The Ribbon Cut

Most economic development wins look like overnight successes. They're not. The real work starts 2–3 years before any public announcement and most people never see it. Susan and Charles sit down with Tiffany Coleman, Economic Development Project Manager at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, to pull back the curtain on how regions attract businesses, retain employers, and build long-term prosperity. Tiffany has sat on both sides of the table, navigating a manufacturing startup and leading regional growth initiatives, making her perspective uniquely candid and practical. What you'll learn: → Why economic development projects are shrouded in NDAs and code names (and why that protects you) → How the Greater Des Moines Partnership became the 2nd-largest regional chamber in the nation → The shift toward data transparency and "digital infrastructure" for site selectors → Why keeping existing businesses is just as important as landing new ones → How Central Iowa became a magnet for finance, insurance, and AgTech growth → The EOS framework the Partnership uses to track regional success → Tiffany's non-linear path from life sciences to 20 years in economic development If you work in economic development, site selection, local government, or want to understand how your community grows, this one's for you. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

The way site selectors search has evolved, and communities have more opportunity than ever to participate early in the process. In this episode, Susan and Charles examine how discovery in corporate location strategy is increasingly shaped by structured visibility. Drawing on lessons from Rich Barton's experiences building Expedia and Zillow, they explore how aggregation reorganizes search by giving buyers the ability to filter, narrow, and save options before formal RFIs, calls, or site visits occur. Today’s projects often begin with digital screening. Site selectors filter by workforce, transportation access, acreage, and utility providers. Structured data supports early confidence, and aggregated platforms ensure properties can be searched and saved as favorites before direct engagement begins. This episode explores: • How buyer behavior in site selection mirrors the evolution of Expedia for travel and Zillow for residential real estate • Why digital screening happens before formal outreach • What site selectors look for when early-stage searching • How LocationOne.com supports searching, filtering, and favorites • What property analytics and activity trends reveal about engagement • How aggregation strengthens local storytelling rather than replacing it As aggregation continues to shape early discovery, communities that align with how buyers search today are expanding their reach, increasing meaningful consideration, and positioning themselves for stronger opportunities in the years ahead. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

When markets feel uncertain, site selection doesn’t stop. It becomes more selective, more compressed, and more dependent on clear, reliable site information.In this episode of The Ribbon Cut, Susan and Charles sit down with Lindsey Cannon of Quest Site Solutions to talk about what actually happens when projects move from early interest to real evaluation, and why many sites fall out once timelines, utilities, permitting, and data quality come into focus.Lindsey shares what her team sees across active projects nationwide, including how quickly poor information presentation can eliminate an otherwise viable site and why readiness shows up long before a site visit is scheduled.In this episode:• How uncertainty reshapes—not pauses—site selection activity.• Why “urgent” projects often collapse when constraints surface.• What site selectors notice first when reviewing site information.• How data quality and clarity influence early elimination.• What consistently helps prepared sites rise to the top.For economic developers and property owners focused on site readiness, this conversation offers a grounded look at what truly differentiates competitive sites when decisions start getting real. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

Public economic data systems are being stretched thinner at the same time local decision-making depends on them more than ever. In this episode of The Ribbon Cut, Susan and Charles are joined by Ken Poole to explain what’s happening behind the scenes at federal data agencies, and why staffing cuts, privacy constraints, and rising demand for localized detail are changing how workforce and economic data should be interpreted.In this episode:• Why public data systems are struggling to keep up with local demand.• How staffing losses at agencies like BLS impact continuity and reliability.• Where privacy constraints limit the granularity communities need.• Why private data sources are filling gaps—and where caution is required.• What this shift means for defensible, data-backed decision-making.For economic developers, analysts, and consultants who rely on workforce and employment data, this episode provides essential context for navigating today’s increasingly fragile data environment. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

Rural economic development is less about landing one big win and more about making disciplined, data-backed decisions over time.Carolyn Chrisman of Chrisman Consulting joins Susan and Charles to discuss how data-driven strategy helps rural communities move past assumptions and build realistic paths forward. Drawing from decades of methodology rooted in the Ady Advantage legacy, Carolyn explains how communities identify what they’re actually competitive in and what to stop chasing.In this episode:Why assumptions hold rural regions back more than lack of resources.How target industry analysis separates opportunity from wishful thinking.What location quotients, growth projections, and industry clusters really reveal.The biggest workforce and housing constraints rural communities face today.How education and expectation-setting shape successful strategies.Why long-term planning beats chasing short-term deals.For economic developers, utilities, and consultants working in rural markets, this episode offers a grounded framework for building strategies that are honest, defensible, and sustainable. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

