Confidential Until It Isn't: Disclosure Risks in Site Selection and Incentives

Economic development projects depend on confidentiality, yet they are frequently negotiated with public entities subject to open meetings, public records, lobbying, ethics, and disclosure requirements. A poorly handled email, application, agreement, data submission, or public meeting can expose sensitive project information, disrupt site-selection strategy, or create compliance risk.

Through practical examples and state comparisons, this session will examine how companies, consultants, attorneys, and economic development officials can protect sensitive information while complying with transparency obligations. The speakers will address public records requests; confidentiality agreements and statutory exemptions; data protection, reporting, and compliance; lobbying and contingency-fee restrictions; risks created by publicly available information; and strategies for sequencing site-selection and incentives activities. Attendees will compare effective and ineffective state approaches and develop practical protocols for managing sensitive project information across jurisdictions.

Additional Speakers:

Christopher J. Knezevic, Esq., Partner, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP

For more information, view the event agenda.