Consultant Connect

We are thrilled to celebrate Gabriella Nuzzo as a Top 50 Economic Developer of 2024! Gabriella is the Senior VP of Economic Development at the Greater Jackson Alliance. Throughout her career, Gabriella has fostered community and economic growth across the great state of Mississippi. Read on to learn more about Gabriella! What is your favorite characteristic of your community or region? Why? The creativity and grit of our developers. My region is blessed with some of the most creative economic development professionals in the country. I love seeing how they push the limits to work through challenges and put winning deals together. We are often credited with using our smaller size to our advantage, allowing us to be agile and cut down on bureaucracy. When there’s a roadblock, we do whatever it takes to find a solution and eliminate it. The industries that locate here are our priority, and no issue is too big or small for us. What led you to economic development? What’s kept you here? Like many rural states, Mississippi has struggled with a "brain drain" problem. Instead of moving away and contributing to the issue, I wanted to stay and help address it. No one wants to see the place they grew up in struggle. My first job out of college was with the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA). I was hooked on the profession during my first week on the job and haven’t looked back since. The people in this field are some of the finest you’ll ever meet, and they are what keep me here. I love that we can compete on projects and then share a drink afterward, learning from each other. I feel honored to be part of a profession where we constantly push each other to be the best we can be. What is your favorite economic development memory? The best day of my professional career was when AWS announced they were investing at least $10 billion and creating over 1,000 jobs in our region. It was incredibly exciting to hear one of the world's largest tech companies praise Mississippi’s nimbleness and announce to the world that they chose Madison County, Mississippi, to do business. Stay connected with Consultant Connect and get more exciting announcements like North America’s Top 50 Economic Developer Awards by signing up for our mailing list! Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gQ3VxF5W #economicdevelopment #econdev #award

Last week was incredible! We brought together a diverse group of national and international economic developers in New York City for our final New York Summit of 2024. The first day's discussions centered around data centers and the ongoing challenges that energy-intensive projects pose to communities. On the second day, we focused on office space, highlighting the resurgence site consultants are observing in Class B and C office space projects. We wrapped up the event with dining experiences worthy of the Empire City and, of course, built new connections. We are so grateful for our partnership with the New York City Economic Development Corporation and team. Thank you for sponsoring our New York Summits and hosting us in your community. Stay tuned—dates for the 2025 Summit Series are coming soon! Sign up for our emails to be the first to know when the dates are announced. Sign up for our mailing list here: https://lnkd.in/g47AK_dR #EconomicDevelopment #EconDev #NYC

Today, we’re celebrating Erin Silk, CEcD, President & CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, as a recipient of North America's Top 50 Economic Developer Award. It has been a pleasure getting to know Erin better and learning about all the exciting developments in Sarasota County. Read on to learn more: How has economic development changed since you entered the field? The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything for economic development. It forced us to think differently and challenge industry norms, and I believe we are a stronger industry because of it. Economic developers are now more collaborative and embracing technology. What shifts do you feel will happen in the profession over the next five years? Technology is rapidly changing and will have major implications for economic development and the industries we serve. Economic developers must stay on top of technological developments that affect our target industries and communities. Technology will help and challenge us. As professionals, we need to embrace innovation and think outside the box. Doing things the way "they have always been done" just won't cut it anymore. What is your favorite characteristic of your community or region? Why? Sarasota County, Florida, sits on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. We are home to the country's best beaches and world-class arts and cultural assets. Our community attracts incredible, talented people from all over the world. I always tell companies that Sarasota County is unique because many people have relocated here from elsewhere. Because of that, there is a truly collaborative business community, and everyone is committed to growing a strong business base and economy. It is the best place in the world to be an economic developer. What led you to economic development? What’s kept you here? I strongly believe that everyone has a duty to give back to their community, no matter how big or small their impact. I have a passion for business and for bettering my community, so I can't think of a better profession! What is your economic development superpower? My economic development superpower is bringing together individuals with diverse viewpoints around a common cause. Economic development requires community collaboration; it truly cannot exist without it. The most successful economic developers are both technically skilled and highly collaborative. Want to celebrate the awardees in person? Join us for ECONOMIX 2024, November 19-21 in Salt Lake City, Utah! Register here:https://lnkd.in/gPeSaaU6 #economicdevelopment #econdev #award

