Site Selectors Are People, Too

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:

[email protected]

(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):

1. How to Respond to an RFI

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):

1. What is Economic Development?

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):

1. 20 Key Factors and Bonus Insights for Site Selection

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):

1. 10 Ways to Build Trust in a Relationship

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:

1. AI 101 for Site Selection

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?

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 to be successful in their daily tasks and long-term strategies? Let's give each other some grace, folks, we're in a tough profession with some high stakes pressure.