Site Selectors Are People, Too

The Architects of Prosperity: Defining the Quest

Episode Summary: In the debut of our special 10-part miniseries, "The Architects of Prosperity," Devin takes a step back from the spreadsheets to explore the theoretical and historical roots of the economic development profession. This episode, "Defining the Quest," serves as the foundation for the series, challenging the industry to look beyond simple metrics. Devin dives into the crucial distinction between economic growth and true community development, arguing that confusing the two is the most expensive mistake a professional can make.
From 17th-century French industrial policy to Nobel Prize-winning modern philosophy, we set the stage for a journey through the "grand tendencies of history" that shape the sites we select today.
In This Episode, We Cover:
The Architects of Prosperity: An introduction to our 10-part deep dive into the genesis of economic development and why history is the ultimate context for modern practice.
The Math of Growth: Breaking down the Solow-Swan growth model and the "King of Metrics," GDP, to understand why a bigger economic pie doesn't always improve the human condition.
The Danger of Growth Without Development: How placing massive projects in unprepared communities can lead to rising rents and displacement for original residents, even as GDP explodes.
Colbert vs. Sen: A comparison between Jean-Baptiste Colbert’s "Glory of the State" and Amartya Sen’s "Philosophy of Freedom," shifting the goal of ED from building monuments to expanding human opportunity.
Site Selection as Forensic Investigation: Why the prosperity of a community in 2026 often has roots in institutions and policies from 300 years ago.
A Roadmap for the Series: A look ahead at the mercantilists, the Industrial Revolution, and the "utopia-builders" we’ll meet in the coming episodes.
#EconomicDevelopment #TheArchitectsOfProsperity #GrowthVsDevelopment #AmartyaSen #GDP #SiteSelection #Podcast #EconDevHistory #SiteSelectorsArePeopleToo
 
Visit us at Hyphen Strategies, LLC
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The Future of Economic Development: John Launius on Leading Through Industry Challenges

In this installment of our "Stories from the Road" mini-series, Devin sits down with John Launius, Senior Vice President and Chief Economic Development Officer at One Southern Indiana, and the newly appointed Board Chair of the Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA). In a wide-ranging conversation, John shares his unique journey from a small Missouri town of 800 people to leading major economic development initiatives in the greater Louisville MSA. They dive into the shifting landscape of economic development, the vital importance of Business Retention & Expansion (BRE), and the rising challenges surrounding data centers, utility infrastructure, and NIMBYism.
In This Episode, We Cover:
The Path to ED: How John parlayed a Political Science degree and experience with Special Olympics Kentucky into a dynamic economic development career.
Regionalism vs. BRE: The stark differences between global lead generation at Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI) and removing barriers for local industries at Ivy Tech Community College.
Advice for New Professionals: Why new economic developers need to rely on their network, find mentors like Jim Plump (teaser for the future!), and give themselves grace when facing a steep learning curve.
The Erosion of Public Trust: A candid look at how NDAs and secretive deal structures impact community trust, featuring John's firsthand experience managing the local arrival of a Meta data center.
Vinyl & Disco Balls: John reveals his massive 3,000+ vinyl record collection and the story behind his 11-foot diameter disco ball!
#EconomicDevelopment #SiteSelection #PublicTrust #DataCenters #IEDA #OneSouthernIndiana #Regionalism #BusinessRetention #Podcast #SiteSelectorsArePeopleToo
 
Visit www.thefouridor.com for more on One Southern Indiana and their region.
Visit www.hyphenstrategiesllc.com for more.

