Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Spencer Bost, Executive Director of Downtown Spruce Pine, takes us through the dramatic transformation of his organization following Hurricane Helene's devastation. From managing their annual blacksmith festival and facade grant programs in this mountain town of 2,000 residents, to suddenly facing eight-foot flood waters that destroyed businesses, including his own office, Bost reveals how the community responded to this natural disaster while maintaining their position as a crucial global source of high-purity quartz. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Actionable Takeaways: Develop flexible organizational structures that can pivot during crises Create emergency communication systems that work without power Maintain detailed documentation of pre-disaster conditions Build relationships with emergency management teams before disasters Plan for both small-scale events and large-scale disasters Keep important documents and equipment above potential flood levels Develop evacuation routes that consider topography Create crisis management plans that protect both people and assets Maintain relationships with regional and state economic development partners Balance immediate disaster response with long-term economic planning Spencer's Favorite Book: Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold is my most influential book because it beautifully connects the dots between the natural world and the human experience, particularly in rural areas. As an outdoor lover, Leopold's deep respect for ecosystems inspires a sense of stewardship. From a rural economy standpoint, his philosophy of land ethic emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the communities that depend on it. It’s a powerful reminder that conservation and economic development can coexist when rooted in a genuine appreciation for the land.Special Guest: Spencer Bost.Sponsored By:Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.Links:Discover Spruce Pine, North CarolinaSpencer Bost - LinkedinHelene in western North Carolina: "Fight for survival" as aid pours inDevastation from Hurricane Helene could bring semiconductor chipmaking to a halt | CNN BusinessSpruce Pine just got hit by Helene. The fallout on the tech industry could be huge : NPR

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dr. Ronda Sauget, President and CEO of Coles Together, discusses the unique advantages of tertiary markets in economic development. She explores how smaller communities like Coles County, Illinois are attracting businesses through stable workforces, easier business processes, and strong infrastructure, while sharing her journey from the Federal Reserve to leading economic development in a thriving micropolitan area. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Take fresh looks at existing assets - they might be more valuable than you think Focus on building complete ecosystems including housing, childcare, and healthcare Leverage your location's unique advantages in infrastructure and connectivity Develop strong workforce pipelines through youth apprenticeships Create strategic plans that align all community assets Build relationships with both large and small businesses Focus on quick turnaround times for business requests Highlight quality of life advantages for workforce attraction Develop strong public-private partnerships Invest in sustainable infrastructure like green energy for long-term growth Special Guest: Dr. Ronda Sauget.Sponsored By:Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.Links:Dr Ronda Sauget, MBA | LinkedInColes TogetherGreater Value in Site Selection in Tertiary Markets | Trade and Industry DevelopmentColes Together (@colestogether) • InstagramColes Together | Facebook

