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 sector engagement, and long-term sustainability in a changing global environment.

A major focus is funding diversification. The panel discusses why stable, flexible funding matters—and how structured campaigns can help formalize private sector participation in economic growth strategies.

The discussion also explores global FDI trends, infrastructure investment, geopolitical uncertainty, and the importance of adapting economic development models to local and international realities.

A key takeaway? Strong public-private partnerships create the structure, trust, and shared investment needed to drive sustainable economic growth.

Key Takeaways

• Public-private partnerships are evolving across global markets

• Funding diversification is critical for long-term sustainability

• Private sector engagement strengthens economic development strategy

• Geopolitical uncertainty is reshaping investment decisions

• Community engagement can open new doors for growth

• Structured campaigns help formalize stakeholder participation

Key Topics Covered

• Public-private partnership models

• Funding diversification in economic development

• Global trends in FDI and infrastructure investment

• U.S. and European economic development strategies

• Stakeholder and private sector engagement

• Adapting to geopolitical uncertainty

Sound Bites

• "Funding stability is a key strength of the US model."

• "Community engagement opens doors for economic growth."

• "Structured campaigns formalize private sector engagement."