Hosts Tushar Chikhliker and Matthew Roberts welcome Jason Giulietti, CEO of the Central SC Alliance, and Dr. Stephen Cutler, Vice President for Economic Development and Dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of South Carolina, for a special crossover episode of Project Catalyst and Taking the Pulse. Together, they discuss the growth of South Carolina's life sciences ecosystem and the partnerships helping position the state for future investment and innovation. The conversation also explores the role of workforce development and advanced manufacturing in attracting life sciences companies, as well as the impact of the University of South Carolina's BullStreet Health Sciences Campus and new neurological hospital. Tune in for a look at the future of life sciences in South Carolina!

This episode, hosts Tina and Chris welcome Tracy Dodson, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Economic Development at the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance. Tracy shares how the Alliance supports business recruitment, regional growth, and competitiveness across a 15-county region. We also dive into the factors behind the Charlotte region’s momentum in financial services, manufacturing, technology, and foreign direct investment. Tune in to hear Tracy’s insights on workforce development, site readiness, infrastructure needs, and how collaboration is helping strengthen one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.

Hosts Tina Emerson and David Spratley sit down with Brittany Brady, President of the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development and outgoing President of the North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA). With an impactful career serving her hometown community, Brittany shares her insights on the growth of NCEDA and the priorities shaping economic development across North Carolina. Our conversation explores site development, workforce challenges, the importance of local leadership, and how Western North Carolina has responded and rebuilt following Hurricane Helene. Brittany also shares lessons learned from nearly two decades in economic development and her vision for creating opportunities that benefit future generations. Listen now!

Hosts Tina Emerson and Tom Brinkley sit down with Miller Girvin, President of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), to discuss how Alabama is sharpening its competitive edge in economic development. They explore EDPA’s role in major wins and how programs like SEEDS and Alabama Launchpad are strengthening site readiness and entrepreneurship across urban and rural communities. Girvin also highlights efforts to retain and attract talent, support startups, and position Alabama for long-term growth. Tune in for an inside look at the strategy and momentum driving Alabama’s economic future!

Hosts Tina Emerson and Chris Kouri sit down with Marvin Price, Executive Vice President of Economic Development at the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and a Board Member of the NC Economic Development Association (NCEDA). With the Triad region reaching new heights in economic development, Marvin shares how growth has been fueled by manufacturing, aerospace, battery supply chains, and life sciences. He also discusses NCEDA’s efforts to strengthen the profession through mentorship and advocacy, and what’s next for North Carolina as it tackles workforce, infrastructure, and competitiveness challenges. Tune in for an energetic conversation on how North Carolina is positioning itself for long-term success!

This episode, hosts Tina and Tushar sit down with Cristina Paredes, Executive Director of SC Nexus, South Carolina’s federally designated TechHub for advanced, resilient energy. Cristina shares how SC Nexus is transforming the state into a national leader in grid modernization, energy storage, and cybersecurity. We also dive into the bipartisan collaboration that helped secure $45 million in federal funding and how the initiative is already generating billions in investment and thousands of jobs. Tune in to learn how South Carolina is powering the future of energy and what it means for economic development across the region.

In this episode of Project Catalyst, hosts Tina and Tom welcome Leigh Davis, Senior Vice President of Customer Solutions and Business Development at Alabama Power Company. Leigh shares how the utility company is playing a pivotal role in shaping Alabama’s economic future, supporting everything from hyperscale data centers and EV manufacturing to rural site development and workforce innovation. We discuss Alabama Power’s strategic approach to balancing rising energy demands with infrastructure investment, the company’s involvement in landmark projects like Meta’s Montgomery data center, and much more. Tune in for a firsthand look into the forces driving growth across the Southeast!

In this episode, hosts Tina Emerson and Tom Brinkley sit down with John Driscoll, Director and CEO of the Alabama Port Authority, to explore the Port’s pivotal role in driving economic growth across the state. From competing with major ports to implementing a five-year vision for expansion, John shares a behind-the-scenes look at how Alabama is positioning itself as a logistics powerhouse in the Southeast. Tune in to hear industry veteran John Driscoll discuss the challenges and opportunities impacting Alabama’s economy, and how the state’s ports are increasingly becoming a gateway for global trade and a cornerstone for the region’s growth.