Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development

How do you merge a Chamber of Commerce and an Economic Development Organization? Today we talk to Andy Sokolovich about his experience doing just this in Clinton, Iowa. With the overwhelming support of the membership, investors, and Board of Directors, the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce and Clinton Regional Development Corporation have approved a merger — creating a single entity known as Grow Clinton. The combined organization will focus on tourism, economic and community development. How did the merger come about? How did it work? What about the staff? In this episode, we talk through all this, and more. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your name or Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!Special Guest: Andy Sokolovich.Sponsored By:Econ Dev Pro: Upgrade your subscription and support the Econ Dev Show with a paid membership. Plus AI in Economic Development and other bonuses.Links:CRDC, Chamber approve merger, become Grow ClintonClinton area chamber, tourism, development groups mergeVoting to create Grow Clinton - Part 1Voting to create Grow Clinton - Chamber Approval - Part 2Voting to create Grow Clinton - CRDC Approval - Part 3Sokolovich named Grow Clinton's president, CEODevelop This! Podcast — Andy is co-host.

In this episode, we get geeky. Dane quickly explains his podcasting setup. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your name or Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!Sponsored By:Econ Dev Pro: Upgrade your subscription and support the Econ Dev Show with a paid membership. Plus AI in Economic Development and other bonuses.Links:Amazon.com: Audio Technica ATR2100x-USB Cardioid Dynamic Microphone (ATR Series) for Voiceover, Podcasting and Studio Recording Bundle with Blucoil Boom Arm Plus Pop Filter, and 3' USB Extension Cable : Musical InstrumentsAmazon.com: Audio-Technica ATR2500x-USB Cardioid Condenser Microphone (ATR Series) for Windows and Mac Bundle with Samson SR350 Over-Ear Stereo Headphones, Blucoil Boom Arm Plus Pop Filter, and USB-A Mini Hub : Musical InstrumentsZoom — You're familiar with this one, I'm sure.Riverside.fm — Like Zoom, but better because it records each participant locally.Yourimagingguy on Fiverr — The guy who did our intro and outro.Fireside — Podcast hostingDescript — Edit audio & video as easily as easily as Microsoft Word doc.

In this episode, Dane talks downtowns with Jenn Gregory and Elliott Cook, both on the Downtown Strategies team at Retail Strategies. Every community in America, of any size or population, can revitalize or create a downtown. According to the Jenn and Elliott, placemaking comes in all shapes and sizes. They encourage you to start small and build on that success! In this episode, Dane talks downtowns with Jenn Gregory and Elliott Cook. Jenn and Elliott are both on the Downtown Strategies team at Retail Strategies. Every community in America, of any size or population, can revitalize or create a downtown. According to the Jenn and Elliott, placemaking comes in all shapes and sizes. They encourage you to start small and build on that success! Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your name or Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!Special Guests: Elliott Cook and Jenn Gregory.Sponsored By:Econ Dev Pro: Upgrade your subscription and support the Econ Dev Show with a paid membership. Plus AI in Economic Development and other bonuses.Links:Webinar: Downtown Real Estate: How to Activate Retail Vacancies - Retail Strategies — Retail and restaurant options play a big part of a vibrant downtown, but it can challenging to know what the biggest real estate opportunities are for city leaders. Whether you have a completely vacant Main Street, have recently had positive momentum downtown, or are fearful that long-time businesses may shutter in the coming months, our approach is to provide guidance to create and implement a sensible retail plan for your downtown. In this webinar, Elliott Cook, provides answers to some frequently asked questions he hears from community leaders that are focused on maximizing real estate assets in their downtown. Free Walkability Assessment - Retail StrategiesDowntown Real Estate - Data Collection ListRetail Strategies (@retailadviser) / TwitterRetail Strategies | FacebookRetail Strategies (@retailstrategies) • Instagram photos and videosRetail Strategies on Vimeo

Dane talks to Sarah Thompson about rolling up your sleeves and figuring out a new path if your rural community needs help. According to Sarah, there is nothing that can stop those who truly want a better future for their downtown and community. It takes hard work and committed volunteers. Special Guest: Sarah Thompson.Sponsored By:Econ Dev Pro: Upgrade your subscription and support the Econ Dev Show with a paid membership. Plus AI in Economic Development and other bonuses.Links:Rural Revitalization LLC – Re-Imagining the Past to Revitalize our FutureDestination Diaries - YouTubeSarah Thompson | LinkedIn