Networking & Associations for Economic Developers: Jeremy Sowders on the Way of Hoosier Energy

In this installment of our "Stories from the Road" mini-series, Devin packs up the mic and heads to Bloomington, Indiana, to sit down in person with Jeremy Sowders, Economic Development Leader at Hoosier Energy and recent Board Chair of the Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA).
In a candid, laugh-out-loud conversation, Devin and Jeremy cut through the corporate jargon to discuss what networking actually looks like when you refuse to be fake. They explore the stark differences between working for a community EDO versus a utility company, how to keep industry associations from becoming echo chambers, and why "trophy hunting" for massive projects can sometimes put your organization at risk. Plus, Jeremy shares his deeply relatable struggles with ADHD in a networking-heavy profession, leading to the infamous "Folder of Shame."
In This Episode, We Cover:
The Accidental Economic Developer: How a college student studying to be the next Crocodile Hunter stumbled into a 20+ year career in economic development.
Utility vs. Local EDO: Why the risk profiles of a power cooperative and a local community don't always align, and the importance of checking your ego before chasing the next mega-project.
The True Value of Associations: Why advocacy and securing a "seat at the table" are the most critical functions of groups like the IEDA right now, and how to stay focused on essential issues.
The "Folder of Shame" & CRM Traps: How to manage networking follow-ups when you have a bad memory, why over-engineering your Salesforce CRM is a trap, and how introverted extroverts can build genuine, authentic connections.
The Hoosier Energy Advantage: Moving beyond standard pitches about taxes and logistics to what site selectors actually crave: brutal honesty, fast answers, and the unique regulatory flexibility of a co-op.
#EconomicDevelopment #SiteSelection #Networking #AuthenticLeadership #UtilityEconDev #HoosierEnergy #EconDev #CareerJourney #SiteSelectors
 
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An Outsider's Take on Site Selection: Tianya Pinkham on Breaking Into Economic Development from Luxury Sales

We've all been guilty of it—getting so deep into the weeds of economic development that we forget what our world looks like to an outsider. When was the last time you had to explain a PILOT, a TIF, or what a LEDO actually does to someone who wasn't already an industry veteran?
In this episode of Site Selectors Are People Too, host Devin Hillsdon-Smith sits down with Tianya Pinkham, the newly minted Vice President of Business Development at Hyphen Strategies. Coming from the high-stakes, fast-paced world of luxury auto sales, Tianya brings a fresh, Gen Z perspective to the often secretive and complex site selection industry. Together, they discuss what it’s like to navigate the steep learning curve of economic development, the immense power of a "learner's mentality," and why everything in life—from buying a car to a multi-million dollar corporate relocation—is ultimately about building relationships.
Devin and Tianya break down the transition from the dealership floor to the economic development table, focusing on four key takeaways for industry pros:
The Outsider's Lens: Why hiring someone with no economic development background can be your greatest asset, and how stepping back reveals the true community impact of your projects—like seeing the literal "cranes in the sky".
Translating the Jargon: Decoding the alphabet soup of ED (LEDOs, REDOs, PILOTs, and NIMBYism). They discuss why simplifying your message is crucial for public education and addressing resident concerns before they derail a project.
The Art of the Pushback: Lessons from luxury sales on how to uncover a CEO's true "hot buttons." Learn the importance of asking the hard "why" questions early on and why the absolute best deals leave both sides feeling slightly uncomfortable.
Humanizing the Pitch: Ditching the stiff corporate facade and leaning into your personality. Whether you're selling a vehicle or forging a 20-year community partnership, authenticity and transparency always win the deal.
📚 Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Connect with Tianya: Have a question or just chuckled at this episode? Shoot her a text at 317-419-7710.
International Economic Development Council - 101 courses
Remember: Stay curious, get to work, and let's have some fun!
#EconomicDevelopment #SiteSelection #SalesStrategy #NIMBYism #CareerTransition #EDO #CorporateRealEstate #Leadership
 
Visit www.hyphenstrategiesllc.com for more.