Introducing Our First Mid-Year Site Consultant Report! 🚀 We're excited to bring you the latest industry insights from our network of site consultants in this first edition. Twice a year, we’ll share a comprehensive report that covers the most important trends, news, and strategies shaping the industry. We understand your time is valuable, and you can’t always attend every meeting or event—this report is designed to keep you informed on what matters most. In this first issue, we dive into: • Power Play: The current state of energy availability • Laying the Foundation: Proactive strategies for site development • The Competitive Advantage: Unlocking your community’s potential Read the report: https://lnkd.in/dpMqSunD We’d love to hear your thoughts! Let us know what you find helpful or what you think we can improve. Your feedback is crucial in making these resources as valuable as possible. Share your comments below! 👇 #economicdevelopment #econdev

There’s never a dull moment at our Summit Series events, and the last few weeks were no exception. We were thrilled to host 15 site consultants for each of our 2024 Chicago Summits and a total of 20 economic developers. Our discussions covered the ongoing energy and talent crisis and explored diverse perspectives on trending projects like electric vehicle manufacturing plants and site readiness. We are always excited to bring together brilliant minds in economic development and site selection. It’s a privilege to host an event where we witness such powerful conversations and new ideas being born.  Join the conversation by registering for your Summit Seat today: https://lnkd.in/gbP9NQ7n #economicdevelopment #econdev #enery #workforce

Last week, we returned to the Big Apple to partner with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for their NYC Site Consultant Event. Over two days in the city, we hosted 11 site consultants who delved into discussions about current industry trends, project insights, and provided perspectives on how Michigan is poised for growth. Partnering with Michigan is always a pleasure, and we love discovering the incredible opportunities the Great Lakes State has to offer! View more of our incredible partners here: https://lnkd.in/gvHzxmUz #EconomicDevelopment #PureMichigan #SiteConsulting #IndustryTrends #GrowthOpportunities

Today is all about Cynthia McMullin, our incredible Events Director and Community Consultant! Consultant Connect would not be the same without the endless creativity and hospitality Cynthia brings to our events. Cynthia is a cheerleader for all our clients' communities and uses her experience and talent to help all communities shine. We asked Cynthia a few questions. Read on to hear what she has to say!   Describe your role at Consultant Connect. My team relies on me to be the ultimate experience curator and event designer. Whether you are an economic developer or site consultant, it is crucial that our events foster an atmosphere for connection and relationship-building through unique experiences. It is essential that our events showcase innovation, so I am always researching the latest trends in hospitality and placemaking and try to incorporate those into our events.   What do you like most about working at Consultant Connect? I love that our events serve economic developers, who are like community superheroes working behind the scenes to promote growth, development, and jobs for their regions. Through our consulting work with communities, we can help design events that creatively showcase their unique assets to site consultants. It is an honor to cheer on our nation’s top economic developers!   What is your favorite Consultant Connect memory? There are so many fun memories at Consultant Connect as we’ve experienced some cool bucket list items and hilarious stories. Our team has executed hundreds of events over the years, and we all know there’s always something that doesn’t go as planned. Let’s see… there was the time I alarmed the Governor’s detail by dropping an event banner, or when a guest speaker accidentally locked himself in the fire escape, or when I had to transport dozens of boxes of event beverages via a New York cab (and that was all one event!).   What is something most people don't know about you? In another life, I think I could have been an anthropologist. I am fascinated by other cultures, both around the world and from our past.   Who inspires you? Female leaders who are not only incredibly talented but also actively support and encourage other women. It is especially inspiring to see the next generation of rising talent being celebrated and mentored. No matter what the field, it gives me all the feels to see a network of support!   Want to meet the whole team? Learn about us here: https://lnkd.in/gksq9i4D #economicdevelopment #econdev #team

