114: Economic Gardening: Nurturing Local Businesses for Community Growth with Chris Gibbons

Chris Gibbons, creator of the economic gardening concept, explains how he pioneered the idea in Littleton, Colorado in the 1980s to help local companies create jobs after major layoffs. Economic gardening focuses on providing research and insights to growing stage two companies, not basic business assistance. Gibbons discusses the sales window concept they use to efficiently find the best prospects, and their move into leveraging AI like ChatGPT. He also shares his passion for helping communities and people prosper through economic development.

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Special Guest: Chris Gibbons.

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Links:

• Chris Gibbons | LinkedIn
• Economic Gardening Book — “Economic Gardening” is a book that covers the history and background of the original “grow your own” economic development program in Littleton, Colorado. The book also include chapters on the program as it is run today by the National Center for Economic Gardening, as well as a complete listing of the principles, tools and analytical techniques used in high fidelity programs. Part II of the book is called “An Amateur’s Observations on the Economy” and includes a collection of unusual insights into the economy derived from 30 years of work in Economic Gardening.
• National Center for Economic Gardening
• Training & Certification - National Center for Economic Gardening
• The Entrepreneurial Revolution in Economic Development — The 35-year history of economic gardening and related programs.
• Chris Gibbons: This Is How You Grow a Local Economy
• The Economic Gardener: An interview with Chris Gibbons - Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
• To Grow Jobs at Existing Companies, Focus on Stage Two