We Place Economic Developers Who Deliver Deals
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.
Top-7 Mistakes to Avoid When Searching for an Economic Developer
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.
We Convince Them To Take Your Call
Below are examples of mega deals won in small to mid-sized communities because we convinced a star economic developer to take their call…
Meta Data Center
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.
Hyundai Steel
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.
Meta Data Center
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.
Foot Locker Headquarters
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.
Record-Breaking Development
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.
Energy Development Hub
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.
How We Get It Right, Step By Step
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.
Community Stakeholder Interviews
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?”
100+ Research Calls to Passive Candidates
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.
Video Previews You Can Watch Anywhere
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.
Full Background Checks Before You Interview
We screen all interviewees up front — credit, criminal, and drug tests — not just the finalist. That means no surprises at the last minute.
Personality & Fit Assessments
Every finalist completes a Management by Strengths test, so you’ll know how they communicate, lead, and collaborate before you hire.
Trusted Industry Feedback
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.
Now Hiring
From local directors to regional executives, we’re actively filling roles in communities of all sizes. Explore current searches or post your own opportunity to reach top-tier talent in our nationwide network.
Results That Speak — And So Do Our Clients
We’ve helped communities land billions in investment and tens of thousands of jobs — but don’t just take our word for it. Hear from those who’ve seen the results firsthand.
Trusted by Communities Coast to Coast
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.