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Robert Sturns, Director of Economic Development for Fort Worth, discusses how the city is transforming from "Cowtown to Boomtown" while preserving its authentic character. With over 25 years of experience in municipal government, commercial real estate, and banking operations, Sturns details Fort Worth's success in securing major investments, including recent wins with Bell and Embraer, while balancing business recruitment with community development initiatives like Evans & Rosedale and the Panther Island project. Sturns also discusses his journey in the profession, including his 20+ year career serving both Fort Worth and Arlington. He offers insights into managing regional relationships, particularly addressing the challenge of establishing Fort Worth's identity distinct from Dallas, while emphasizing the importance of teamwork and partnerships in economic development success. Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Balance large-scale development with community needs and cultural preservation Focus on building relationships before transactions in deal-making Leverage existing cultural assets (like the Stockyards) for economic growth Develop strategic plans for transformational projects like Panther Island Create mixed-use developments that honor local heritage while embracing progress Build strong partnerships with educational institutions for workforce development Maintain clear communication channels with stakeholders and the community Use existing success stories (like Bell and Embraer) to attract similar industries Implement creative financing solutions for major development projects Balance business retention efforts with new business recruitment strategies Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Robert Sturns.Sponsored By:Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.Links:Robert Sturns | LinkedInFort Worth Economic Development | Empowering BusinessEssentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeownRoyal Capital named master developer for Evans & Rosedale project – Welcome to the City of Fort WorthWho owns Panther Island | A look at plans to develop Fort Worth | wfaa.comFort Worth recieves billions in economic development investment | wfaa.comMajor investment and large-scale projects attract national attention to Fort Worth, Texas - Boston Business JournalStart with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon SinekThe Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Mary Cacioppi brings her 22 years of combined experience in community development, economic development, and poverty reduction to discuss her groundbreaking approach to economic development. As the founder/CEO of Bridges to Prosperity Northern Illinois and a national consultant for aha! Process, Mary explains how understanding the root causes of poverty and implementing strategic poverty reduction initiatives can transform communities and create sustainable economic growth across a five-county area. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Start using the term "attainable housing" instead of "affordable housing" to reduce stigma and increase acceptance Conduct a community risk assessment to identify key areas needing attention Evaluate your community's commitment to poverty reduction using the TRE Institute assessment tool Create systems for tracking and measuring the utilization of community services Build collaborative frameworks with other community organizations to avoid duplicate services Reframe poverty reduction conversations as "upward mobility" when working with elected officials Assess which community programs are underutilized and need better promotion Develop strategic plans that integrate poverty reduction with economic development Focus on creating system-wide changes rather than isolated programs Engage business community leaders in poverty reduction conversations Special Guest: Mary Cacioppi.Links:Mary Cacioppi | LinkedInEconomic Development That Benefits Everyone: Poverty Reduction Is a Key Strategy by Mary CacioppiNational Consulting Work — Bridges to Prosperity Northern ILBridges to Prosperity Northern ILaha! Process - Poverty Reduction Professional Development and Solutions

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Jennifer Storm, CEO of the Buda Economic Development Corporation, who discusses her transition from association management and government relations to economic development leadership. Storm shares insights about managing a rapidly growing community that's 90% built out, the importance of team building, and how her background in various roles prepared her for leading economic development in one of Texas's fastest-growing corridors. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Focus on building and developing the right team for your organization Don't underestimate the value of volunteer experience in economic development Build strong relationships with regional economic development partners Plan strategically when dealing with limited developable land Stay connected with community stakeholders through regular communication Consider the impact of surrounding communities on your development strategy Leverage prior experience from other fields in economic development Be proactive in addressing space constraints in your community Maintain strong connections with your board and city leadership Focus on quality development when quantity is limited by space Special Guest: Jennifer Storm.Sponsored By:Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.Links:Jennifer L. Storm - Buda EDCBuda EDCJennifer Storm Buda EDC (@jenniferbudaedc) • Instagram photos and videosJennifer Storm | LinkedIn

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson sits down with Coby Lefkowitz, co-founder and partner at Backyard, a real estate development firm specializing in infill multifamily projects in walkable communities. Coby shares insights from his book "Building Optimism: Why Our World Looks the Way it Does, and How to Make it Better" and discusses how communities can evolve through better development practices, emphasizing the importance of context-specific solutions and the integration of mixed-use spaces in urban planning. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Actionable Takeaways Take tours of successful mixed-use developments to understand what works Avoid one-size-fits-all solutions; focus on context-specific development Consider integrating residential and commercial spaces in development plans Work on making communities more walkable and accessible Engage with smaller and medium-sized developers for more dynamic development Study successful pedestrian mall implementations and failures Focus on creating vibrant, integrated community spaces Understand local context before implementing development strategies Build relationships between economic developers and city officials Consider gradual implementation of mixed-use zoning reforms Special Guest: Coby Lefkowitz.Sponsored By:Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.Links:Building Optimism: Why Our World Looks the Way it Does, and How to Make it Better by Coby LefkowitzCoby L. | LinkedInCoby LefkowitzPodcasts — Coby Lefkowitz

