Explore topics related to transformational community leadership including economic development, non-profit engagement, organizational management, and policy development. It's a candid conversation with veterans of the economic development profession along with inspiring interviews of today's thought leaders.
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What does the future hold for facility investment in an increasingly uncertain economy? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Jerry Szatan , a veteran site selection consultant with more than 35 years of experience, about the challenges and opportunities shaping investment decisions today. Jerry shares why many companies are taking a more cautious approach to expansion,…
What does it take to manage rapid growth while preserving the character of a community? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Bill Cronin about his unique career journey from international shipping to economic development and the strategies driving growth in Pasco County, Florida. Bill reflects on how economic development has evolved over the years, shifting from traditional…
Why are data centers generating so much debate in communities across the country? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise sits down with Dan Culhane to kick off a brand-new series exploring one of the most controversial topics in economic development: Why Does Everyone Hate Data Centers? Rather than taking sides, Dan encourages communities to ask better questions before making decisions.…
What can attendees expect from the 2026 IEDC Annual Conference in New Orleans? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise sits down with Nathan Ohle , President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) , for an exclusive preview of the 2026 IEDC Annual Conference in New Orleans. As IEDC celebrates 100 years of economic development, Nathan shares how this milestone…
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a big tech conversation. For small businesses, microbusinesses, makers, solopreneurs, and entrepreneurs, AI literacy is quickly becoming a practical economic development issue. In this episode of Develop This!, Joi Cuartero Austin talks with Tasha Sams , Director of Education at Main Street America , about what AI literacy really means for local businesses…
How can communities create lasting economic mobility in a rapidly changing world? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Anne Bovaird Nevins about her remarkable career journey—from the White House and the Olympic movement to leading national initiatives focused on economic and community development. Drawing on decades of experience, Anne shares lessons on leadership,…
What's driving Cincinnati's rise as one of the Midwest's most dynamic economic engines? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Kimm Lauterbach , CEO of REDI Cincinnati , about the region's rapid growth and the strategies positioning it as a national leader in innovation, investment, and industry. Kimm shares how Cincinnati has built momentum through a combination of regional…
What can economic developers learn from a career that spans the public sector, entrepreneurship, and consulting? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Ruth Buchanan , founder of Buchanan Advisors , about her journey through economic development and the lessons that led her to launch her own consulting firm. Drawing on experience across multiple sectors, Ruth shares insights…
How is technology changing the way communities compete for investment and talent? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Matt Szuhaj , EVP of Strategic Development Group , to explore more than three decades of change in site selection and economic development. Drawing on 30 years of experience, Matt shares how location strategy has evolved from a focus on cost and…
How can leaders build stronger teams in a workplace shaped by multiple generations? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Mark Perna to explore how generational differences, economic realities, and rapid technological change are reshaping today's workforce. Mark shares insights into the strengths and challenges of working across generations—from Baby Boomers to Gen Z—and…
What separates communities that win major investments from those that get left behind? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Tess Fay , Vice President of Global Location Strategies , to explore the increasingly complex world of site selection and the factors shaping the future of U.S. manufacturing. Tess shares how companies evaluate locations through the lens of long-term…
What does it take to build resilient communities in an era of rapid economic change? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Ryan Silva , Executive Director of the New York State Economic Development Council , about the policies, partnerships, and strategies shaping economic growth across New York. Ryan shares insights on how data-driven decision-making is helping communities…
What does it take to transform a community while ensuring everyone benefits from the growth? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Clyde Higgs , President & CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc , about one of the most ambitious community redevelopment projects in the United States. Clyde shares his unique journey from healthcare leadership into economic development and explains how…
What makes some communities stand out while others struggle to tell their story? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Sandy Dubay , CEO of PPR Strategies , about the growing importance of communication, branding, and storytelling in economic development. Drawing on her experience in both economic development and public relations, Sandy explains why authentic storytelling has…
What if the next wave of economic growth starts with local entrepreneurs? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Rob Williams of SourceLink to explore how entrepreneurship-led economic development can help communities build stronger, more resilient economies. Rob shares how communities—especially rural ones—can leverage their unique assets to support entrepreneurs, strengthen…
What role do public-private partnerships play in the future of economic development? In this panel episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise explores the evolving PPP landscape with Joachim Arnold , Matt Chambers , and Clint Nessmith , bringing together perspectives from the U.S. and Europe. The conversation dives into how economic development organizations are rethinking funding models, private…
