15. Economic Development Series: Devin Hillsdon Smith | Hyphen Strategies
The Driving Change PodcastShow Notes
Welcome to Part 1 of our special three-part Economic Development Series on the Driving Change Podcast! In this kickoff episode, host Keeley Stingel sits down with 15-year economic development veteran Devin Hillsdon-Smith, Founder & Principal of Hyphen Strategies, to pull back the curtain on how site selection really works behind closed doors. From state-level programs at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and major industrial deals at River Ridge Commerce Center to national site selection advising, Devin shares the essential strategies local leaders need to position their communities for long-term growth. In This Episode, We Cover: Part 1 of 3 (Econ Dev Series): Kicking off our dedicated deep dive into local economic growth, municipal strategy, and community partnerships.
The Invisible Workload of Local Economic Developers: Why economic development professionals are the critical "glue" in local government—balancing infrastructure, housing, utilities, childcare, and business retention—and why local elected officials must support them.
Inside the Site Selection Process: A step-by-step breakdown of how site selectors evaluate communities, what shortlisting actually means, and why fast RFI responses are essential.
Site Readiness = Risk Mitigation: How securing land options, zoning, engineering plans, and due diligence in advance drastically reduces risk for prospective companies and helps communities win major investments.
The Power of Community Culture & Vibe: Why qualitative factors—like downtown vibrancy, welcoming culture, and authentic local leadership—can make or break a final site selection decision.
Connect & Resources: 🌐 Learn more about Hyphen Strategies: hyphenstrategiesllc.com 🎧 Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts & Spotify
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