About the show

We explore the strategies, ideas, and insights that are driving economic development forward into the future. You'll hear new insights from passionate ED's about their successes and struggles, and you'll learn from attraction and retention experts about how to apply actionable strategies inside your EDO. We'll help take your organization, your community, and your career to the next level.

Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development on social media

Episodes

  • 166: Building Arkansas's Economic Future: Adapting to Changing Workforce Priorities with Clint O'Neal

    March 24th, 2025  |  30 mins 14 secs
    arkansas, business recruitment, career path, community attractiveness, customer service, eco devo, econdev, economic development, foreign direct investment, quality of life, site development, state agency

    Clint O'Neal shares insights from his 17-year economic development journey and discusses Arkansas's approach to business attraction and community development.

  • 165: Leveraging Location and Infrastructure with Gus Garcia

    March 17th, 2025  |  35 mins 18 secs
    agustin gus garcia, arlington texas, civic leadership, community transformation, dual certification, eco devo, econdev, economic development, economic growth, infrastructure leverage, public-private collaboration, strategic planning

    In this episode, Dane Carlson converses with Gus Garcia, discussing his extensive experience and insights on economic development in Arlington, Texas.

  • 164: Confronting Workforce Challenges in Wisconsin with Sadie Howell

    March 10th, 2025  |  31 mins 38 secs
    chamber of commerce, eco devo, econdev, economic development, fond du lac, housing, local politics, regional collaboration, small manufacturers, talent attraction, wisconsin, workforce development

    Dane Carlson speaks with Sadie Howell about economic development in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, addressing regional misconceptions, workforce challenges, and practical advice for navigating local economic development landscapes.

  • 163: Understanding What Investors Really Want from Locations with Chris Knight of FT Locations

    March 3rd, 2025  |  30 mins 37 secs
    cross-border investment, eco devo, econdev, economic development, fdi intelligence, financial times, ft locations, global perspective, investment promotion, investor-centric, location services, zoom prospector

    Chris Knight, Managing Director of FT Locations, shares insights on global investment promotion strategies and how the newly rebranded organization helps connect regions with international business investors.

  • 162: Mountain Town Meets Hurricane Helene with Spencer Bost

    February 24th, 2025  |  29 mins 31 secs
    appalachian development, community leadership, disaster recovery, downtown flooding, downtown revitalization, eco devo, econdev, economic development, economic transformation, emergency response, high-purity quartz, hurricane helene, small town resilience

    Spencer Bost shares how Spruce Pine, a unique Appalachian town known, is recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene

  • 161: Unlocking the Power of Tertiary Markets with Dr. Ronda Sauget

    February 17th, 2025  |  35 mins
    business attraction, competitive intelligence, eco devo, econdev, economic development, economic drivers, infrastructure, public-private partnerships, rural development, site selection, strategic planning, tertiary markets, workforce development

    Dr. Ronda Sauget shares insights on the advantages of tertiary markets and her experience leading economic development in Coles County, Illinois.

  • 160: From Cowtown to Boomtown with Robert Sturns

    February 10th, 2025  |  36 mins 43 secs
    business retention, capital investment, community development, cultural preservation, eco devo, econdev, economic development, fort worth, municipal leadership, panther island, stockyards, urban transformation

    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.

  • 159: Breaking the Poverty Cycle with Mary Cacioppi

    February 3rd, 2025  |  29 mins 58 secs
    attainable housing, community development, community leadership, eco devo, econdev, economic development, grant funding, intergenerational poverty, poverty reduction, strategic planning, system change, upward mobility

    Mary Cacioppi, founder/CEO of Bridges to Prosperity Northern Illinois and national consultant for aha! Process, shares how poverty reduction strategies are essential for creating economic development that benefits everyone.

  • 158: From Volunteer to CEO with Jennifer Storm

    January 27th, 2025  |  29 mins 17 secs
    association management, built-out communities, eco devo, econdev, economic development, government relations, landlocked development, rapid growth, strategic planning, team building, texas growth corridor, volunteer leadership

    Jennifer Storm shares her journey from accidental economic developer to CEO of the Buda Economic Development Corporation, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of leading a nearly built-out community.

  • 157: An Optimistic Reimagining of the City with Coby Lefkowitz

    January 20th, 2025  |  39 mins
    back to the cities, community building, contextual solutions, eco devo, econdev, economic development, infill development, mixed-use, real estate development, urban planning, walkable communities, zoning reform

    Coby Lefkowitz, author of "Building Optimism: Why Our World Looks the Way it Does, and How to Make it Bette", discusses infill multifamily development and building better communities through thoughtful urban planning.

  • 156: The Art of Economic Development Fundraising with Clint Nessmith

    January 13th, 2025  |  32 mins 33 secs
    capital campaigns, chambers of commerce, community advancement, consulting, eco devo, econdev, economic development, fundraising, market validation, organizational growth, regional development, strategic planning

    CEO Clint Nessmith discusses the specialized role of economic development fundraising consulting and how his firm, Resource Development Group, helps organizations raise money for community advancement initiatives.

  • 155: Building Cedar Park's Future with Arthur Jackson

    January 6th, 2025  |  26 mins 48 secs
    austin metro, career transition, cedar park, eco devo, econdev, economic development, educational excellence, regional cooperation, safety rankings, sales skills, site selection, suburban growth, texas economic development

    Cedar Park, Texas' Chief Economic Development Officer shares his journey from sales to economic development and discusses how he and the city are working together to build a thriving suburban community in Austin's shadow.