March 10, 2026 The Overlooked Resource: Economic Developers Open Doors

As manufacturers deal with increasing challenges, strong relationships with economic development professionals can help overcome obstacles.

By Bethany Quinn

President, Golden Shovel Agency

Manufacturers are navigating a pivotal moment. Supply chains are increasingly complex. Reshoring is accelerating. Automation is redefining workforce needs. Expansion timelines are tightening. At the same time, communities are competing aggressively to attract and retain high-quality employers, and that competition represents opportunity.

Managing those challenges and opportunities can sometimes feel overwhelming, but there is a powerful and often underutilized ally who can help with everything from identifying expansion opportunities to smoothing the road to the final destination: the economic developer.

Communities put significant effort into preparing for business growth. Beyond being marketers of available sites or administrators of tax incentives, economic developers are connectors, conveners and strategic problem-solvers. When engaged early, economic development professionals are far more than a resource for identifying available sites or assembling financial packages. They are a gateway to business opportunities and can help in critical areas such as:

Economic developers have done the relational groundwork long before a company walks through the door. They are deeply embedded in their communities, having cultivated partnerships across public agencies, education providers, utilities, business associations and elected leadership. When a company encounters a barrier — whether infrastructure-related, workforce-driven or regulatory — economic developers know who to call. They can convene decision-makers quickly and align resources in ways that would be difficult for a business to do alone.

Engage Early for Long-Term Success

The most productive partnerships happen when manufacturers approach economic developers proactively rather than transactionally. Business leaders should come to the conversation with a clear understanding of what they are trying to accomplish. Be prepared to discuss expansion plans, workforce and equipment needs, and ideas for growth. Equally important is being transparent about potential barriers. If growth will increase water or energy usage, require new permits or depend on infrastructure upgrades, those realities need to be on the table. That information allows economic developers to mobilize partners immediately.

The more complete the picture, the more strategic and effective the support can be.

For manufacturers considering relocation or expansion into a new community, preparation becomes even more critical. Economic developers will need to understand projected capital investment, anticipated job creation, estimated payroll and detailed facility specifications — from square footage and ceiling height to power requirements and logistics access. Clear timelines also help economic developers to coordinate approvals and infrastructure planning.

These details are not bureaucratic hurdles; they are the inputs economic developers use to structure competitive financial packages and advocate effectively on a company’s behalf. And when executives are clear about their needs, economic developers can act quickly. For example, Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation recently helped a company identify their first New Mexico location, get permits and hire employees in under a month. This type of fast-moving support is available when companies share information and are ready to move.

Fast support may also be available in your existing community. The most successful manufacturers build ongoing relationships and invite economic developers to tour facilities, discuss workforce challenges, and participate in future planning. In return, economic developers remain invested in their success, helping to identify new funding streams and making introductions that open additional business opportunities.

Economic developers are more than just representatives of their local government. They are skilled, knowledgeable and connected partners with the experience and strategic insights to help businesses expand, modernize and compete. Manufacturers that build strong relationships with their economic development partners do more than complete projects. They position themselves to thrive.

About the Author:
Bethany Quinn is President of Golden Shovel Agency, the leading marketing and communications partner dedicated exclusively to economic development. In that role, she works extensively with economic development professionals and understands the value they add to any effort to build or expand a business. To learn more about how to build beneficial relationships with economic developers, connect with Bethany on LinkedIn.

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