235: Site Selection Doesn't Start With the Site with Thane Hutcheson

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane talks with Thane Hutcheson about what site selection looks like from the company side of the table, beginning with why the process often starts with markets, labor, supply chains, and operating conditions rather than a specific piece of dirt.

Thane explains how companies narrow their choices, why falling in love with a community or site too early can create problems, and what the best economic development teams do differently—from submitting only sites that actually fit to helping visiting companies visualize what long-term success in the community would look like.

They also discuss incentives, the growing role of AI in professional services, and why automating data gathering and analytical work can free economic developers and consultants to spend more time building relationships, exercising judgment, and doing the work that still requires humans.

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10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

Understand the market-level decision before pitching individual sites.

Companies may narrow locations based on labor availability, labor costs, specialized occupations, supply chains, utility costs, and other operating factors before they ever start comparing properties.

Don't lead with dirt when the project isn't ready for dirt.

Learn what the company is actually solving for first. A perfect site in the wrong labor market or supply-chain location may never be competitive.

Submit fewer, better-fitting properties.

If an RFI asks for 20–50 acres with specific characteristics, don't pad the response with properties that obviously fall outside the requirements. Protect the company's time and your own.

Know what surrounds the site, not just what is on it.