Site selection has changed dramatically over the last two decades, but many communities are still operating as if it hasn’t.In this episode, Larry Gigerich of Ginovus joins Susan and Charles to share what he’s learned from more than 25 years advising companies across North America. From manufacturing and life sciences to logistics and data centers, Larry breaks down how decisions really get made, and where communities most often fall behind.In this episode:How site selection timelines have compressed, and why speed now outweighs polish.What “readiness” actually means from the consultant’s side of the table.Why transparent, complete data matters more than aggressive marketing.How desktop diligence has replaced early site visits, and what that means for communities.Common mistakes regions make before an RFP ever goes out.Advice for young professionals entering site selection and economic development today.Whether you’re responding to RFIs, preparing sites, or trying to stay relevant in a faster-moving market, this conversation offers a clear look at how site selectors think and what earns their trust. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

LOIS has been around for more than two decades, but many teams still ask what makes it different from other property marketing tools. In this FAQ edition, Susan and Charles take you inside the origins of LOIS, why a utility originally built it, and how it grew into one of the most widely adopted mapping platforms in economic development.In this episode:How LOIS helps communities create a clear, data-backed digital presence.Why “if you can map it, you can show it” matters for industrial recruitment.How statewide maps scale down to regions and local identities without losing nuance.Why unlimited photos, videos, and due diligence documents change the game.How every LOIS listing extends reach through LocationOne.com — viewed from people from 57 countries each month.If you’re responsible for marketing sites, shaping your digital strategy, or helping communities get discovered, this episode offers a straightforward, practical guide to what LOIS does and why it works. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

Everyone has questions about how to manage RFIs better, and Lasso sits at the center of that conversation. In this episode, Susan and Charles walk through the most common questions they hear from both site selectors and economic development teams about how the platform actually works in practice. The result is a clear, grounded look at what makes collaboration faster, cleaner, and more secure when projects get complicated.In this episode:--> Why Lasso was built as a private, cloud-based workspace for project collaboration.--> How more than 6,000 economic developers have already replied inside the system.--> What “clean data” really means when timelines are tight.--> Why Lasso doesn’t replace your CRM — and what it does better.--> How templates and recallable answers save hours across state, regional, and local teams.Whether you're responding to RFIs, managing multi-partner coordination, or trying to create more consistency in your process, this episode brings the essentials into focus. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

Design-build is just the beginning. In this episode, we talk with Oliver Muenz-Winkler of Clayco, one of the nation’s largest integrated construction firms, to learn how they embed themselves in the full lifecycle of economic development. And, why that model is reshaping how big projects get built. We cover how Clayco’s approach goes far beyond concrete:--> Why they invest heavily in cultivating local subcontractor networks.--> How they partner with utilities, railroads, and state agencies from day one.--> What makes a community “data center ready,” and why some should say no. Clayco isn’t just building facilities. They’re building ecosystems around their projects that drive workforce development, infrastructure investment, and long-term business retention. If you want to attract complex projects (and keep them healthy) this episode is essential listening. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

Forget flashy incentives. South Dakota is winning advanced manufacturing and foreign direct investment by doing the fundamentals better than most. In this episode of the Ribbon Cut podcast, we sit down with Adam Molseed from the Governor's Office of Economic Development to explore how South Dakota is carving out a competitive edge by being fast, friendly, and financially lean. We explore what makes this approach so effective, including:--> The role of revolving loan funds and regional partnerships in unlocking capital.--> How the state uses relationship-based development to build trust with corporate decision-makers.--> Why South Dakota is seeing new momentum in data centers, biomanufacturing, and advanced ag. If you lead economic development in a similar-sized state or region, this episode offers a blueprint for using strategic partnerships and a practical, business-friendly environment to create an even playing field where every business can thrive. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