What happens when rapid tech growth collides with a city's cultural identity? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise is joined by Jon Roberts and Tracy McDaniel of TIP Strategies to explore the evolution of Austin's tech boom—and the social and economic trade-offs that come with it. Once known for its distinct culture and creative energy, Austin has become one of the fastest-growing tech…
What does it take for rural communities to compete and grow in today's economy? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Jolene Schalper , EVP of the Great Falls Montana Development Alliance , to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping rural economic development. Jolene shares her journey from nonprofit leadership into economic development and explains how…
What does it take to rebuild an economy after a disaster—and turn it into a model for long-term growth? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Michael Hecht , CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. , to explore lessons learned from leading economic recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina and 9/11. Michael shares how New Orleans approached rebuilding not just infrastructure, but its…
What does it take to build thriving communities across an entire region? In this episode of Develop This! , Dennis Fraise speaks with Barb Lamue to explore her unique journey from law enforcement to economic development—and the leadership lessons she's learned along the way. Drawing from decades of experience in regional collaboration and workforce strategy, Barb shares how trust, authenticity,…
What does it take for a small country to compete for high-value global investment in today's economy? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Pilar Madrigal of the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency to explore how Costa Rica is evolving into a strategic hub for advanced industries and foreign direct investment. From its geographic position connecting North and South…
What role do big, bold visions play in shaping stronger communities and more effective leaders? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise is joined by Mark Perna to explore how optimism, storytelling, and ambitious goals can inspire innovation, community engagement, and long-term growth. Drawing inspiration from the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, the conversation examines how major rallying points…
In celebration of Small Business Week, this episode of Develop This! takes a closer look at the businesses that are often small in size but powerful in impact: microbusinesses. Friend of the show, Erik Reader brings Marci Goodwin , co-founder of SmartStart to speak with Joi Cuartero Austin for a conversation about why communities should pay closer attention to solopreneurs, makers, freelancers,…
What does it take to build economies that are truly inclusive—and built for long-term impact? In this episode of Develop This! , Dennis Fraise speaks with Philip Gaskin to explore his diverse career spanning the private sector, entrepreneurship, and community development—and how those experiences shape his approach to economic transformation today. Philip shares how lessons from the private sector…
How did Lithuania transform itself into one of Europe's fastest-rising investment and innovation hubs? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Rūta Kriščiūnaitė from Invest Lithuania to explore the country's remarkable economic evolution and growing global influence. From FinTech and global business services to defense and data centers, Lithuania has positioned itself as a…
What makes a country stand out in the global race for investment? In this episode of Develop This! , Dennis Fraise speaks with Fadi Shadeh of the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency to explore why Hungary has become one of Central Europe's most dynamic investment destinations. From its strategic location at the heart of Europe to its deep integration into the EU single market, Hungary offers…
What are the new rules shaping where major industrial projects choose to land? In this episode of Develop This! , Dennis Fraise speaks with Courtney Dunbar , Director of Site Selection at Burns & McDonnell , to unpack how technology, geopolitics, and infrastructure demands are reshaping modern site selection. Courtney breaks down how today's location decisions are being influenced far beyond…
How much does what you wear actually shape how you're perceived—and how you perform? In this episode of Develop This !, Dennis Fraise is joined by Dan Trepanier , founder of Articles of Style , to explore his journey from a farm in Canada to becoming a leading voice in men's fashion and personal styling. Dan breaks down the fundamentals of building a professional wardrobe, emphasizing why fit,…
What does it take for a legacy industrial city to reinvent itself into a modern growth hub? In this episode of Develop This! , Dennis Fraise is joined by Trevor Sutton to explore Birmingham's ongoing economic transformation and the strategies shaping its future. From major wins like the Fannie Mae project to the continued rise of life sciences and metals industries, Birmingham is positioning…
What's really driving global location decisions today? In this episode of Develop This! , Dennis Fraise sits down with Johan Beukema of BCI Global to unpack the shifting landscape of site selection and investment strategy. From AI and data centers to supply chain resilience, Johan explains how companies are rethinking where they invest—and why. As decentralization accelerates, talent and strong…
How is economic development evolving in a world shaped by rapid technological change? In this episode of Develop This! , Dennis Fraise sits down with Alejandra Y. Castillo to explore how regional strategies, emerging technologies, and workforce development are redefining the field. From AI to quantum computing, Alejandra breaks down how innovation is influencing where and how communities grow. She…
In this inspiring episode of Develop This! , host Dennis Fraise sits down with Mark C. Perna to explore the power of bold thinking, visionary leadership, and rallying people around big ideas. Drawing on their shared fascination with the Apollo program, they unpack how the audacity of aiming for the moon transformed not just science—but an entire generation's mindset. From the iconic leadership…
