listeners learn about Pennsylvania's impressive $500 million investment in site development, streamlined permitting processes that reduced business license waits from eight weeks to two days, and how Pittsburgh has emerged as a global AI leader with companies like Google, Nvidia, and Duolingo. </p> <p>Aaron also shares insights from his previous experience helping create JobsOhio and explains why leaving corporate America for economic development has been so personally fulfilling.</p> <p><a href="https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/" rel="nofollow noopener">Like this show? Please leave us a review here</a> — even one sentence helps! </p> <h2>Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers</h2> <ol> <li>Create dedicated units focused solely on business relationships within your economic development organization to ensure businesses receive specialized attention.</li> <li>Invest significantly in site readiness programs with dedicated funding to create shovel-ready locations that can immediately accommodate business relocations.</li> <li>Implement a concierge service for permitting to help businesses navigate regulatory processes more efficiently and combat negative perceptions about permitting complexity.</li> <li>Identify and focus on 4-5 key sectors where your region has competitive advantages rather than trying to be everything to everyone.</li> <li>Build regional partnerships with clear roles and responsibilities for business retention, expansion and attraction activities to present a unified front to prospective companies.</li> <li>Bring corporate experience into economic development leadership to better understand and speak the language of business executives.</li> <li>Develop a strategy that balances care for incumbent businesses while positioning your region to attract cutting-edge industries.</li> <li>Create a disciplined financial model to evaluate incentive offers that ensures both the business and the region benefit from each deal.</li> <li>Leverage educational institutions as key partners in workforce development and innovation to create distinct advantages in specific sectors.</li> <li>Foster an attitudinal shift within economic development organizations from reactive to proactive engagement with businesses to demonstrate that you genuinely care about their success. Special Guest: Aaron Pitts.</li> </ol> econdev, economic development, eco devo, Economic development, Pennsylvania, site readiness, permitting reform, business attraction, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, JobsOhio, Pittsburgh, energy sector In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson speaks with Aaron Pitts, Chief Commercial Officer for Business PA, who shares how Pennsylvania is revitalizing its economic development approach under Governor Shapiro's administration.

Aaron explains the creation of Business PA, a dedicated unit within the Department of Community and Economic Development focused exclusively on building and maintaining business relationships. He details Pennsylvania's strategic advantages as a founding state with major cities, rural areas, and world-class educational institutions like UPenn and Carnegie Mellon, while highlighting their focus on five key sectors: life sciences, manufacturing, energy, AI/tech, and business services.

Listeners learn about Pennsylvania's impressive $500 million investment in site development, streamlined permitting processes that reduced business license waits from eight weeks to two days, and how Pittsburgh has emerged as a global AI leader with companies like Google, Nvidia, and Duolingo.

Aaron also shares insights from his previous experience helping create JobsOhio and explains why leaving corporate America for economic development has been so personally fulfilling.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Create dedicated units focused solely on business relationships within your economic development organization to ensure businesses receive specialized attention.
  2. Invest significantly in site readiness programs with dedicated funding to create shovel-ready locations that can immediately accommodate business relocations.
  3. Implement a concierge service for permitting to help businesses navigate regulatory processes more efficiently and combat negative perceptions about permitting complexity.
  4. Identify and focus on 4-5 key sectors where your region has competitive advantages rather than trying to be everything to everyone.
  5. Build regional partnerships with clear roles and responsibilities for business retention, expansion and attraction activities to present a unified front to prospective companies.
  6. Bring corporate experience into economic development leadership to better understand and speak the language of business executives.
  7. Develop a strategy that balances care for incumbent businesses while positioning your region to attract cutting-edge industries.
  8. Create a disciplined financial model to evaluate incentive offers that ensures both the business and the region benefit from each deal.
  9. Leverage educational institutions as key partners in workforce development and innovation to create distinct advantages in specific sectors.
  10. Foster an attitudinal shift within economic development organizations from reactive to proactive engagement with businesses to demonstrate that you genuinely care about their success.

Special Guest: Aaron Pitts.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson speaks with Aaron Pitts, Chief Commercial Officer for Business PA, who shares how Pennsylvania is revitalizing its economic development approach under Governor Shapiro's administration.

Aaron explains the creation of Business PA, a dedicated unit within the Department of Community and Economic Development focused exclusively on building and maintaining business relationships. He details Pennsylvania's strategic advantages as a founding state with major cities, rural areas, and world-class educational institutions like UPenn and Carnegie Mellon, while highlighting their focus on five key sectors: life sciences, manufacturing, energy, AI/tech, and business services.

Listeners learn about Pennsylvania's impressive $500 million investment in site development, streamlined permitting processes that reduced business license waits from eight weeks to two days, and how Pittsburgh has emerged as a global AI leader with companies like Google, Nvidia, and Duolingo.

Aaron also shares insights from his previous experience helping create JobsOhio and explains why leaving corporate America for economic development has been so personally fulfilling.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Create dedicated units focused solely on business relationships within your economic development organization to ensure businesses receive specialized attention.
  2. Invest significantly in site readiness programs with dedicated funding to create shovel-ready locations that can immediately accommodate business relocations.
  3. Implement a concierge service for permitting to help businesses navigate regulatory processes more efficiently and combat negative perceptions about permitting complexity.
  4. Identify and focus on 4-5 key sectors where your region has competitive advantages rather than trying to be everything to everyone.
  5. Build regional partnerships with clear roles and responsibilities for business retention, expansion and attraction activities to present a unified front to prospective companies.
  6. Bring corporate experience into economic development leadership to better understand and speak the language of business executives.
  7. Develop a strategy that balances care for incumbent businesses while positioning your region to attract cutting-edge industries.
  8. Create a disciplined financial model to evaluate incentive offers that ensures both the business and the region benefit from each deal.
  9. Leverage educational institutions as key partners in workforce development and innovation to create distinct advantages in specific sectors.
  10. Foster an attitudinal shift within economic development organizations from reactive to proactive engagement with businesses to demonstrate that you genuinely care about their success.

Special Guest: Aaron Pitts.

Sponsored By:

Links:

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