Episode Archive
238 episodes of Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development since the first episode, which aired on May 3rd, 2021.
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238: How Ponca City Turned Housing Into Economic Development with Lori Henderson
October 5th, 2026 | 25 mins 20 secs
eco devo, econdev, economic development
Lori Henderson explains how Ponca City, Oklahoma, is tackling rural economic development through housing incentives, business expansion, retail redevelopment, entrepreneurship, and workforce pipeline programs.
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237: What a Military Interrogator Can Teach Economic Developers with Dan Kiger
September 28th, 2026 | 24 mins 11 secs
eco devo, econdev, economic development
Former military interrogator Dan Kiger explains how economic developers can ask better questions, earn trust, and find out whether a promising conversation is actually going anywhere.
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236: Stop Treating Entrepreneurship Like a Side Project with Peter McGee
September 21st, 2026 | 27 mins 38 secs
business coaching, business fundamentals, eco devo, econdev, economic development, economic development metrics, entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship programs, local business growth, self-employment, small business, workforce development
Peter McGee joins Dane Carlson to explain why entrepreneurship belongs at the center of economic development strategy and how communities can build programs that give aspiring business owners real support while producing measurable results.
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235: Site Selection Doesn't Start With the Site with Thane Hutcheson
September 7th, 2026 | 28 mins 54 secs
artificial intelligence, business attraction, corporate location strategy, eco devo, econdev, economic development, incentives negotiation, labor markets, manufacturing, site selection, site visits, workforce
Thane Hutcheson explains how companies actually choose locations, what economic developers often misunderstand about site selection, and why better data and AI should create more time for the human work that wins projects.
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234: Why Rural Communities Need More Than Grant Money with Amy Renner
August 31st, 2026 | 28 mins 51 secs
capacity building, community development, community partnerships, eco devo, econdev, economic development, grant readiness, infrastructure, outdoor recreation, rcap, rural communities, rural economic development, technical assistance
Amy Renner of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership explains why rural economic development often depends less on finding more money and more on building capacity, relationships, technical expertise, and community-led strategies that turn ambitious ideas into fundable projects.
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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.