What separates good economic development organizations from great ones? According to Barry Broome , it comes down to leadership, data, and the courage to adapt. In this episode of Develop This! , host Dennis Fraise sits down with Barry Broome , President and CEO of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council and recipient of the 2025 Chairwoman's Award from the International Economic Development…
In this episode of Develop This! , we go global with Patsy Van Hove of IBM Consulting and Plant Location International to unpack the evolving world of site selection and economic development. From shifting workforce dynamics to the growing importance of international collaboration, Patsy shares why talent—not geography—is now the driving force behind location decisions. You'll hear how communities…
Vacant buildings are often treated as the problem—but what if they're just the symptom? In this episode of Develop This! , contributing correspondent Joi Cuartero Austin sits down with economic development expert Eric Reader to unpack the deeper forces behind community vacancy challenges. From market realities and ownership dynamics to infrastructure and policy barriers, Eric shares why quick…
Episode Summary Clark County, long known as the global epicenter of tourism and gaming, is rewriting its economic story. In this episode, Dennis Fraise sits down with Shani Coleman , Director of Community and Economic Development, and she shares how Southern Nevada is transforming into a diversified, innovation-driven economy. From attracting new industries to leveraging the explosive growth of…
What happens when competing communities decide to collaborate instead? In this episode, Dennis Fraise sits down with Kevin Considine , Board Chair of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership and CEO of Lake County Partners , and shares how a coalition of counties around Chicago is redefining economic development through regional alignment. Kevin unpacks the origins and evolution of the Greater…
Episode Summary In this episode of Develop This! , host Dennis Fraise sits down with Ken Biberaj , Executive Managing Director at Savills and host of Coffee With Ken , to explore how national defense policy, artificial intelligence, and real estate strategy are converging to reshape economic development across the United States. Ken shares insights from the front lines of site selection and…
In this inspiring episode of Develop This! , Dennis Fraise sits down with Alejandra Y. Castillo to explore her remarkable journey from helping her family run a Bronx bodega to leading economic development efforts at the highest levels of the federal government. Alejandra shares how her immigrant experience, early responsibilities, and global perspective shaped her leadership philosophy and…
The space economy is no longer a distant frontier—it's a powerful engine of economic growth, innovation, and talent development right here on Earth. In this episode of Develop This! , Dennis sits down with Edgar Campa-Palafox Vice President, Business Development, Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast , a community coalition, is the official economic development organization for…
What does it take to transform a fast-growing community into a regional economic powerhouse? In this episode of Develop This! , Dennis sits down with Jennifer Storm, Chief Executive Officer of the Buda Economic Development Corporation and the IEDC 2025 Economic Developer of the Year, to unpack her remarkable journey from community volunteer to a driving force behind the growth of Buda,TX. Jennifer…
In this episode of Develop This! , Dennis Fraise sits down with Amber Banks , President and CEO of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs , to explore the transformative role of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in advancing equitable economic development. Amber shares how black-led CDFIs are uniquely positioned to build trust, expand capital access, and drive meaningful…
In this episode of Develop This! , Joi Cuartero Austin sits down with Eric Reader to explore one of the most overlooked—but most impactful—strategies in economic development: business retention . While recruitment often grabs headlines, Eric makes the case that real, sustainable community growth happens by supporting the businesses you already have . Through proactive relationship-building, early…
Episode Summary In this episode of Develop This! , Dennis Fraise is joined by Katie Davenport and Rick Kiernan from Convergent Nonprofit Solutions to explore how Promise programs are reshaping workforce development and community growth. From nationally recognized models like the Kalamazoo Promise to emerging initiatives like the Greenwood Promise , these programs are creating long-term talent…
In this episode of Develop This! , Dennis Fraise sits down with Mark Perna to explore "Rally Your Region," a powerful new initiative developed in partnership with the International Economic Development Council. Designed to help communities break through silos, build consensus, and take real action, Rally Your Region provides a structured, customizable framework to align stakeholders around a…
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 Dennis Fraise sits down with Maggie Strong , founder of Strong Consulting…
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 Dennis Fraise sits down with Mark Piekos , Executive Director of the McHenry County Economic…
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. Dennis Fraise interviews Jim Fram , a longtime educator and leader in economic development ethics, about how ethical standards have evolved in the…
The grant landscape is shifting quickly — and economic developers need to be ready. In this episode of Develop This! , Dennis Fraise sits down with Adrian Spencer , founder of Grant Guru , 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…
In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise sits down with "America's factory whisperer," Didi Caldwell , President & CEO of Global Location Strategies , for a candid and strategic conversation about the realities of site selection in today's turbulent environment. Site Selectors Guild With more than two decades guiding large manufacturing and heavy industrial projects, Didi shares insider…
