DT #601 Inside the Site Selectors Guild Partner Program: Jay Garner on Building Powerful EDO–Consultant Connections

Develop This: Economic and Community Development

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Develop This! Podcast, host Dennis Fraise sits down with one of the most respected voices in economic development—Jay Garner of Garner Economics and a long-standing Site Selectors Guild member. Jay brings decades of experience in corporate location advisory work and economic strategy, offering listeners a deep dive into today's site selection environment and the most pressing trends shaping business investment.

A centerpiece of the conversation is the Site Selectors Guild's Guild Partner Program, an innovative initiative designed to strengthen connections between site selection consultants and economic development organizations. As a proud partner of the Site Selectors Guild, Develop This! continues to highlight leading voices and provide economic developers with insider-level access to the industry's most influential practitioners.

Jay also discusses the trajectory of his firm, the unusually high volume of activity in sectors like food and beverage, and why certifications continue to matter. He wraps by sharing insights from the second edition of his widely acclaimed book, Economic Development is Still Not for Amateurs, which has now surpassed 10,000 copies sold.

Whether you're an emerging EDO professional or a seasoned leader, this is a must-listen conversation packed with strategy, context, and candid wisdom.

Key Takeaways

• Garner Economics specializes in corporate location advisory services and economic development strategy, serving both communities and private-sector clients.
• The current site selection landscape is exceptionally active, with robust movement particularly in the food and beverage industries.
• The Site Selectors Guild was founded to foster collaboration, ethical standards, and a collegial environment among vetted site selection professionals.
• The new Guild Partner Program provides curated, high-impact networking opportunities exclusively for economic development organizations.
• Participation in the program enhances visibility by giving EDOs featured profiles on the Guild's website, placing them in front of active site selection consultants.
• Guild partners gain access to exclusive VIP networking events, creating meaningful and direct connections with Guild members.
• The Site Selectors Guild maintains an exceptionally high retention rate, underscoring the value members find in the organization.
• Jay emphasizes the continued importance of certifications as a signal of professionalism and commitment within the economic development field.
• His book, Economic Development is Still Not for Amateurs, is designed to help community leaders, elected officials, and stakeholders understand the realities of economic development work.
• The book's second edition has sold over 10,000 copies, a testament to its impact and relevance.