Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show podcast Deb Brown, co-founder of SaveYour.Town, talks about her work in rural community and economic development. She explains how inclusive community engagement through activities like vacant building tours and seeking input from all community members, including youth, can generate excitement and ideas. Deb also emphasizes the power of testing small ideas, gathering community involvement, and taking small steps to build momentum. Her approach focuses on positivity, storytelling, and empowering community members to create grassroots change. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Deb Brown.Sponsored By:KathodeRay Media, Inc.:  [KathodeRay](https://kathoderay.com) is a full-service marketing agency that connects government organizations to their community. This small (but mighty) woman owned and operated marketing agency can help your community thrive. They use tried and true methods that will connect your organization to your residents using social, digital and traditional media. [https://kathoderay.com](https://kathoderay.com)Links:Tour of Empty Buildings | Deb Brown | TEDxBrookings - YouTube — Communities of any size have the potential to turn empty spaces into vibrant hubs. In this innovative talk, Deb Brown shares how a tour of empty buildings have transformed her community and how similar efforts can be used in our own communities. Deb Brown from SaveYour.Town and Mayor Sharon Frerichs talk about Akron, Iowa - YouTube — Deb was in Akron two years ago for an Embedded Community Experience. Watch as Sharon and Deb discuss all the wonderful things that have occurred since that visit. Attitude in town kicked off all the small steps and projects started by lots of people. Developing Resilient Communities Idea Friendly Method Limestone Bluffs RCD - YouTube#SMTULSA SIX STEPS TO WORKING BIGGER with Deb Brown - YouTubeDeb & Becky Keynote End of Rural X - YouTubeWorkspace Discussion - How Do You Start One? - YouTubeInnovative Rural Business Models - YouTubeFive Cheap Downtown Placemaking Ideas - Building PossibilityChristmas tree lights don't always have to be matchy matchy in your downtown - Building PossibilityDo we rebuild? - Building PossibilityThursday with Townsel in Letcher County, KY - Building PossibilityAdvice to those working in small towns - Building PossibilitySmall Towns or Big Cities? - Building PossibilitySuccessful economic development involves the arts - Building Possibility3 Ways to Make Small Towns Successful: Get the practical steps to Beautification, Good Leaders and Keeping Your Youth - Building PossibilityAre you living in a small town? - Building PossibilityEast Kentucky Jackson County and Grayson, KY - Onsite visit wrap up by Deb Brown of SaveYour.Town - YouTubeIowa Ideas In-Depth: New Idea to action - YouTubeSmall Town Specialist - YouTube2021 WRP Summit IDEA FRIENDLY TOWN - YouTube

In this engaging talk, Chris Gibbons, the visionary behind economic gardening, shares his journey from urban planning to creating this innovative approach in Littleton, Colorado, during the 1980s. He highlights how focusing on stage two companies can drive local job creation and community resilience. Gibbons reveals his use of AI, like ChatGPT, for enhancing business support and emphasizes the value of research over traditional assistance. His passion for community prosperity and revitalization shines through as he discusses practical strategies for sustainable economic growth.