Richard Blackwell has lived every phase of economic development on projects across 23 states. From spec buildings to industrial parks with built-in career centers. In this episode of The Ribbon Cut, we cover:--> How to build real public-private partnerships in smaller markets.--> What economic developers can learn from supply chain modeling.--> The site criteria Agracel uses to pick its next location.--> Why rural doesn’t mean risky, and how long-term holds shape better outcomes. Richard also shares how one manufacturing project in Greer changed the course of his family’s future, and why that still drives his work today. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

Workforce data is about more than just filling jobs. It’s actually a strategic asset in the fight to win site selection deals.In this episode, Josh Wright of Lightcast joins Susan and Charles to unpack how labor market intelligence helps economic developers, site selectors, and corporate leaders make smarter location decisions. From real-time analytics to national demographic shifts, this conversation delivers a grounded look at how workforce data can guide both immediate RFIs and 20-year regional strategies.In this episode:--> How “data at the point of decision” changes site selection outcomes.--> What the upcoming “Rising Storm” report reveals about the U.S. labor shortage—and why it matters now.--> Why metro-level benchmarking outperforms county-based analysis for talent attraction.--> How Lightcast’s Talent Attraction Scorecard became a go-to tool for EDOs and site consultants.--> What public-private partnerships can learn from regions like Fargo, Orlando, and South Carolina.--> What’s actually working to retain, retrain, and realign the next generation of skilled labor.Whether you're building a regional strategy, advising a corporate client, or responding to your next RFI, this episode provides clear, actionable insight into why labor markets still hold the key to winning deals. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

Before a site goes live, the engineering has to work. So does the partnership.Brett Lauritsen from Olsson joins Susan and Charles to talk about what actually moves the needle on project readiness. With two decades of experience at one of the country’s largest engineering firms, Brett shares how teams can prevent delays, reduce rework, and stay competitive—especially when deals move faster than ever.In this episode:--> What site selectors are really asking when they say, “Is this site ready?”--> The gap between utility availability and utility capacity—and why it matters.--> How to avoid surprises by bringing engineers in before the RFI goes out.--> What “fast-track permitting” looks like in practice, and where it breaks down.--> Why engineering is more than a technical service—it's a strategic lever.--> How candid conversations upfront save months of friction later.You’ll also hear how Olsson’s team builds trust with both public and private sector clients by telling them what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear. For economic developers, engineers, and anyone on the front lines of project delivery, this episode lays out the fundamentals of building confidence before you break ground. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

Rail-served sites aren’t just about transportation—they’re about strategy.Adam Hess of CSX joins Susan Donkers to unpack what companies need to know when evaluating rail access as part of a location decision. With decades of experience and billions in capital investment supported through the CSX Select Site program, Adam shares what separates the contenders from the pretenders.In this episode:--> Who rail really serves well—and who’s better off somewhere else.--> What makes the intermodal network so powerful—and what companies often misunderstand.--> How CSX uses real data, not marketing speak, to validate site readiness.--> The new Gold, Silver, and Bronze designations—and how they help developers benchmark performance.--> Why inbound materials matter more than outbound products in many cases.--> How the CSX site design team removes friction from complex logistics.--> Lessons from Project Skyfall—and how 30 site visits paid off with one big win.Whether you’re working on a heavy industrial deal, evaluating plastics and polymers, or just trying to understand rail’s role in your logistics mix, this conversation breaks it down in clear, actionable terms.  Learn more about Strata Platforms.

If you're helping a manufacturing company land their next U.S. facility, this episode is packed with practical insight. Brian Devlin of ARCO Design/Build joins Susan Donkers to explain how an integrated design-build approach removes risk from site selection—especially when speed, complexity, or growth are at stake. From cleanrooms to packaging facilities, from site plans to regulatory approvals, the real design challenge often lives inside the building. In this episode: --> What companies are really trying to solve (hint: it’s not just square footage). Why inside-the-box planning is just as critical as what’s on the map.--> What global firms overlook about U.S. permitting, utilities, and timelines.--> How a “land and expand” mindset reduces long-term costs and disruptions.--> What design-build firms see early that others don’t—and how that helps prevent surprises.--> Lessons from projects in Raleigh and Little Rock, and how local conditions affect national planning.--> Why economic developers and design-build teams are stronger when aligned from day one. With 47 offices and projects across every U.S. state, ARCO brings national experience with local intelligence—and Brian explains why that matters more than ever. For site selectors, end-users, or EDOs, this episode offers sharp, strategic advice on doing it right the first time. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

