Episode Archive
233 episodes of Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development since the first episode, which aired on May 3rd, 2021.
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233: Infrastructure, Trust, and the Future of Economic Development with Will Williams
August 24th, 2026 | 29 mins 21 secs
artificial intelligence, community engagement, data centers, eco devo, econdev, economic development, electrical capacity, industrial parks, industrial site development, infrastructure, public trust, zoning
Will Williams joins Dane Carlson to discuss the changing economics of industrial development, the controversy surrounding data centers, the importance of public trust, and why economic developers increasingly have to do their work “on the front porch.”
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232: Stop Marketing Your Community Like Everywhere Else with Bethany Quinn
August 17th, 2026 | 27 mins 38 secs
artificial intelligence, business attraction, community positioning, community storytelling, eco devo, econdev, economic development, economic development marketing, golden shovel agency, marketing strategy, place branding, stakeholder engagement, website content
Bethany Quinn explains how economic developers can replace generic marketing with specific stories, focused strategies, stronger stakeholder communication, and content designed for both people and AI.
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231: Speed Wins in Economic Development with Mike Swesey
August 10th, 2026 | 27 mins 7 secs
eco devo, econdev, economic development
Mike Swesey, president and CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation, explains how speed, responsiveness, workforce alignment, authentic relationships, and disciplined targeting are helping St. Pete compete for business investment.
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230: No Is Never the Final Answer: Creative Retention Strategies with Andrew Sloss
August 3rd, 2026 | 26 mins 21 secs
artificial intelligence, business retention, community relationships, eco devo, econdev, economic development, economic development incentives, economic development strategy, incentive compliance, incentive negotiations, retention projects, site selection, workforce training
Andrew Sloss explains why “no” is often the beginning of a conversation, how communities can support struggling businesses creatively, and why transparency, relationships, and incentive compliance matter.
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229: How Monterey Bay Became an Advanced Air Mobility Hub with Lavera Alexander
July 27th, 2026 | 28 mins 31 secs
advanced air mobility, airport infrastructure, aviation certification, community engagement, cross-sector collaboration, eco devo, econdev, economic development, inclusive economic growth, monterey bay, public-private partnerships, regional economic development, workforce development
Lavera Alexander explains how Monterey Bay is building an inclusive advanced air mobility ecosystem by coordinating airports, infrastructure, workforce pathways, community engagement, and regional partners.
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228: Capital Is Not the Bottleneck with Liz Maxwell
July 20th, 2026 | 27 mins 20 secs
eco devo, econdev, economic development, economic development strategy, entrepreneurial ecosystems, founder mentorship, gulf south economy, high-growth startups, homegrown innovation, job creation, startup accelerators, startup metrics, venture capital
Liz Maxwell explains how startup accelerators, homegrown entrepreneurship, and strong regional ecosystems can turn local problems into scalable companies, investment, and jobs.
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227: Never Underestimate the Power of Ceremony with Melissa James
July 13th, 2026 | 37 mins 57 secs
coalition building, eco devo, econdev, economic development, economic diversification, energy and clean technology, high-tech industries, housing affordability, memorandums of understanding, reach central coast, regional economic development, space and aerospace, workforce development
Melissa James explains how California’s Central Coast turned economic uncertainty into a regional strategy built around collaboration, durable partnerships, workforce development, housing, and the region’s strengths in energy, aerospace, and technology.
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226: Economic Development Is a Relationship Game with Damian Denmark
July 6th, 2026 | 30 mins 2 secs
business retention and expansion, community development, damian denmark, data centers, eco devo, econdev, economic development, incentive policy, miller crossing, sports tourism, tif, yukon oklahoma
Damian Denmark joins the Econ Dev Show to talk about building Yukon’s economic development function from scratch, why relationships are the real infrastructure of local growth, and how communities should think more strategically about projects, incentives, data centers, and trust.
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225: Detroit Beyond the Comeback with Kevin Johnson
June 29th, 2026 | 27 mins
business attraction, community engagement, degc, detroit, eco devo, econdev, economic development, entrepreneurship, inclusive growth, major investment, motor city match, neighborhood commercial corridors
Kevin Johnson explains how Detroit is moving beyond its “comeback” story by combining major investment, neighborhood commercial corridor development, inclusive entrepreneurship, and a sharper case for why companies should choose the city.
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224: Building Trust Before Building Buildings with Janae Stark
June 22nd, 2026 | 25 mins 50 secs
community economic revitalization board, community trust, eco devo, econdev, economic development, federally recognized tribes, infrastructure funding, job creation, private investment, project readiness, public infrastructure, rural broadband, rural economic development
Janae Stark explains how Washington’s Community Economic Revitalization Board helps rural communities and tribes build the public infrastructure, relationships, and project readiness needed to support jobs, private investment, and long-term local growth.
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223: The Power of Powerlessness with Michael Hecht
June 15th, 2026 | 27 mins 24 secs
business environment, coalition-building, defense and aerospace, eco devo, econdev, economic development, energy sector, greater new orleans inc., maritime economy, new orleans, population growth, post-katrina recovery, regional economic development
Michael Hecht joins Dane Carlson to talk about New Orleans’ industrial backbone, long-term recovery, coalition-building, and why economic development is really about creating the conditions where people and businesses choose to stay, invest, and grow.
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222: How Energy Is Changing Site Selection with Anna Cardona
June 8th, 2026 | 27 mins 44 secs
advanced manufacturing, behind-the-meter solutions, capital deployment, community impact, data centers, eco devo, econdev, economic development, energy infrastructure, family office conferences, power availability, regenerative industrial development
Anna Cardona joins Dane to talk about energy infrastructure, data centers, private-sector economic development, and why economic developers need to think more creatively about capital, community impact, and where deals really begin.