Site Selectors Are People, Too

In the 1st Episode of Season 2 of Site Selectors Are People, Too, Devin responds to a listener question about how the public can get more engaged with economic development projects. How do we balance critical project confidentiality with the community's right to know what's coming next? It's not an easy topic, but it's one worth discussing. Here's some resources for those interested in learning mo...

Stories from the Road, a miniseries within the podcast, will feature the people behind the profession in the communities Devin visits and within his network of esteemed misfits.   In this first installment of the miniseries, Devin is joined by Bryant Niehoff, executive director of the Uplands Science & Technology Foundation in southwest Indiana.   Bryant can be reached at: BNIEHOFF@USTFWESTGAT...

In the 10th episode of Site Selectors Are People, Too, Devin takes a look at the RFI and how it informs the site selection process as a whole. We dig into how the RFI is put together and how economic developers can better tailor their efforts to increase their chances of success. If you don't get the results you want, does that mean you failed? Or does that mean your community simply wasn't the ri...

In today's episode, Devin explores the realities of being an economic developer. What does it take to get the job done? What does a day in the life look like? Let's dig beyond the tip of the iceberg of being an economic developer, including what it takes to serve as the intersection between community and business. Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are...

In today's episode, Devin explores the realities of being a site selector. What does it take to get the job done? What does a day in the life look like? Let's dig beyond the tip of the iceberg of being a site selector, including what it takes to manage a corporate site selection project. Note: winning clients and getting paid will be discussed in future episodes. Here's some resources for those in...

Devin tackles a fundamental aspect of human interaction - trust. In this episode, we explore the definition of trust, how to build it, how to ruin it, and its role in economic development and site selection. Economic developers and site selectors serve as a bridge between communities and companies, requiring a focus on being trusted advisors and representatives. Here's some resources for those int...

In this episode, Devin explores the role and impact of artificial intelligence on economic development and site selection. We discuss how AI is currently being deployed, its limitations, and the future for our professions. Is AI going to replace us all? Here's some resources for those interested in learning more: AI 101 for Site Selection AI: These are the biggest risks and how to manage them Arti...

Let's tackle some small steps we can take to empower each other in a big way in this episode of Site Selectors Are People, Too. Can it really be as simple as acknowledging receipt of a RFI response? I think so, and I think you do, too.

In this episode, Devin responds to some listener questions before providing an account of his story transitioning from economic development to site selection. We explore the factors and considerations that drive the two sides of the industry and dig deeper into the differences and similarities between them. How can we serve as community advocates and data analysts while still remembering the human...

In this episode, we explore the disparities between economic developers and site selectors and how they impact end results in corporate investment decisions. What are some of the issues, and how do we go about addressing them to ensure better outcomes? What can site selectors do better, and what traps do economic developers typically fall into?

In this episode, Devin explores the personal side of site selectors and economic developers, including the pressures each profession faces day in and day out. Yes, those quick RFI turnaround times seem punitive in nature, and man does it suck when you can't get a site selector to pick up the phone, but what's really going on in that person's life? What does it truly take for an economic developer...

In this first episode, Devin sets the stage for the rest of the podcast by introducing general concepts and the people behind the profession. Who are site selectors? Who are economic developers? How do they work together to successfully match communities and corporate investment decisions? Dive into the world of economic development and site selection with a candid assessment of the people on the...

Join Devin Hillsdon-Smith, a seasoned professional with a decade of experience in economic development, as he embarks on a new journey in the world of industrial site selection. In “Site Selectors Are People, Too” Devin flips the script and takes you behind the scenes of corporate investment decisions, exploring the intricate dance between economic developers and site selectors. From the impact of...