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

  • 117: The Art of Starting Up: David Ponraj's Vision for Easier Entrepreneurship

    November 13th, 2023  |  30 mins 52 secs
    eco devo, econdev, economic development, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship

    David Ponraj, CEO of Economic Impact Catalyst, discusses the challenges and strategies of starting and supporting businesses, emphasizing the role of diverse skills, evolving demands, and the integration of technology in economic development.

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    116: From English Roots to Economic Fruits: Thomas Cox's Journey Economic Development in Sauk County

    November 6th, 2023  |  33 mins 56 secs
    childcare programs, community engagement, eco devo, econdev, economic development, housing initiatives, strategic planning, workforce upskilling

    Explore Thomas Cox’s transatlantic journey from England to Executive Director in Sauk County, Wisconsin, fostering economic vitality through strategic partnerships and community-focused initiatives.

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    115: Change from Within: Deb Brown's Blueprint for Rural Prosperity

    October 30th, 2023  |  33 mins 56 secs
    bottom-up approach, community assets, community engagement, eco devo, econdev, economic development, grassroots action, inclusivity, positive mindset, rural economic development, storytelling, testing ideas, youth involvement

    Deb Brown discusses strategies for community and economic development in rural areas, emphasizing inclusive community engagement and testing small ideas.

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    114: Economic Gardening: Nurturing Local Businesses for Community Growth with Chris Gibbons

    October 23rd, 2023  |  33 mins 11 secs
    eco devo, econdev, economic development

    Chris Gibbons, creator of the economic gardening concept, explains how he pioneered the idea in Littleton, Colorado in the 1980s to help local companies create jobs after major layoffs. Economic gardening focuses on providing research and insights to growing stage two companies, not basic business assistance. Gibbons discusses the sales window concept they use to efficiently find the best prospects, and their move into leveraging AI like ChatGPT. He also shares his passion for helping communities and people prosper through economic development.

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    113: Encore: The Secrets of Economic Development with Novelist and Econ Dev Don Erwin

    October 16th, 2023  |  43 mins 52 secs
    eco devo, econdev, economic development

    Author Don Erwin discusses his economic development thriller novel "Buffalo Hunting in Alabama" in this encore episode from September 2021.

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    112: Encore: How to Save Your Downtown with Small-Scale Manufacturing with Ilana Preuss

    October 9th, 2023  |  37 mins 51 secs
    downtown, econdev, economic development, made in, main street, manufacturing

    In this episode, Dane speaks with Ilana Preuss, author of Recast Your City: How to Save Your Downtown with Small-Scale Manufacturing. (Originally aired June 2021)

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    111: The Great Outdoors as an Economic Engine with Noah Wilson and Bradley Spiegel

    October 2nd, 2023  |  39 mins 38 secs
    eco devo, econdev, economic development, recreation

    Noah Wilson and Bradley Spiegel discuss the outdoor recreation economy in Western North Carolina, including the annual Outdoor Economy Conference and Building Outdoor Communities program.

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    110: Counting What Counts: A Data-Backed Path to Community Revival with Jon Maynard

    September 25th, 2023  |  30 mins 30 secs
    eco devo, econdev, economic development, local

    A longtime economic developer discusses his people-first approach to growing local economies based on caring about the community and using data to guide strategic decisions.

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    109: Recruiting the Best Economic Developers with Anthony Michelic

    September 18th, 2023  |  33 mins 18 secs
    eco devo, econdev, economic development, executive recruiting

    Dane interviews Anthony Michelic, President of The Pace Group, from inside and old bank vault. The executive recruiting firm discusses the job market, hiring trends, and advice for economic developers and job seekers in the industry.

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    108: Seeding Entrepreneurial Ecosystems With Beth Zimmer

    September 11th, 2023  |  31 mins 44 secs
    eco devo, econdev, economic development, ecosystem, entrepreneurship

    A program manager discusses building entrepreneurial ecosystems nationally to support business startups and economic growth through collaboration, education, and culture change.

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    107: Meet Joe Collins: The First Subscriber to the Econ Dev Show

    September 4th, 2023  |  26 mins 57 secs
    eco devo, econdev, economic development, municipal utilities, networking, relationship building

    Dane surprises his first subscriber.

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    106: The First Month in the ED Director's Chair with Jamie Beasley

    August 28th, 2023  |  23 mins 28 secs
    careerchange, eco devo, econdev, economic development, ruralecondev, strategicdoing, virtualassistants

    Jamie Beasley discusses her first month as a new economic development director in rural Oklahoma after switching careers from virtual assistance.