Because Small to Mid-Sized Communities Need America’s Best Economic Developers
Because Small to Mid-Sized Communities Need America’s Best Economic Developers
With over 200 executive placements and billions in job wins, we’ve delivered time and again. You only pay if we get it right — and we usually do.
Small to Mid-Sized Communities Need America’s Best Economic Developers, But… The GREAT Economic Developers Aren’t Going To Apply For Your Job, They Are Not Scrolling LinkedIn Or IEDC Searching For A Job, They Are Closing Projects In Towns Like Yours.
Below are examples of mega deals won in small to mid-sized communities because we convinced a star economic developer to take their call…
Placed Betsey Hale in 2020. In 2024, she led the Cheyenne LEADS team in securing a multi-billion-dollar Meta data center—one of the largest private investments in Wyoming history. The project is expected to generate approximately 100 long-term operational jobs and support more than 1,000 skilled trade jobs at peak construction.
Placed Kate MacArthur in 2017. In 2025, she helped land a transformative $5.8 billion investment from Hyundai Steel, introducing a new industry to the region. The project is anticipated to create more than 1,300 direct jobs and approximately 4,100 indirect jobs, totaling 5,400 new opportunities for residents.
Placed Rob Cleveland in mid-2024. Within a year, he secured Meta’s $10 billion AI-optimized data center—the largest capital investment in Louisiana history. Louisiana Economic Development estimates more than 1,500 total new jobs, including 1,000 indirect jobs, will result from the project.
Placed Mike Swesey in 2023. By 2024, he successfully recruited Foot Locker’s corporate headquarters to St. Pete, a nationally visible win that aligns with the city’s creative and diverse culture. The project is expected to cost approximately $20 million and create 150 new jobs.
Placed Scott Drachnik in 2020. Under his leadership, St. Charles County broke development records for three consecutive years, attracting major business expansions and positioning the county as one of Missouri’s top growth markets.
Placed Karl Dye in 2020. By 2025, he elevated Richland’s role in the national nuclear energy supply chain, helping secure a high-impact project that solidifies the Tri-Cities as a hub for advanced energy development.
Hiring the right economic developer takes more than a job ad — it takes a process. From stakeholder interviews to proactive recruiting and deep-dive screenings, we go far beyond the basics to protect your community and set your next leader up for success.
We meet with key stakeholders face-to-face to understand your community’s goals — no stiff boardroom talks, just real conversations over coffee. We ask: “What would make you thank us three years from now?”
Most top talent isn’t browsing job boards — we find them anyway. Through 100+ strategic calls, we engage A-list economic developers who’d never apply without a personal nudge.
Get to know candidates through 2–3 minute video blasts — no resumes, no travel, no pressure. Review from your phone or iPad before deciding who’s worth bringing in.
We screen all interviewees up front — credit, criminal, and drug tests — not just the finalist. That means no surprises at the last minute.
Every finalist completes a Management by Strengths test, so you’ll know how they communicate, lead, and collaborate before you hire.
Because we also do site selection, we know who’s respected — and who isn’t. We discreetly call proven economic developers to get the inside scoop on your candidates.
We specialize in helping small to mid-sized communities — from populations of 5,000 to 1 million — build stronger local economies with the right leadership in place. From rural towns to thriving metros, we’ve partnered with organizations across the country to deliver results that matter.
