Site Selectors Are People, Too

Devin Hillsdon-Smith
  • 4.9 (17)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

This show explores the relationship between the professionals who work tirelessly to match corporate investment to communities across North America. Behind every multi-million dollar corporate investment and community revitalization is a high-stress, high-stakes relationship between site selectors and economic developers. Site Selectors Are People, Too pulls back the curtain on this intricate dance. Join our host, Devin Hillsdon-Smith, as he steps away from the spreadsheets to humanize the profession. Whether diving into actionable strategies for real estate activation, navigating the exhaustion of road-warrior travel, or tackling the mental health realities of a demanding career, this podcast brings candid conversations, expert insights, and a touch of fun to the business of building communities. Let's get to work—and have some fun!

  1. 3D AGO

    The Architects of Prosperity: The Classical Revolution

    In Part 4 of our special mini-series, The Architects of Prosperity, we explore the intellectual revolution that killed the ultimate zero-sum game: mercantilism. For centuries, nations believed wealth was finite, fighting endless trade wars to hoard gold. This episode unpacks how a quiet Scottish philosopher and a ruthless London stockbroker completely rewired the global economy. Discover how the concepts of the "invisible hand" and comparative advantage dismantled state-sponsored monopolies, birthed modern free trade, and created the intellectual blueprint for globalization. In This Episode, We Cover: The Pin Factory Revolution: How eccentric philosopher Adam Smith proved wealth isn't hoarded gold, using a simple pin factory to introduce the division of labor and the "invisible hand." The Waterloo Stockbroker: How David Ricardo, a self-taught financier who made a fortune betting on the Battle of Waterloo, stepped in to solve the ultimate puzzle of global trade. The Law of Comparative Advantage: The famous England vs. Portugal "wine and cloth" dilemma, proving why free trade works even if your region is terrible at producing absolutely everything. The Corn Laws & Free Trade: The decades-long political war over British grain tariffs that ended with the state abandoning mercantilism and launching the era of globalization. The Nerd Section: A post-story look at how the shift from absolute to comparative advantage directly impacts how modern site selectors conduct target industry analyses and build specialized regional economies. #EconomicDevelopment #TheArchitectsOfProsperity #AdamSmith #DavidRicardo #FreeTrade #ComparativeAdvantage #SiteSelection #Podcast #EconDevHistory

    55 min

  2. APR 7

    The Architects of Prosperity: The Price of Innovation

    In Part 3 of our special mini-series, The Architects of Prosperity, we explore the dangerous genesis of the narrative economy and the world's first great financial panics. Drowning in war debt, 18th-century France and Britain turned to professional gamblers to securitize their liabilities. This episode unpacks how desperate governments learned to manipulate market psychology—from the debunked myth of the Dutch Tulip Mania to the Scottish fugitive who temporarily bought the French economy. Discover how the world's first "too big to fail" bailout paved the way for the British Empire, while the lack of one sparked the French Revolution. In This Episode, We Cover: The Flower That Wasn't a Crisis: Why the 1630s Dutch Tulip Mania was actually just a localized futures market, not a macroeconomic disaster. The Murderer Who Bought a Country: How Scottish fugitive John Law introduced paper money to France and sold shares in muddy Louisiana swampland. The South Sea Bubble: How Britain copied France's house of cards, creating a state-sponsored insider trading ring that wiped out Sir Isaac Newton's life savings. The First "Too Big to Fail": Why Britain's decision to bail out their financial system launched the Industrial Revolution, while France's collapse led to the guillotine. The Nerd Section: A post-story look at how 18th-century financial alchemy built the modern economic architecture of municipal bonds and TIF districts used today. #EconomicDevelopment #TheArchitectsOfProsperity #FinancialHistory #JohnLaw #SouthSeaBubble #TooBigToFail #SiteSelection #Podcast #EconDevHistory

    38 min

  3. MAR 31

    The Architects of Prosperity: The King's Site Selector

    In Part 2 of our 10-part series on the history of modern economic development, we leave the modern boardroom behind and travel back to 1660s France. Before RFPs and zoning laws, there was Jean-Baptiste Colbert—a cold, workaholic French bureaucrat known as the "Man of Marble." Serving under King Louis XIV, Colbert looked at a massive but economically floundering nation and effectively appointed himself the Vice President of Economic Development. From launching the most aggressive Request for Information (RFI) in history to engaging in deadly corporate espionage to steal Venetian tech, this episode explores how a 17th-century pragmatist invented the modern toolkit of tax abatements, talent attraction, and infrastructure grants. In This Episode, We Cover: The Man of Marble: An introduction to Jean-Baptiste Colbert, the obsessive architect of the French economy who used massive audits and data-tracking to turn the state into an information-processing machine. The Mirror Heist: A thrilling tale of 17th-century corporate espionage, where Colbert smuggled master glassblowers out of Venice, dodged assassins, and founded Saint-Gobain—all to build the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. The First Megasite: How Colbert lured Dutch industrialist Josse van Robais to France with a massive incentive package—including cash, monopolies, and a rare religious exemption—to build a city-sized textile operation. Infrastructure as Strategy: The story behind the Canal du Midi, an ambitious public-private partnership that built a 150-mile canal to completely cut rival Spain out of the global supply chain. The Compliance Officer from Hell: The dark side of Colbert’s command economy, where failing to meet strict state quality standards resulted in public shaming, smashed equipment, and literal time in the pillory. The Nerd Section (Mercantilism & Statecraft): A post-story deep dive into the academic theory of bullionism, zero-sum economics, and how mundane bureaucratic rules like the English Navigation Acts shaped modern state power. #EconomicDevelopment #TheArchitectsOfProsperity #JeanBaptisteColbert #Mercantilism #CorporateEspionage #SiteSelection #Podcast #EconDevHistory #SiteSelectorsArePeopleToo   Visit us at Hyphen Strategies, LLC See the Infographic

    47 min

  4. MAR 24

    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 See the Infographic

    20 min

  5. MAR 17

    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.

    1h 36m

  6. MAR 10

    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   Visit www.hyphenstrategiesllc.com for more.

    1h 37m

  7. MAR 3

    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.

    1h 10m

  8. MAR 3

    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.

    16 min
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About

This show explores the relationship between the professionals who work tirelessly to match corporate investment to communities across North America. Behind every multi-million dollar corporate investment and community revitalization is a high-stress, high-stakes relationship between site selectors and economic developers. Site Selectors Are People, Too pulls back the curtain on this intricate dance. Join our host, Devin Hillsdon-Smith, as he steps away from the spreadsheets to humanize the profession. Whether diving into actionable strategies for real estate activation, navigating the exhaustion of road-warrior travel, or tackling the mental health realities of a demanding career, this podcast brings candid conversations, expert insights, and a touch of fun to the business of building communities. Let's get to work—and have some fun!

Information

  • Creator
    Devin Hillsdon-Smith
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Site Selectors Are People, Too