Mike Grella (ex-Amazon, now Active Infrastructure) joins Strata to reveal what most communities get wrong about data centers. We go deep on power access, permitting pitfalls, and what it really takes to be ready for billion-dollar infrastructure projects. From Welcome Wagons to nuclear power, this is a must-listen for any region trying to win the next hyperscaler investment. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

Ever wonder who’s really behind the labor market data shaping corporate investment decisions? This episode takes you inside two pivotal conferences—C2ER and SelectUSA—through the eyes of Strata's team. We unpack how economic researchers drive decisions behind the scenes, how FDI flows through U.S. communities, and why data storytelling matters more than ever. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

Kim Gerlt of Missouri Partnership shares how Missouri is positioning itself as a strategic landing zone for major business investments. We discuss her work overseeing business recruitment and building capacity while promoting the state’s strengths in infrastructure, water access, workforce training, and collaboration.The conversation dives into the state's recent wins: an $800 million meat processing facility from American Foods Group, a $1 billion Google data center, and Meta's $800 million investment in Kansas City. Kim explains how Missouri’s central location allows companies to reach 50% of the U.S. within one day’s drive, making it an attractive site for food production and logistics.She talks about the "Raise the Bar" initiative: a comprehensive effort that includes hands-on training, mock site visits, and site evaluations to ensure Missouri’s communities are prepared for site selection projects. The state’s focus on readying both mega (1,000+ acre) and premier (200+ acre) sites has led to strong interest from global investors, even before formal marketing begins.Other highlights include Missouri One Start’s role in workforce readiness and the development of NGA West in St. Louis, which positions Missouri as a tech-forward hub in geospatial intelligence. Kim closes with a heartfelt reflection on why she’s committed to growing opportunity in her home state. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

In the inaugural episode of The Ribbon Cut, co-hosts Susan Donkers and Charles Houser sit down to explore the long, often invisible process behind site selection and economic development. They share the behind the scenes on global investment decisions and infrastructure strategy, revealing how “ribbon cut” moments often come after years of unseen effort.Charles talks about his path from long-distance telecom entrepreneurship to co-founding Green Cloud Technologies, an early cloud infrastructure company that grew to become the fastest-growing business in South Carolina by 2016. He highlights the evolution of the industry, from dial-up internet to the rise of data centers and how demand for digital infrastructure has reshaped development needs.Susan shares her equally winding path, from studying construction management to working on military data centers post-9/11, to joining a global architecture and engineering firm, and ultimately pivoting into site selection through a chance encounter at a Greenville networking event. She reveals how her work at Global Location Strategies aimed not only to support client deals but also to improve the transparency and speed of the site selection process through technology.Together, they discuss the fragmented nature of the site selection industry, the need for standardization, and the enormous role local and regional economic developers play, often behind the scenes. They also talk about the creation of Strata Platforms and its mission to help underserved regions become more competitive by leveraging technology to speed up deal-making.The episode wraps with a nod to their home in Greenville, SC, offering visitors travel tips, and a reflection on why they chose the podcast name “The Ribbon Cut”, a tribute to the celebration that marks the end of years of collaboration, persistence, and progress. Learn more about Strata Platforms.

Welcome to The Ribbon Cut, the podcast pulling back the curtain on the complex, competitive, and often misunderstood world of site selection and economic development. Whether you're an economic developer, a corporate self-performer, or a seasoned site selector, this show is your insider pass to the decisions shaping the future of business growth and community development. Each episode features candid conversations with the people who actually make it happen—from groundbreakers to data geeks, deal-makers to ribbon cutters. We talk wins and failures, trends and tech, and the unexpected human stories behind site decisions that move millions. Think of us as your field guide to navigating RFPs, RFIs, incentives, timelines, and the real-world trade-offs that turn potential into projects. Whether you're building a new facility, managing the search process in-house, or just curious about how the deals get done, The Ribbon Cut delivers insights with soul and strategies that scale. Learn more about Strata Platforms.