The SEDC Podcast

LIVE from the 2026 #AmericanSouth Site Selection Summit - Russ Myer, Gus Fontenot, and Maggie Cromeens

On location at the 2026 American South Site Selection Summit in Arlington, Texas, host Ray Methvin of Insyteful sits down for a series of one-on-one interviews examining the mechanics of site readiness and municipal development. The first interview features Russ Meyer, Executive Director of the Jessamine County Joint Economic Development Authority, who shares strategies for competitive positioning in the Bluegrass region. Meyer discusses the importance of infrastructure preparation, pro-business local leadership, and maintaining an updated inventory of available properties to capture expanding manufacturing and commercial projects. The focus then shifts to distinct development strategies being deployed across other areas of the South. Gus Fontenot, Director of Projects and Site Development for the SWLA Economic Development Alliance, details the technical side of site certification and industrial readiness in Southwest Louisiana. Finally, Maggie Cromeens, Executive Director of the Cuero Development Corporation, explores economic diversification and small business support strategies within historic community footprints. Together, these conversations demonstrate the targeted approaches used throughout the Southern Economic Development Council network to foster resilient regional economies and secure new capital investment. The SEDC Podcast is sponsored by Insyteful.

LIVE from the 2026 #AmericanSouth Site Selection Summit - Mark Lawson, Ashton Bellows, and Shannon Blake

Live from the 2026 #AmericanSouth Site Selection Summit in Arlington, Texas, host Ray Methvin of Insyteful sits down for individual interviews with regional leaders to discuss localized strategies for industrial and commercial growth. The first segment features Mark Lawson, President of Cary Economic Development, who shares insights on managing rapid community expansion and high-tech sector recruitment. Lawson emphasizes how workforce development, infrastructure preparation, and community assets play a vital role in sustaining long-term regional competitiveness for corporate relocations. The focus then shifts to key leadership from the Sherman Economic Development Corporation. Ashton Bellows, Chief Financial Officer, details the financial mechanics of modern economic development, explaining how strategic funding, capital incentives, and industrial park development effectively scale local infrastructure. Following Bellows, Shannon Blake, Vice President of Business Development, explores primary employment growth and the targeted marketing strategies necessary to attract global employers. Together, these interviews highlight the exact operational and financial alignment required across the Southern Economic Development Council footprint to secure major capital projects. The SEDC Podcast is sponsored by Insyteful

LIVE from the 2026 #AmericanSouth Site Selection Summit - Chuck Sexton & Robert Long

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.

LIVE from the 2026 #AmericanSouth Site Selection Summit - Pat Ford, Cam Huffman, Christie Goodman Duke

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.

LIVE from the 2026 #AmericanSouth Site Selection Summit - Carl Quesinberry & Kevin Carter

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.