Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development

You're no doubt familiar with ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, and delivery services like Doordash, Uber Eats, and Instacart. These services work via an app on a smartphone, allowing users to request a ride, or a delivery, anytime, and in almost any medium sized city or larger. But it didn't used to be that way. DoorDash and Uber used to be exclusively focused on the big cities and the coasts. And there used to be places, decently sized communities like Cape Girardeau, Missouri, that they didn't serve. Cape Girardeau, Missouri, population 40,000 has about 130,000 in it's MSA. The city is the economic center of Southeast Missouri and also a college town as the home of Southeast Missouri State University. Located approximately 100 miles southeast of St. Louis and 150 miles north of Memphis, they had almost everything a small city could need... except delivery and ride services. Local residents were required to use their phones as phones and to call for deliveries from the few restaurants that offered it, and had to use their own cars to travel to stores to buy things. Oh, the horrors! In 2017, that all changed. carGO Technologies launched there to provide delivery and ride services. Made by local coders, marketed by local biz devs, and funded by local money, the service was a huge hit. So much so that they eventually expanded into other neighboring cities. But then, what had seemed so promising, suddenly hit a wall. As carGO tried to expand into larger markets to support its business model and growth, it came face to face with Uber, DoorDash and other competitors, companies who were internationally funded and losing billions of dollars a year. And then COVID-19 happened. Ultimately, the costs to continue funding growth and the search for a sustainable business model became insurmountable and the company ceased operations in early 2021. Why, you might ask, are we talking about a failed startup in south east Missouri on a show about economic development ? My guest today made the jump from economic development at a chamber of commerce, to startup CarGO, and then back to economic development for the state of Missouri. Along the way, he learned not only how to be entrepreneurial, but how talk to entrepreneurs in their own language. He understands what keeps them up at nights, what they care about, and most importantly what they don't care about at all. Enjoy the conversation. I did.Special Guest: Shad Burner.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:Archive of carGO's website on shutting downShad's LinkedInMissouri Department of Economic Development

In this episode Dane Carlson speaks with Rebecca Naragon, Economic Development Director for the United South and East Tribes, Inc. Many of us work in areas where governmental entities, be they cities, counties and even states and countries work together with through voluntary non profit associations of government. Where I live and work, in greater Houston, we have the Houston Galveston Area Council. It is the regional organization through which local governments consider issues and cooperate in solving area-wide problems. Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to sit down virtually with Rebecca Naragon, the economic development director for the United South and Eastern Tribes. United South and Eastern Tribes, is exactly this, but for 33 Native American tribes. I think that there are four takeaways from our conversation: As Rebecca describes it, shopping local doesn't always mean purchasing products and services where you live, but can mean supporting your community, wherever they are. Sometimes, the very act of just making a list of small business can be empowering for a community. Knowing that they're not alone, can be inspiring and uplifting for small entrepreneurs, and knowing that opportunities and resources are available in their community, can make others feel more connected. Together with each other, we're more resilient, even in light of huge and radical changes, like we've experienced in the last year with COVID-19. Finally - there's always light at the end of the tunnel in economic development. Special Guest: Rebecca Naragon.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:United South & Eastern Tribes Inc.Rebecca Naragon, MPA, CEcD — Rebecca's LinkedIn profileUSET Tribal Enterprise Directory

In this episode, we get a little bit of background about our host Dane Carlson.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:DaneCarlson.com — Dane's home pageDane's LinkedInDane's TwitterGalveston County Economic Development

A teaser and demo of sorts. Definitely not episode #1.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.