In this episode, host Dane Carlson interviews Don Erwin, author of the economic development thriller novel "Buffalo Hunting in Alabama." Erwin wrote the novel to make economic development more relatable and exciting to the general public, who often have negative perceptions of the industry. The book follows a protagonist who reluctantly returns to Alabama to work in economic development, getting involved in high-stakes mega projects and talent recruitment. Erwin incorporates real economic data about Alabama to ground the fictional story in reality. He also includes insider knowledge and "secrets" of proactive economic development strategy like identifying growing companies before they have an expansion project. Erwin and Carlson have an in-depth discussion about the writing process, promoting the unique novel, and the benefits of producing an audiobook version. Carlson compliments Erwin for innovating within a little-known genre and exposing more people to the positive impacts of economic development. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Don Erwin.Sponsored By:KathodeRay Media, Inc.:  [KathodeRay](https://kathoderay.com) is a full-service marketing agency that connects government organizations to their community. This small (but mighty) woman owned and operated marketing agency can help your community thrive. They use tried and true methods that will connect your organization to your residents using social, digital and traditional media. [https://kathoderay.com](https://kathoderay.com)Links:DonErwin.netEconomic Development By The Book on Vimeo — Economic Development Assoc. of Alabama Summer Conference -- July 27thReview: Buffalo Hunting in Alabama by Don Erwin - Birmingham Business JournalBuffalo Hunting in Alabama: A Novel — What if economic development was a cross between Jurassic Park, James Bond and Jack Reacher?(Audible Audiobook) Buffalo Hunting in Alabama: A Novel(Paperback) Buffalo Hunting in Alabama: A Novel(Kindle eBook) Buffalo Hunting in Alabama: A Novel

What's your downtown like? As a county economic developer, I can look out over several different cities, all with a diverse array of downtowns: Some are vibrant, beautiful tourist destinations. Others are transitioning and improving with city dollars and commercial reinvestment into new stores, new facades, new lighting, new life. Some suburban cities, to their shame, don't even really have downtowns. Unfortunately, I live in a town like that. But still, others are shells of their former selves; Empty storefronts with faded signs and broken sidewalks -- places that you don't go after dark -- not because they're dangerous per se, but because there's no reason to. Our guest today, hopes to change that. Ilana Preuss and her book Recast Your City: How to Save Your Downtown with Small-Scale Manufacturing offer an excellent primer on how to rebuild your downtown without relying on outsiders to bring their businesses to your community. Ilana's an expert. She led the technical assistance program at the U.S. EPA Smart Growth Program and was the Vice President & Chief of Staff at Smart Growth America. Her firm Recast City, works with local leaders to help create great places. Enjoy the show, and the book. (Originally aired June 2021) --- Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Ilana Preuss.Sponsored By:KathodeRay Media, Inc.:  [KathodeRay](https://kathoderay.com) is a full-service marketing agency that connects government organizations to their community. This small (but mighty) woman owned and operated marketing agency can help your community thrive. They use tried and true methods that will connect your organization to your residents using social, digital and traditional media. [https://kathoderay.com](https://kathoderay.com)Links:Ilana Preuss | LinkedInRecast Your CityRecast Your City: How to Save Your Downtown with Small-Scale Manufacturing (Amazon.com)Recast Your City: How to Save Your Downtown with Small-Scale Manufacturing (Kindle edition)

In the this episode of the Econ Dev Show podcast, host Dane Carlson shares an insightful conversation with Noah Wilson of Mountain BizWorks and Bradley Spiegel from the Made By Mountains Partnership, delving into the outdoor recreation economy in Western North Carolina. Together, they explore the diverse elements of the outdoor economy supply chain encompassing manufacturing, guiding services, retail, and infrastructure planning, elucidating how each component significantly contributes to the region's vibrant outdoor recreation ecosystem. Noah unfolds the narrative of how the Western North Carolina's Outdoor Economy Conference came to fruition, under the theme "Connecting the Ecosystem." This annual convergence is highlighted as a crucial nexus for stakeholders across the outdoor recreation industry, fostering networking and the exchange of best practices. Noah delineates the four thematic tracks for this year’s conference, aimed at cultivating vibrant communities, bolstering outdoor businesses, spearheading inclusive coalitions, and envisioning the future of the outdoor industry. The discussion also touches on Thomas Salley's podcast, where both the Outdoor Economy Conference and the Building Outdoor Communities program were mentioned, making a cool connection between these initiatives. Shifting focus, Bradley sheds light on the Building Outdoor Communities program, a 7-month capacity-building initiative powered by an ARC grant. This program, as Bradley articulates, is aiding communities in meticulously assessing their outdoor recreation assets and devising sustainable development plans. They delve into strategies to adeptly manage the escalation in tourism and amenity migration alongside the growth of outdoor recreation. The conversation underscores investing in the outdoor economy as a potent strategy to attain triple bottom line goals — economic development, social equity, and environmental stewardship. The nuanced discussion offers a comprehensive outlook on the opportunities and challenges entailed, providing invaluable insights for communities and stakeholders invested in this dynamic sector. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guests: Bradley Spiegel and Noah Wilson.Sponsored By:KathodeRay Media, Inc.:  [KathodeRay](https://kathoderay.com) is a full-service marketing agency that connects government organizations to their community. This small (but mighty) woman owned and operated marketing agency can help your community thrive. They use tried and true methods that will connect your organization to your residents using social, digital and traditional media. [https://kathoderay.com](https://kathoderay.com)Links:Bradley Spiegel, AICP | LinkedInNoah Wilson | LinkedInOutdoor Economy Conference - September 18-21, 2023Mountain BizWorksBuilding Outdoor Communities - Outdoor Recreation-Driven Economic DevelopmentMade by Mountains - Western North CarolinaRural Development - Outdoor Recreation RoundtableThe Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic (Penguin Classics): Narayan, R. K., Mishra, Pankaj