Supply Chain Resilience After a Global Shock: What Site Selectors Need to Know Right Now

In a somber departure from our usual programming, host Devin Hilston-Smith addresses the immediate and staggering business fallout from Operation Epic Fury. With global markets reeling from the strikes in Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the tragic loss of American lives, the landscape of global trade has fundamentally shifted overnight.
Moving beyond geopolitical commentary, Devin breaks down the conflict strictly through the lens of site selection, economic development, and corporate real estate. If your biggest worry last Friday was a minor interest rate fluctuation, today’s reality requires an entirely new playbook. We explore why "just-in-time" supply chains are officially dead, why continuity now trumps profit margin, and how economic developers must urgently rewrite their pitches for a world in chaos.
In This Episode, We Cover:
The Supply Chain Cardiac Arrest: Why the industry is shifting from a "China Plus One" strategy to an "Exit Everywhere" mentality, and the sudden premium on inland safe-harbor ports (like Greer, SC and the Ohio River Valley).
The Energy Fortress: Navigating $125/barrel oil and the new "nuclear premium." Discover why states with heavy nuclear baseloads or microgrid capabilities will dominate site selection for the next 24 months.
The Cyber Surcharge: Why proximity to Tier 1 military targets is a massive liability, and why "dull, rural, and redundant" geography is the new sexy.
The Warflation Labor Crisis: A hidden metric site selectors must now track—reservist density—and how a sustained conflict could drain 3-5% of your skilled workforce overnight.
The Epic Fury Stress Test: A rapid-fire checklist comparing the "Friday Perspective" of site selection to the harsh "Monday Reality" of logistics, energy, cyber security, and capital.
A Note from the Host: Our thoughts are with the families of those serving in the armed forces. If you know someone in uniform or being called up, please reach out and show your support. We are navigating a world in mourning and chaos, and empathy must come first.
 
#EconomicDevelopment #SupplyChainResilience #SiteSelection #BusinessContinuity #EDO #HyphenStrategies
 
Visit www.hyphenstrategiesllc.com for more.

Podcast Production for Professionals: The Audio Setup Behind a Site Selection Podcast

"I’m trying to come up with a legitimate connection to the podcast... but maybe I just want to talk about my stuff!"
In this special technical breakdown, Devin peels back the curtain on the brand-new audio engine powering Season 3. After receiving feedback on previous audio quality, Devin invested in a professional-grade rig designed to strip away the "corporate distance" of tinny laptop mics and echoey boardrooms.
Whether you’re a podcast enthusiast, a corporate professional looking to up your remote-work game, or just curious about what goes into a high-end production, this episode is a roadmap for "humanizing" the digital voice.
What We Cover in This Episode:
The Gear Upgrade: Why Devin moved from a "compressor" mic to the Shure MV7X dynamic mic to reject office hum and background noise.
The Brain of the Operation: A look at the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) mixer and why 48V "Phantom Power" is a dangerous button to press if you don't know what you're doing.
Managing the Guest Experience: How professional headphones (Sony MDR-7506) and recording separate tracks allow for a balanced, high-quality conversation, even when one person is much louder than the other.
The Pre-Flight Ritual: From 180-degree seating arrangements to the "Fist Rule" for mic distance, Devin shares the coaching tips he uses to get corporate professionals comfortable behind the mic.
Post-Production Secrets: A step-by-step breakdown of the "Four-Step Polish" in Audacity: Noise Reduction, Filter Curve EQ, Compression, and Normalization.
The "New Gear" Checklist:
Mic: Shure MV7X
Mixer/Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
Headphones: Sony MDR-7506
Software: Audacity (DAW)
Cables: XLR (because they make a massive difference!)
Connect with Hyphen Strategies:
Follow us on LinkedIn: Hyphen Strategies, LLC
www.hyphenstrategiesllc.com

Pets, Remote Work, and Talent Attraction: The Unexpected Overlap Between Home Offices and Economic Development