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Clint Nessmith, CEO of Resource Development Group, reveals the niche world of economic development fundraising consulting. He explains how his firm exclusively works with economic development organizations and chambers of commerce across the country, particularly focusing on larger regional chambers in major markets. Nessmith shares insights about the fundraising process, the importance of market validation, and how proper fundraising can unite communities behind a shared vision. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Actionable Takeaways Consider hiring specialized fundraising consultants for major economic development campaigns Validate your fundraising goals through market research before launching campaigns Use fundraising processes to unite community stakeholders behind a shared vision Focus on creating comprehensive plans that address market-identified needs Don't hesitate to delay fundraising if market validation suggests you're not ready Leverage external expertise to add credibility to your fundraising efforts Stay informed about economic development funding trends through industry resources Build fundraising models that match your organization's size and scope Use fundraising campaigns as opportunities to strengthen community relationships Incorporate market feedback into your organizational messaging and planning Special Guest: Clint Nessmith.Sponsored By:Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.Links:Clint Nessmith | LinkedInResource Development GroupResource Development Group | LinkedInResource Development Group | Facebook

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson sits down with Arthur Jackson, Chief Economic Development Officer for Cedar Park, Texas. Arthur shares his unexpected path into economic development following a layoff from a sales director position, leading to his role with the Austin Chamber and eventual leadership in Cedar Park. Through their conversation, Arthur reveals how his sales background enhances his economic development approach, emphasizing the importance of listening and resilience. He also showcases Cedar Park's impressive achievements as the safest and most affluent city in the Austin area, while discussing the delicate balance of regional cooperation and local development in the greater Austin metroplex. Cedar Park is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Under Arthur’s leadership, this rapidly growing suburb of Austin is attracting innovative businesses that are transforming the tech, aerospace and clean energy industries including rocket tester Firefly, Hyliion, which provides clean, flexible and affordable electricity production., and Hanyang. Cedar Park offers space, affordability and access to talent while capitalizing on its proximity to Austin. The City is also attracting talent and providing enhanced livability to its residents by investing in itself. Cedar Park, which was incorporated about 50 years ago, has 80,000 residents and experienced 44.2% growth in the last population Census, but it never had a downtown or gathering place. The City’s approach to community development was to bet on big-box retail, a minor league sports and event arena (HEB Center), hotels, and 31 miles of trails and parks, along with housing. This presented an opportunity to build a modern-day downtown with resident buy-in. Cedar Park is currently building its first downtown with the Bell District—a $750 million development anchored by a $31 million state-of-the-art public library that opened this November. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Arthur Jackson.Sponsored By:Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.Links:Arthur Jackson, MBA | LinkedInCity of Cedar Park, Texas Economic Development CorporationCedar Park Economic Development Corporation | LinkedInCedar Park Economic Development Corporation (@cedarpark.edc) • Instagram photos and videosCedar Park, Texas government - Facebook

In this episode, Alan Tio shares his journey from earning his Master's in Public Administration to his current role as VP of Business Development at South Bend International Airport. He discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of airport-based economic development, including managing hundreds of acres of developable land and creating partnerships to maximize the airport's potential as a community asset. Tio emphasizes the importance of long-term planning and viewing the airport as the "front door" to the community for business development. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Actionable Takeaways View airports as strategic community assets beyond just transportation hubs Focus on creating long-term partnerships rather than short-term wins Look for opportunities that others might not see in your community Use winter months for planning and preparation of development-ready sites Understand the importance of first impressions - your community's "front door" Develop comprehensive land use studies before marketing properties Build relationships with local and regional partners for aligned development Consider utilities and infrastructure needs early in the planning process Take time to understand regional priorities when planning development Focus on creating value for both companies and communities in partnerships Special Guest: Alan Tio.Sponsored By:Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.Links:Alan Tio, MPA, CEcD, MEDP | LinkedInSouth Bend International Airport (SBN) | FlySBN

In this episode of the Sandy Dubay opens up about her unexpected path from traditional economic development to entrepreneurship, sparked by a life-changing moment when she was pregnant with her first child and a friend's suggestion led her to establish her own consulting practice, which has now grown to a team of eight people over 22 years, while also discussing her passion for educating new economic developers through her her EDO Breakthrough Podcast. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Sandy Dubay.Sponsored By:Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.Links:Sandy Dubay, CEcD | LinkedInPPR Strategies | We Tell Your StoryEDO Breakthrough PodcastPPR Strategies: Overview | LinkedInPPR Strategies (People & Places Reimagined) (@pprstrategies) • Instagram