Huge congratulations to Eric Icard, Senior Director of Business Development at The Right Place, Inc. Place, for receiving North America’s Top 50 Economic Developer Award for 2024! We are thrilled for him and all of the success he has achieved while working with The Right Place. Read on to hear more from Eric!   What shifts do you feel will happen in the profession over the next five years? Traditionally, economic development organizations have focused on the metrics of new jobs and investment. Moving forward, I think talent and placemaking will be a bigger part of our work. The pandemic has taught us that people have options as to where to live and play. Communities offering more amenities are going to be a bigger draw.   What is your favorite characteristic of your community or region? Why? The people make Greater Grand Rapids a wonderful place to live and work. Natural beauty, Lake Michigan, and the four distinct seasons make the region a wonderful place to play. West Michiganders take pride in themselves and their community. It shows in the cleanliness of our streets and neighborhoods and the philanthropic spirit. I have never lived anywhere with such a tremendous amount of collaboration.   What is a personal goal you’re really excited to achieve? Greater Grand Rapids has built a significant health sciences sector over the past 30 years. In the coming years, I want to take a deep dive into our assets and build upon our health sciences consortium, bridging academia, healthcare systems, research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and medical device manufacturers and contract manufacturers.   What led you to economic development? What’s kept you here? The fall semester of my sophomore year at the University of North Dakota, I took an introductory economic development class as a filler. That class led to me changing my major and changed my life's trajectory. I cannot imagine doing anything else. The work we do is so impactful and there is so much variety from day to day. I get to see the results of my work in my community every time I get in the car, and now I get to mentor the next generation of economic developers.   What is your favorite economic development memory? In 2010, I was hired to help build the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) industry in Greater Grand Forks, ND. This was a tremendous undertaking and required a coordinated effort between the city, state, congressional delegation, and the U.S. Air Force. My favorite memories of that initiative were the trips to Washington, D.C. In the early days, we pushed for and won the designation as an FAA UAS Test Site. After that success, we worked with the Air Force to secure an Enhanced Use Lease at the Grand Forks Air Force Base, an active intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance installation. Connect with the #NATop50 awardees in person this year at ECONOMIX! Register here: https://lnkd.in/g-NKGQNd #economicdevelopment #econdev #award

We are thrilled to celebrate Dylan Horne as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2024! Dylan, a Project Manager at the Metro Atlanta Chamber, enhances the economic vitality of his region through his leadership and dedication. Let’s meet Dylan! How has economic development changed since you entered the field? Availability of talent and hiring diverse talent have come to be at the forefront of key drivers for projects, as the adoption of remote work and the importance of workplace culture have prompted companies to reevaluate their talent attraction strategies. What shifts do you see in the profession over the next five years? I believe that industries such as CleanTech, AI, and Biotechnology will grow to dominate the industry over the next five years due to a combination of the effects of the pandemic, sustainability initiatives, and innovation in technology and automation. What is your favorite characteristic of your region? My favorite characteristic of my region is the team approach we take to economic development. Metro Atlanta and Georgia's continued success is the direct result of this collaborative spirit shared among all partners across the state as part of "Team Georgia." What is a personal goal you’re excited to achieve? July. My personal goal is to train and to beat my race time from the previous year. I look forward to achieving this goal again this year. What led you to economic development? My family and I moved from Japan because of economic development, with the location of Suzuki Manufacturing in Rome. I am honored to now be able to sell my home state so that families like mine can find similar opportunities to live and work in Georgia. What is your favorite economic development memory? Winning the U.S. Soccer Federation Headquarters project has been my favorite economic development memory, as it is a prime example of how all our partners were unified across multiple years in presenting the region for a complex and impactful project. Ready to celebrate these #NATop50 awardees? Join us at ECONOMIX 2024, November 19-21, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah. https://lnkd.in/gPeSaaU6 #economicdevelopment #econdev #awards

Did you know that NEXT 2024 is just around the corner? Take the NEXT step in your career with our leadership development course designed specifically for emerging economic developer professionals. Join us on August 28-29 at the Virgin Hotel in Dallas, Texas. For a $3,500 investment, you’ll receive: 🛏 A one-night hotel stay 📊 Gallup Strengths Assessment 🤝 Two executive coaching sessions Join a cohort of like-minded professionals and build a strong network of support. Gain invaluable insights from industry experts like Matthew McQuade and Justin T. Bickle, and connect with site consultants eager to share their insights. Ready to elevate your career? Submit a short, one-question application today: https://lnkd.in/g22gQsg6 OR Do you know an economic developer who: 🔹 Was recently promoted? 🔹 Is emerging in the industry? 🔹 Has just switched jobs? 🔹 Is eager to grow? 🔹 Is looking for a network? 🔹 Wants to enhance their site consultant engagement skills? Share this post with them or nominate someone here: https://lnkd.in/gtwASQe9 Remember, applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis. Apply and nominate now before the class fills up! #economicdevelopment #econdev #leadership