Jon Maynard has worked in economic development for over 15 years. In that time, he's come to believe that the traditional model of recruiting big employers doesn't work well for most small towns. Instead, he advocates for what he calls "tropical fish" economic development - building a vibrant community "reef" that will naturally attract residents, entrepreneurs and small businesses. The foundation of Maynard's approach is caring deeply about the town and its people. A declining "give a damn factor," seen in things like crumbling infrastructure, leads to a downward spiral. The data tells the story - population loss, falling labor force, decreasing retail sales all stem from neglecting quality of place and opportunity. Maynard helps towns turn the tide by focusing economic development inward. This means supporting local entrepreneurs, partnering with schools, and collaborating with arts groups. Ultimately, Maynard wants to spread the word that people-centered development is possible everywhere. He launched a consulting firm, Infinite Sequence Economics, to provide affordable expertise to communities trying to take a new path. His goal is to share ideas, find gaps, and hold towns accountable for real change. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Jon Maynard.Sponsored By:KathodeRay Media, Inc.:  [KathodeRay](https://kathoderay.com) is a full-service marketing agency that connects government organizations to their community. This small (but mighty) woman owned and operated marketing agency can help your community thrive. They use tried and true methods that will connect your organization to your residents using social, digital and traditional media. [https://kathoderay.com](https://kathoderay.com)Links:Jon Maynard | LinkedInJon Maynard: Economic Development and Tropical Fish | TED TalkPromoting Prosperity in Mississippi | Institute for Market StudiesInfinite Sequence Economics - Economic Development ConsultingBlog | Infinite Sequence EconomicsStartup Communities: Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City by Brad Feld

Anthony Michelic, President and CEO of The Pace Group executive recruiting firm, joins Dane on the the show in this, the first in-person episode the Econ Dev Show, joins the show to discuss how his firm works, trends in the economic development and chamber executive job market, advice for job seekers and career developers in the industry, changes he has seen since the pandemic, and the importance of properly aligning incentives between candidates, hiring organizations, and recruiters. Topics covered include: building relationships in the industry, personality and culture fit versus credentials, being open and specific with recruiters about ideal opportunities, developing broad knowledge as a generalist, adopting a global perspective, the evolving role of economic developers, increased workplace flexibility trends, and focusing on fit and seizing the right opportunities. Anthony provides an insightful recruiter's perspective on the economic development job market and practical tips for career success. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Anthony Michelic.Links:The Pace Group – An Executive Search Firm Specializing in economic development, city managers, manufacturing and not for profit organizations.Anthony T.J. Michelic | LinkedInVision GalvestonMarMo Plaza | Galveston Event Venue | 2121 Market Street, Galveston, TX, USA

