LIVE from #SEDC2026 in Bonita Springs, Florida | Jennifer Perryman, Jason Rainey, Raul Peralta

Recorded live from the 2026 Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) Annual Conference in Bonita Springs, Florida, this episode features host Ray Methvin talking with economic development leaders driving growth across the South. First, Jennifer Perryman, Executive Director of the Savannah Industrial Development Corporation, details site readiness, infrastructure expansion, and business retention strategies in West Tennessee. Next, Jason Rainey, Executive Director of the Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County Industrial Authority and Chamber of Commerce, shares how integrating chamber and industrial development efforts accelerates local investment and strengthens workforce pipelines in Kentucky.

Ray also sits down with Raul Peralta, Senior Vice President of Business Development at ECS Southeast, to break down the engineering and environmental dynamics behind major site selection. Raul discusses the importance of early due diligence, de-risking mega-sites, and navigating geotechnical assessments to keep major deals on track. Together, these conversations offer practical insights and operational strategies for economic developers working across the region.

The SEDC Podcast is sponsored by Insyteful.