Recorded live at the 2026 American South Site Selection Summit in Arlington, Texas, host Ray Methvin of Insyteful sits down for individual interviews with industry experts to discuss the mechanics of regional growth. The first segment features Chuck Sexton, Principal and CEO of Strategic Location Advisors, who provides a detailed look into the modern site selection process. Sexton analyzes the specific criteria that consultants use to narrow down location shortlists, emphasizing why digital transparency and proactive community data are essential for moving from a request for information to a successful site visit.

The recording continues with an interview featuring Robert Long, Director of Chester County Economic Development. Long shares his perspective on managing industrial recruitment at the local level, specifically focusing on the recent influx of manufacturing investment in South Carolina. He discusses the importance of maintaining a shovel-ready inventory of sites and the collaborative role that local economic development offices play in coordinating with state partners and utility providers. These interviews offer practical insights into the high-stakes environment of site selection and the strategies used by Southern Economic Development Council members to secure major capital projects.

The SEDC Podcast is sponsored by Insyteful.

Recorded live from the Loews Arlington Hotel during the 2026 American South Site Selection Summit, host Ray Methvin of Insyteful sits down with regional leaders to discuss the evolving requirements of industrial recruitment. The first interview features Patrick Ford, Vice President of the West Virginia Polymer Alliance Zone, who discusses his expertise in brownfield redevelopment and the strategic repurposing of large-scale industrial properties. Ford explains how transforming underutilized land into shovel-ready assets is a critical component for attracting major manufacturing investments and maintaining regional competitiveness.

The recording continues with an interview featuring Cam Huffman, Director of External Relations for the West Virginia Polymer Alliance Zone, who details the importance of legislative coordination and utility partnerships in securing major capital projects. Huffman describes how proactive infrastructure planning ensures that energy capacity meets the technical demands of modern industry. Finally, Christie Goodman Duke, Director of Targeted Attractions and State Affairs for the Arlington Economic Development Corporation, provides her perspective on how the host city leverages infrastructure to drive growth. These interviews offer a comprehensive look at the collaborative strategies used by members of the Southern Economic Development Council to facilitate industrial expansion across the region.

The SEDC Podcast is sponsored by Insyteful.

Recorded live from the Loews Arlington Hotel in Arlington, Texas, this special edition of the podcast captures the energy and insights of the 2026 #AmericanSouth Site Selection Summit. Host Ray Methvin of Insyteful sits down with a variety of leaders to discuss the shifting landscape of economic development across the region.

The SEDC Podcast is Sponsored by Insyteful.

Recorded live from the Loews Arlington Hotel in Arlington, Texas, this special edition of the podcast captures the energy and insights of the 2026 #AmericanSouth Site Selection Summit. Host Ray Methvin of Insyteful sits down with a variety of leaders to discuss the shifting landscape of economic development across the region.

The SEDC Podcast is Sponsored by Insyteful.

Host Matt Tackett sits down with Mike Goman, Principal at Goman + York Property Advisors, to explore his extensive career in commercial real estate development. Mike discusses his professional journey from managing large-scale projects in Canada to leading major operations in the United States. The conversation focuses on bridging the gap between municipal planning and the financial requirements of private investors to drive meaningful community impact.

The SEDC Podcast is sponsored by Insyteful.

Host Matt Tackett sits down with Mike Goman, Principal at Goman + York Property Advisors, to explore his extensive career in commercial real estate development. Mike discusses his professional journey from managing large-scale projects in Canada to leading major operations in the United States. The conversation focuses on bridging the gap between municipal planning and the financial requirements of private investors to drive meaningful community impact.

The SEDC Podcast is sponsored by Insyteful.

In this episode of the podcast presented by Insightful, Matt Tackett sits down with Shelley Short to discuss Arkadelphia, Arkansas's industrial momentum, and unique community assets. Shelley Short serves as the President and CEO of the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Economic Development Corporation of Clark County.

This episode of the SEDC podcast features Chris Schwinden, a partner at Site Selection Group, discussing the evolving economic landscape of the American South. Schwinden and Matthew Darius explore his career transition from finance to site selection, emphasizing the critical role of site-readiness programs such as the Kentucky Product Development Initiative. The conversation highlights the region's shift from low-cost manufacturing toward a focus on workforce quality and infrastructure. This episode provides valuable insights into regional competitiveness and the collaborative nature of modern economic development.The SEDC Podcast is brought to you by Insyteful.

Matt Tackett and Spencer Hogg explore Georgia's top-tier business environment and the Rome Floyd Development Authority’s recent success. The conversation traces Spencer’s career shift from congressional policy to regional economic development through intentional ecosystem-building and diverse industrial strategies. They highlight Northwest Georgia’s competitive advantages in workforce development and strategic infrastructure along the Highway 411 corridor. This episode underscores the vital role of SEDC in fostering regional collaboration and driving major capital investments for the future of the #AmericanSouth.

The SEDC Podcast is sponsored by Insyteful.

In this episode of the SEDC podcast, sponsored by Insyteful, Matt joins Troy Wayman of One Acadiana to discuss Louisiana’s historic economic momentum. Troy details how the state secured a record $61 billion in capital investment in 2025 through an aggressive new strategy and high-profile projects like the Meta data center and solar manufacturing expansions.

The conversation highlights the success of the Fast Sites program and the expansion of certified industrial sites in Acadiana to streamline business attraction. Troy also shares insights on the region’s unique entrepreneurial culture, the importance of mentorship, and how collaborative workforce development is securing long-term prosperity for Louisiana communities.