How many highly confidential, multi-million dollar project calls have been derailed by a dog barking at a delivery driver?
In this episode of Site Selectors Are People, Too, we’re stepping away from the RFIs and real estate data to talk about the actual MVPs of our home offices: our pets. The economic development and site selection industry can be a grueling mix of isolated remote work and exhausting road-warrior travel. Today, we’re unpacking how our pets fit into that chaotic Venn diagram.
We discuss how the creatures living under our desks are often the only things forcing us to set boundaries, step away from the spreadsheets, and combat the enmeshment of our careers and our identities. Plus, we look at how the rise of pet ownership is fundamentally changing talent attraction and community marketing.
In this episode, we cover:
The WFH Boundary Enforcers: How our pets serve as natural circuit breakers for anxiety and overwork.
The Road Warrior Guilt & The "Pet Tax": The logistical, financial, and emotional toll of leaving our furry friends behind for a three-day FAM tour or site visit.
Pets as an ED Metric: Why pet-friendly amenities (from expansive trails to dog-friendly downtowns) are no longer just a "nice to have," but critical infrastructure for talent attraction and corporate real estate.
The Unprofessional Professionalism: Why a cat walking across a keyboard during a Zoom pitch actually humanizes this high-stakes industry.
We want to see the real co-workers behind your confidential projects! Drop a picture of your WFH pet setup on LinkedIn and tag Hyphen Strategies. Let's see who is really running these site searches.
Subscribe to Site Selectors Are People, Too wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review if you've ever had to mute your mic because of a squeaky toy.
 
ASPCA
Humane Society
Bark Box
KitNip Box
 
Visit www.hyphenstrategiesllc.com for more.

Burnout, Identity, and Coming Back: A Site Selector's Mental Health Story

"I didn’t think this podcast was coming back—especially not like this."
After a year of significant professional and personal shifts, Devin Hillsdon-Smith returns for Season 3 of Site Selectors Are People, Too. This isn't just an industry update; it’s a raw, unfiltered look at the human behind the professional.
In this episode, Devin pulls back the curtain on a 2025 that was defined by "burnout, depression, anxiety, and an identity crisis." From the end of a major professional chapter at Cushman & Wakefield to navigating a difficult personal breakup, he shares the steps he took to climb out of "rock bottom" and eventually find the light at the top of the hole.
What we explore in this episode:
The Invisible Art of Professional Burnout: Recognizing the difference between productive stress and the chronic mismanagement of workplace pressure.
The Identity Crisis of "Enmeshment": What happens when who you are becomes indistinguishable from what you do for a living.
The Path to Recovery: A candid discussion on seeking professional help, therapy, and the role of medication in managing mental health.
Rising from the Ashes: The rebirth of Hyphen Strategies, the addition of a new VP of Business Development, and the power of a strong support network.
Whether you are in site selection, economic development, or any high-intensity field, this episode is a reminder that you aren't alone in the "vibration" of mental health issues. It’s okay to not be okay—and it’s even better to reach out.
Connect with Hyphen Strategies:
Follow us on LinkedIn: Hyphen Strategies LLC
Join our first Book Club pick: Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Mental Health: Terms & Definitions Discussed
Burnout: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout is strictly defined as an occupational phenomenon, not a medical condition. It is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.
Depression: As defined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act. It is pervasive and impacts all areas of a person's life.
Anxiety: While normal anxiety is a temporary human emotion characterized by the anticipation of a future concern, an anxiety disorder crosses the line from a standard stress response into excessive, persistent, and intrusive fear or worry that disrupts daily functioning.
Identity Crisis (and "Enmeshment"): A term coined by developmental psychologist Erik Erikson, describing a period of intense uncertainty and confusion about one's sense of self or role in society. In high-stakes careers, this often leads to "enmeshment"—where the boundary between who you are and what you do for a living completely dissolves.
Mental Health & Crisis Resources: If you or someone you know is struggling, you do not have to go through it alone. Please reach out to a professional or use the resources below:
The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (Available 24/7 in the US and Canada).
Online Chat: 988lifeline.org
Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1.
 
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Real Estate Activation for Economic Development: How to Turn Land Into a Competitive Site Selection Asset

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

How to Host a FAM Tour That Actually Impresses Site Selectors: Keith Gillenwater on the Jackson, Michigan Playbook

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