Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development

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

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson talks with Juan Pablo Alcantar, the CEO of Economic Development for Tuxpan in Mexico. Juan shares his journey from being US-trained to making significant changes in economic development practices in his hometown. Faced with challenges like data accessibility and cash-based economies, he emphasizes the importance of implementing best practices and establishing rapport with stakeholders. Juan also recounts his interactions with significant institutions like the North American Development Bank and moments of insight during meetings at the White House Business Council. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Actionable Takeaways: Building relationships with stakeholders is crucial for gaining support. Ensure continuous training to incorporate international best practices. Transitioning from a cash-based to a digital economy can improve data accessibility. Tailor economic development strategies to local contexts despite international insights. An effective investment attraction requires a dedicated website distinct from government portals. Use data analytics to support entrepreneurship and economic risk management. Present clear and current data to stakeholders to foster informed decision-making. Engage with global economic bodies and networks to gain valuable perspectives. Adapt international concepts to fit local economic and cultural environments. Encourage innovation even in the face of local opposition to new practices. Special Guest: Juan Pablo Alcantar.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:Juan Pablo Alcantar, CEcD | LinkedIn

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Kathleen Rose, drawing from her 30-year experience and family background in development, discusses the evolution of economic development planning from lengthy reports to actionable scorecards. She emphasizes the importance of practical implementation over extensive planning, sharing how her firm helps communities move from aspirational ideas to concrete actions through data-driven approaches and efficient resource allocation. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers: Replace lengthy reports with concise, data-driven scorecards to track progress Focus on implementation strategies rather than just creating plans Build stronger partnerships with the private sector for effective execution Use scorecards with 90 data points to guide decision-making Consider cost-effective snapshot assessments before investing in expensive plans Create practical "recipe books" for implementing strategic plans Align economic development goals with existing comprehensive land use plans Prioritize action-oriented documents over aspirational planning Update and track progress regularly using measurable data points Focus resources on specific annual priorities rather than trying to do everything at once Special Guest: Kathleen Rose.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:Rose Associates - Kathleen Rose, CCIM - Davidson, NCKathleen Rose, CCIM, CRE® | LinkedIn

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson speaks with Dan Eernissee, Economic Development Director for the City of Everett, Washington. Leading economic development efforts in this dynamic city of 115,000 residents north of Seattle, Dan reveals how his unique blend of private sector experience and public service shapes his approach to community development. From attracting cutting-edge technology companies to reimagining traditional retail spaces, Dan shares practical insights on how economic developers can transform their communities while maintaining their distinct character and creating new opportunities for residents. Dan also talks about reimagining highway corridors as valuable community assets rather than eyesores. Through his unique perspective, Dan explains how these often-overlooked areas can become dynamic mixed-use spaces that provide essential services, housing opportunities, and quality jobs while maintaining their crucial role in transportation infrastructure. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers: Consider highway corridors as opportunities for mixed-use development rather than just retail spaces Utilize planned actions to streamline development processes and attract investors Look for opportunities to convert underperforming retail spaces into multifamily housing Focus on creating higher-paying jobs through industrial and manufacturing development along corridors Embrace the existing infrastructure and traffic capacity of highway corridors for development Balance the need for pedestrian-friendly spaces with the practical reality of highway commerce Consider how online shopping trends affect corridor development opportunities Look for ways to integrate housing solutions into existing commercial corridors Leverage existing utility infrastructure along corridors for new development Focus on creating true mixed-use environments that serve multiple community needs Special Guest: Dan Eernissee.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:Choose EverettDan Eernissee | LinkedInThe E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael GerberBuilding Healthy Corridors: Transforming Urban and Suburban Arterials Into Thriving Places