The Ribbon Cut

The Hidden Timeline of Economic Development with Tiffany Coleman

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.

Why LocationOne.com Uses Zillow-Style Aggregation for Site Selection Search Before the RFI

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 [https://strataplatforms.com/].

Benchmarking the World: Why U.S. Data Sets the Global Standard

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 [https://strataplatforms.com/].

Data Under Pressure: What’s Breaking (and What Still Works) in Economic Intelligence

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 [https://strataplatforms.com/].

Data, Rural America & the Long Game: A Conversation with Carolyn Chrisman

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 [https://strataplatforms.com/].