The Public-Private Partnership Playbook with Mike Tarantino

What does it actually take to land a $1.4 billion manufacturing deal in a parish of 70,000 people? Mike Tarantino has the playbook — and he's running it in real time. In this episode, Joshua Wilson and co-host Scott Shea sit down with Mike Tarantino, President and CEO of the Iberia Industrial Development Foundation, to break down the mechanics of modern economic development dealmaking. Mike walks through how Iberia Parish, Louisiana beat out 15+ competing communities to land First Solar's 2.3 million square foot facility — now employing over 825 people and anchoring an entirely new advanced manufacturing ecosystem in Cajun country. From building the public-private partnerships that move at the speed of business, to courting site selectors, to retaining the legacy businesses that quietly built the local economy, Mike shares the relationship-driven, numbers-first approach that turns a community into a magnet for capital. 🎯 What We Cover: Why incentives sweeten deals but never make a bad deal good How Iberia Parish landed First Solar's $1.4B advanced manufacturing facility The site selector ecosystem and how to get on their radar Building public-private partnerships that move at the speed of business What drives location decisions in a remote-work, AI-enabled economy Why business retention is the unsung hero of economic development The role of generational and family businesses in regional growth Building supplier ecosystems around anchor tenants (tier 1, 2, and 3) How Marine Corps discipline translates into dealmaking focus Diversifying a legacy oil and gas economy without abandoning it 🤝 Connect with Mike Tarantino: 🌐 https://www.iberiabiz.org 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-tarantino-cecd-21693017/ 🎙️ The Mike Drop with Mike Tarantino: https://open.spotify.com/show/7KaiEyDlxpUmGyzzjSUynL 🤝 Connect with Co-Host Scott Shea: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/ 💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/ 🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services. Let's Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ To Contact Us, Please Visit: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/