In this episode, Devin talks through a topic he's passionate about - activating your real estate for economic development purposes. A community's land is one of its most precious assets, and if you don't take control of its future then someone sure as heck will. We explore how to break down the steps to real estate activation through a simple process and bring some order to the chaos. So let's roll up our sleeves, get down and dirty, and discuss some actionable steps to tackling real estate in economic development. Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links): National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) Urban Land Institute (ULI) The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) CCIM Institute Journal of Property Investment & Finance An Overview of DMAIC for Beginners Measuring Commercial Real Estate's Impact Understanding the Real Estate Development Process (& 4 Ways to Scale) Real Estate Development Timeline: The Complete Developer’s Guide Real Estate Development Process Real Estate Development Crash Course: The Development Process in 7-Minutes…

Stories from the Road, a miniseries within the podcast, features the people behind the profession in the communities Devin visits and within his network of esteemed misfits. In this installment of the miniseries, Devin is joined by Keith Gillenwater, the president & CEO of The Enterprise Group of Jackson in Michigan. We discuss what it's like as an economic developer to land in a new community and how to host a top tier familiarization (FAM) tour for site selectors. Keith can be reached at: keith@enterprisegroup.org (517) 788-4456…

Stories from the Road, a miniseries within the podcast, features the people behind the profession in the communities Devin visits and within his network of esteemed misfits. In this installment of the miniseries, Devin is joined by Jonathan Sackett, head of marketing and communications at the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership. How do economic development professionals market their communities? How do you create a compelling brand for a community? Tune in to find out and much, much more. If you enjoyed this episode, you're in luck - this is Part 2 of 2 of a much larger conversation! Go check out Part 1 on The NEI Pioneer Podcast and follow them here: Podcast | Pioneer Starts Here…

In this episode of Site Selectors Are People, Too, Devin tackles work-life balance in a highly competitive environment. Let's take a look at some of the unique demands and challenges associated with each profession (site selection and economic development) and scratch the surface of some best practices and strategies for finding balance. Traveling too much? Expected to show up at too many community events? You're not alone. Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links): Work/Life Balance Tips for Professionals: Forbes: Work-Life Balance Tips for Busy Professionals Harvard Business Review: Time Management Tips Resources for Site Selectors and Economic Developers: Site Selectors Guild: Resources International Economic Development Council (IEDC): Tools and Resources Economic Development Administration (EDA): Resources for Economic Developers Strategies for Managing Work/Life Balance: Mind Tools: Work-Life Balance Toolkit The Muse: How to Maintain a Work-Life Balance Support Networks and Communities: LinkedIn Groups for Site Selectors Economic Development Networks and Forums Mental Health and Well-being: National Institute of Mental Health: Stress Management Mental Health America: Work/Life Balance…

Stories from the Road, a miniseries within the podcast, features the people behind the profession in the communities Devin visits and within his network of esteemed misfits. In this second installment of the miniseries, Devin is joined by Matthew Marshall, manager of member services, rates & economic development for the Minnkota Power Cooperative in North Dakota and Minnesota. Matthew can be reached at: mmarshall@minnkota.com (701) 630-4658…

Stories from the Road, a miniseries within the podcast, features the people behind the profession in the communities Devin visits and within his network of esteemed misfits. In this installment of the miniseries, Devin is joined by Keith Lambert, chief operating officer for the Lansing Economic Area Partnership in Michigan. Keith can be reached at: keith@purelansing.com (517) 331-2990…

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 more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links): The Role of Transparency and Accountability for Economic Development in Resource-rich Countries Making Politics Work for Development: Harnessing Transparency and Citizen Engagement How transparency can help the global economy to grow Our Commitment to Transparency Transparency: Economic Development Economic Development Transparency Transparency and Accountability in Development: Where Do We Stand? Transparency and Accountable Development Sports, Jobs, & Taxes: Are New Stadiums Worth the Cost? How Amazon, Google and Other Companies Exploit NDAs…

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@USTFWESTGATE.ORG (812) 259-2177…

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 right fit for the project? Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links): How to Respond to an RFI How to Write a Smart RFI Breaking Down the Site Selection Process 10 Critical Factors to Consider During Corporate Site Selection Buyer Beware: Navigating the Murky Waters of Site Selection 12 mistakes to avoid in the site selection process Site Selection In 2024: What Risks Define Business Investment Decisions?…

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 People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links): What is Economic Development? Remaking Economic Development Tools for Economic Development The Importance of Young Firms for Economic Growth What is an Economic Developer and How to Become One…

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 interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links): 20 Key Factors and Bonus Insights for Site Selection What Is a Site Selection Consultant and How to Hire the Right One The Power Of Informed Decisions: Site Selection Principles And Best Practices What Site Selectors REALLY Want The Complete Guide to Site Selection Seven Signs of a New Site Selection Reality…

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 interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links): 10 Ways to Build Trust in a Relationship The Importance of Client Selection and Relationship Management Trust is the glue of a healthy society. Here's how to bring it back. Building Stronger Communities: Understanding The Power Of Community Economic Development Five Straightforward Ways to Engage with Site Selectors How Business Can Build and Maintain Trust What is trust, why does it matter for development, and how do we measure it? Eight Tips for Building, Maintaining, and Leveraging Your Professional Relationships How To Build And Maintain Professional Relationships…

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 Artificial Intelligence and Economic Development: An Evolutionary Investigation and Systematic Review Maximizing AI’s economic, social, and trade opportunities Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence The Failure Of Artificial Intelligence In Manufacturing The impact of artificial intelligence on economic development The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Future of Workforces The Potential and Limitations of AI in the Site Selection Industry The Power of AI in Economic Development Understanding the Impact of AI on Skills Development Why AI Projects Fail and How to Overcome Failure…

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 factor behind it all?…