web01.fireside.fm Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:32:03 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development - Episodes Tagged with “Business Attraction” https://podcast.econdevshow.com/tags/business%20attraction Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:15:00 -0600 Dane Carlson explores 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. en-us episodic Actionable economic development strategies and stories Dane Carlson Dane Carlson explores 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. no econ dev, economic development, ed Dane Carlson show@econdevshow.com 207: Speed to Market as an Incentive with Ellie Reynolds https://podcast.econdevshow.com/207 b0021da6-9bcc-46c9-b816-cbe12b2ed35f Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:15:00 -0600 Dane Carlson 207 Speed to Market as an Incentive with Ellie Reynolds full Dane Carlson A practical conversation with Ellie Reynolds on signaling “open for business” through speed, infrastructure, regulatory reform, and strategic growth in Douglas County, Colorado. 27:54 no In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Ellie Reynolds, President and CEO of the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation, to unpack how one of Colorado’s fastest-growing counties balances quality of life, infrastructure investment, regulatory realities, and speed-to-market. Ellie shares how Douglas County positions itself along the Front Range, why shovel-ready infrastructure matters more than incentives alone, how cutting red tape became a competitive strategy, and what economic developers can do locally when state-level constraints get in the way. The conversation also dives into AI as a staff multiplier, coalition-building for regulatory reform, and why economic development is ultimately about reducing risk, not forcing growth. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Ellie Reynolds. econdev, economic development, eco devo, Douglas County Colorado, economic development strategy, speed to market, shovel ready sites, red tape reduction, infrastructure investment, permitting reform, Front Range Colorado, business attraction, economic development leadership In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Ellie Reynolds, President and CEO of the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation, to unpack how one of Colorado’s fastest-growing counties balances quality of life, infrastructure investment, regulatory realities, and speed-to-market.

Ellie shares how Douglas County positions itself along the Front Range, why shovel-ready infrastructure matters more than incentives alone, how cutting red tape became a competitive strategy, and what economic developers can do locally when state-level constraints get in the way.

The conversation also dives into AI as a staff multiplier, coalition-building for regulatory reform, and why economic development is ultimately about reducing risk, not forcing growth.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Special Guest: Ellie Reynolds.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Ellie Reynolds, President and CEO of the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation, to unpack how one of Colorado’s fastest-growing counties balances quality of life, infrastructure investment, regulatory realities, and speed-to-market.

Ellie shares how Douglas County positions itself along the Front Range, why shovel-ready infrastructure matters more than incentives alone, how cutting red tape became a competitive strategy, and what economic developers can do locally when state-level constraints get in the way.

The conversation also dives into AI as a staff multiplier, coalition-building for regulatory reform, and why economic development is ultimately about reducing risk, not forcing growth.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Special Guest: Ellie Reynolds.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> 172: Pennsylvania's First Economic Strategy in 20 Years with Aaron Pitts https://podcast.econdevshow.com/172 37fd3b95-c320-4f94-b6b1-0775fd892c55 Mon, 05 May 2025 00:15:00 -0500 Dane Carlson 172 Pennsylvania's First Economic Strategy in 20 Years with Aaron Pitts full Dane Carlson Aaron Pitts reveals how Pennsylvania's first economic development strategy in 20 years is transforming the Commonwealth into a premier business destination through strategic investments, streamlined permitting, and a proactive approach to business relationships. 22:16 no In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson speaks with Aaron Pitts, Chief Commercial Officer for Business PA, who shares how Pennsylvania is revitalizing its economic development approach under Governor Shapiro's administration. Aaron explains the creation of Business PA, a dedicated unit within the Department of Community and Economic Development focused exclusively on building and maintaining business relationships. He details Pennsylvania's strategic advantages as a founding state with major cities, rural areas, and world-class educational institutions like UPenn and Carnegie Mellon, while highlighting their focus on five key sectors: life sciences, manufacturing, energy, AI/tech, and business services. Listeners learn about Pennsylvania's impressive $500 million investment in site development, streamlined permitting processes that reduced business license waits from eight weeks to two days, and how Pittsburgh has emerged as a global AI leader with companies like Google, Nvidia, and Duolingo. Aaron also shares insights from his previous experience helping create JobsOhio and explains why leaving corporate America for economic development has been so personally fulfilling. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Create dedicated units focused solely on business relationships within your economic development organization to ensure businesses receive specialized attention. Invest significantly in site readiness programs with dedicated funding to create shovel-ready locations that can immediately accommodate business relocations. Implement a concierge service for permitting to help businesses navigate regulatory processes more efficiently and combat negative perceptions about permitting complexity. Identify and focus on 4-5 key sectors where your region has competitive advantages rather than trying to be everything to everyone. Build regional partnerships with clear roles and responsibilities for business retention, expansion and attraction activities to present a unified front to prospective companies. Bring corporate experience into economic development leadership to better understand and speak the language of business executives. Develop a strategy that balances care for incumbent businesses while positioning your region to attract cutting-edge industries. Create a disciplined financial model to evaluate incentive offers that ensures both the business and the region benefit from each deal. Leverage educational institutions as key partners in workforce development and innovation to create distinct advantages in specific sectors. Foster an attitudinal shift within economic development organizations from reactive to proactive engagement with businesses to demonstrate that you genuinely care about their success. Special Guest: Aaron Pitts. econdev, economic development, eco devo, Economic development, Pennsylvania, site readiness, permitting reform, business attraction, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, JobsOhio, Pittsburgh, energy sector In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson speaks with Aaron Pitts, Chief Commercial Officer for Business PA, who shares how Pennsylvania is revitalizing its economic development approach under Governor Shapiro's administration.

