216: Economic Development Isn’t What It Used to Be with Teresa Nortillo

About this episode

Dane Carlson interviews Teresa Nortillo about the evolution of economic development into a complex, ecosystem-driven practice.

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Teresa Nortillo, President of Eco Devo 360, about how economic development has evolved from a deal-focused discipline into a complex, ecosystem-driven practice. They explore how energy constraints, workforce skill gaps, and the need for rapid RFI responses are reshaping site selection, along with the growing importance of childcare, housing, and regional collaboration. Teresa also introduces the concept of ecosystem-based cost modeling, explains why many communities struggle to implement traditional consulting plans, and shares her mission to make high-quality economic development support accessible to under-resourced communities. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Build a system to respond to RFIs within 48 hours or less Inventory your community's workforce by skills, not just occupations Develop relationships with utilities early, they are now deal drivers Map your full economic ecosystem including housing, childcare, and infrastructure Create or adopt a cost model to understand true location competitiveness Collaborate regionally…

People in this episode

Host: Dane Carlson

Guest: Teresa Nortillo

Topics covered

• economic development
• site selection
• ecosystem-driven practice
• workforce skill gaps
• regional collaboration
• childcare
• housing

Keywords

• economic development
• site selection
• ecosystem-based cost modeling
• workforce
• regional collaboration
• childcare
• housing
• RFI responses
• data gaps
• implementation capacity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Eco Devo 360

More episodes of Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development

• 222: How Energy Is Changing Site Selection with Anna Cardona · June 8, 2026 · 28 min
• 221: Music as Economic Development with Matt Mandrella · June 1, 2026 · 35 min
• 220: The Hidden Cost of Becoming Cool with Jon Roberts · May 25, 2026 · 30 min
• 219: The Economic Development Handbook We All Needed with Glenn Athey · May 18, 2026 · 30 min
• 218: What Site Selectors Wish Economic Developers Understood with Mark Williams · May 11, 2026 · 27 min
• 217: Why Economic Development Fundraising Matters More Than Ever with Brian Abernathy and Clint Nessmith · May 4, 2026 · 27 min