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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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 South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development to explore how South Dakota is carving out a competitive edge by being fast, friendly, and financially lean.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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.