In this episode, Dane talks with Jim Searcy, executive director of the Economic Development Association of Alabama. Special Guest: Jim Searcy.Sponsored By:Econ Dev Pro: Upgrade your subscription and support the Econ Dev Show with a paid membership. Plus AI in Economic Development and other bonuses.Links:EDAA – Economic Development Association of AlabamaJim Searcy | LinkedIn

In this episode, Dane talks with Alejandra Castillo, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and the head of the Economic Development Administration. We discuss: Ms. Castillo's background and how she became the country's chief economic developer The Economic Development Administration and the US Commerce Department The Build Back Better Regional Challenge Supply chains Worker training and workforce development Regional, cluster-based, and place-based economic development Infastructure Building capacity at the local level Recovery and resiliency in your local community Making your community more competitive globally Collaboration in economic development, and who the EDA collaborates What the EDA is doing to promote diversity, equity and inclusion Special Guest: Alejandra Castillo.Sponsored By:Econ Dev Pro: Upgrade your subscription and support the Econ Dev Show with a paid membership. Plus AI in Economic Development and other bonuses.Links:U.S. Economic Development AdministrationFunding Opportunities | U.S. Economic Development AdministrationEDA And Disaster Recovery | U.S. Economic Development AdministrationU.S. Economic Development Administration Newsletter

Dane talks to Jay Garner, president and founder of Garner Economics, and the former chair of both the IEDC and Site Selectors Guild, about his new book "Economic Development is Still Not for Amateurs".Special Guest: Jay Garner.Sponsored By:Econ Dev Pro: Upgrade your subscription and support the Econ Dev Show with a paid membership. Plus AI in Economic Development and other bonuses.Links:Economic Development Is Not for Amateurs! (Paperback)Economic Development Is [STILL] Not for Amateurs! (Kindle)Garner Economics - Economic development consulting – economic strategy

In this episode, Matthew Tate explains to host Dane Carlson how to craft your community's elevator pitch. Matthew Tate has spent the past 10 years at Retail Strategies working directly with cities in order to help them perfect their elevator speeches. Through data and analytics, he helps cities understand their unique story in order to make a more impactful pitch to potential businesses that may locate in their market. Special Guest: Matthew Tate.Sponsored By:Econ Dev Pro: Upgrade your subscription and support the Econ Dev Show with a paid membership. Plus AI in Economic Development and other bonuses.Links:Econ Dev Show — The Econ Dev Show is a podcast, weekday email newsletter, and blog of actionable strategies, fresh news, insights, and ideas from the economic development community and your host, Dane Carlson.Retail Strategies - Retail and Real Estate Experts for CommunitiesMatthew Tate - Retail StrategiesMatthew Tate | LinkedInResources - Retail Strategies

Dane talks with Emily Blaylock, Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer for Northwest Bank about Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Northwest Bank & Trust Company is an entrepreneurial bank that has built an Economic Development Division to help developers and municipalities get projects done around the US. They utilize Tax Increment Financing (TIF) incentives designated from the municipalities to give developers funds upfront. These funds can be used to provide gap equity, expansion of existing sites, investment in other projects, working capital needs, or tenant improvements. Currently, they have completed projects in 8 states and over $400 million in funding. Their team has over 100 years of combined education in economic development and banking to help structure these loans.Special Guest: Emily Blaylock.Sponsored By:Econ Dev Pro: Upgrade your subscription and support the Econ Dev Show with a paid membership. Plus AI in Economic Development and other bonuses.Links:Northwest Bank and TrustTIF Monetization Loan Program | Northwest Bank and TrustYoutube: What is Tax Increment Financing (TIF)?Northwest Bank & Trust Company | LinkedInNorthwest Bank & Trust Company | Facebook

Chris Johnson is the Director of Johnston County Economic Development in North Carolina. Imagine how difficult it must be to give out his email address. Dane and Chris talk about Chris's background in retail and what new perspectives he's brought to economic development including thinking of a spec building as a loss leader.Special Guest: Chris Johnson.Sponsored By:Econ Dev Pro: Upgrade your subscription and support the Econ Dev Show with a paid membership. Plus AI in Economic Development and other bonuses.