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane welcome Beth Zimmer, Program Manager with the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Building Leadership Project. Beth takes us on a journey through her five-year endeavor to cultivate a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Pennsylvania. From deep-diving into cultural assessments to executing awareness campaigns, her comprehensive approach sought to uplift the state's entrepreneurial spirit. Beth delves into the intricate components that make up an entrepreneurial ecosystem, such as mentorship programs, networking events, and targeted funding initiatives. She underscores the importance of these elements in supporting both nascent and established entrepreneurs. However, it's not all smooth sailing; Beth shares candid insights into how shifting political landscapes led to an abrupt halt to the program, offering lessons on the fragility of such initiatives in the face of political headwinds. The episode wraps up with a thoughtful discussion on the imperative for economic developers to champion inclusive entrepreneurship. According to Beth, this is as crucial as traditional business retention efforts and requires conscientious planning and action. Tune in for a comprehensive look at the highs and lows of ecosystem building, and walk away with actionable insights on how to foster entrepreneurial spirit in your community. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Beth Zimmer.Sponsored By:KathodeRay Media, Inc.:  [KathodeRay](https://kathoderay.com) is a full-service marketing agency that connects government organizations to their community. This small (but mighty) woman owned and operated marketing agency can help your community thrive. They use tried and true methods that will connect your organization to your residents using social, digital and traditional media. [https://kathoderay.com](https://kathoderay.com)Links:Entrepreneurship Building Leadership ProjectBeth Zimmer | LinkedInBeth Zimmer on Reducing the Barriers to Entry for Rural StartupsInBIA: Global Network of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Builders InBIAInternational Economic Development CouncilBuilding an Economic Development Ecosystem Map

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Joe Collins, economic development director for Norwood, MA, shares how his dual role for the town and municipal electric utility gives him an advantage in supporting local businesses. He discusses relationship building with groups like the chamber, how he sources ideas from podcasts and newsletters, and tools he uses like Apollo.io to find contact information. Joe also learns he was the very first subscriber to Dane's newsletter. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Joe Collins.Sponsored By:KathodeRay Media, Inc.:  [KathodeRay](https://kathoderay.com) is a full-service marketing agency that connects government organizations to their community. This small (but mighty) woman owned and operated marketing agency can help your community thrive. They use tried and true methods that will connect your organization to your residents using social, digital and traditional media. [https://kathoderay.com](https://kathoderay.com)Links:Joseph Collins, CEcD | LinkedInNorwood Massachusetts Economic DevelopmentSales Intelligence and Engagement Platform | ApolloZoomInfo: Go-to-Market Software | Scale & Power Your GTM2023 Annual Conference in Dallas, TX - International Economic Development CouncilThe Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York by Robert Caro

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Jamie Beasley talks with Dane Carlson about leaving law and virtual assistance to pursue a masters in economic development, the challenges of finding an entry-level job with her advanced degree, and her first month leading a rural chamber of commerce in Oklahoma. She provides tips on organization and discusses the potential for virtual assistants in economic development. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Jamie Beasley.Sponsored By:KathodeRay Media, Inc.:  [KathodeRay](https://kathoderay.com) is a full-service marketing agency that connects government organizations to their community. This small (but mighty) woman owned and operated marketing agency can help your community thrive. They use tried and true methods that will connect your organization to your residents using social, digital and traditional media. [https://kathoderay.com](https://kathoderay.com)Links:Jamie Beasley | LinkedInPushmataha County Chamber of Commerce – Working for the future, preserving the past!J.Audra.LaneSmall Town Solutions: An Economic Development Guide for Small Communities with BIG DreamsCorporate Site Selection and Economic Development: A 30-YEAR PERSPECTIVEBurn the Business Plan: What Great Entrepreneurs Really DoThe Birth of a Building: From Conception to DeliveryBargaining for Advantage: Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable PeopleThe E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About ItMeant For This: The Mindset and Strategy to Achieve Your Most "Impossible" DreamsStrategic Doing