Aaron explains the creation of Business PA, a dedicated unit within the Department of Community and Economic Development focused exclusively on building and maintaining business relationships. He details Pennsylvania's strategic advantages as a founding state with major cities, rural areas, and world-class educational institutions like UPenn and Carnegie Mellon, while highlighting their focus on five key sectors: life sciences, manufacturing, energy, AI/tech, and business services.

Listeners learn about Pennsylvania's impressive $500 million investment in site development, streamlined permitting processes that reduced business license waits from eight weeks to two days, and how Pittsburgh has emerged as a global AI leader with companies like Google, Nvidia, and Duolingo.

Aaron also shares insights from his previous experience helping create JobsOhio and explains why leaving corporate America for economic development has been so personally fulfilling.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Create dedicated units focused solely on business relationships within your economic development organization to ensure businesses receive specialized attention.
  2. Invest significantly in site readiness programs with dedicated funding to create shovel-ready locations that can immediately accommodate business relocations.
  3. Implement a concierge service for permitting to help businesses navigate regulatory processes more efficiently and combat negative perceptions about permitting complexity.
  4. Identify and focus on 4-5 key sectors where your region has competitive advantages rather than trying to be everything to everyone.
  5. Build regional partnerships with clear roles and responsibilities for business retention, expansion and attraction activities to present a unified front to prospective companies.
  6. Bring corporate experience into economic development leadership to better understand and speak the language of business executives.
  7. Develop a strategy that balances care for incumbent businesses while positioning your region to attract cutting-edge industries.
  8. Create a disciplined financial model to evaluate incentive offers that ensures both the business and the region benefit from each deal.
  9. Leverage educational institutions as key partners in workforce development and innovation to create distinct advantages in specific sectors.
  10. Foster an attitudinal shift within economic development organizations from reactive to proactive engagement with businesses to demonstrate that you genuinely care about their success.

Special Guest: Aaron Pitts.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson speaks with Aaron Pitts, Chief Commercial Officer for Business PA, who shares how Pennsylvania is revitalizing its economic development approach under Governor Shapiro's administration.

Aaron explains the creation of Business PA, a dedicated unit within the Department of Community and Economic Development focused exclusively on building and maintaining business relationships. He details Pennsylvania's strategic advantages as a founding state with major cities, rural areas, and world-class educational institutions like UPenn and Carnegie Mellon, while highlighting their focus on five key sectors: life sciences, manufacturing, energy, AI/tech, and business services.

Listeners learn about Pennsylvania's impressive $500 million investment in site development, streamlined permitting processes that reduced business license waits from eight weeks to two days, and how Pittsburgh has emerged as a global AI leader with companies like Google, Nvidia, and Duolingo.

Aaron also shares insights from his previous experience helping create JobsOhio and explains why leaving corporate America for economic development has been so personally fulfilling.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Create dedicated units focused solely on business relationships within your economic development organization to ensure businesses receive specialized attention.
  2. Invest significantly in site readiness programs with dedicated funding to create shovel-ready locations that can immediately accommodate business relocations.
  3. Implement a concierge service for permitting to help businesses navigate regulatory processes more efficiently and combat negative perceptions about permitting complexity.
  4. Identify and focus on 4-5 key sectors where your region has competitive advantages rather than trying to be everything to everyone.
  5. Build regional partnerships with clear roles and responsibilities for business retention, expansion and attraction activities to present a unified front to prospective companies.
  6. Bring corporate experience into economic development leadership to better understand and speak the language of business executives.
  7. Develop a strategy that balances care for incumbent businesses while positioning your region to attract cutting-edge industries.
  8. Create a disciplined financial model to evaluate incentive offers that ensures both the business and the region benefit from each deal.
  9. Leverage educational institutions as key partners in workforce development and innovation to create distinct advantages in specific sectors.
  10. Foster an attitudinal shift within economic development organizations from reactive to proactive engagement with businesses to demonstrate that you genuinely care about their success.

Special Guest: Aaron Pitts.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> 161: Unlocking the Power of Tertiary Markets with Dr. Ronda Sauget https://podcast.econdevshow.com/161 43b2240b-6746-47d7-9480-0253e09e52aa Mon, 17 Feb 2025 00:15:00 -0600 Dane Carlson 161 Unlocking the Power of Tertiary Markets with Dr. Ronda Sauget full Dane Carlson Dr. Ronda Sauget shares insights on the advantages of tertiary markets and her experience leading economic development in Coles County, Illinois. 35:00 no In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dr. Ronda Sauget, President and CEO of Coles Together, discusses the unique advantages of tertiary markets in economic development. She explores how smaller communities like Coles County, Illinois are attracting businesses through stable workforces, easier business processes, and strong infrastructure, while sharing her journey from the Federal Reserve to leading economic development in a thriving micropolitan area. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Take fresh looks at existing assets - they might be more valuable than you think Focus on building complete ecosystems including housing, childcare, and healthcare Leverage your location's unique advantages in infrastructure and connectivity Develop strong workforce pipelines through youth apprenticeships Create strategic plans that align all community assets Build relationships with both large and small businesses Focus on quick turnaround times for business requests Highlight quality of life advantages for workforce attraction Develop strong public-private partnerships Invest in sustainable infrastructure like green energy for long-term growth Special Guest: Dr. Ronda Sauget. econdev, economic development, eco devo, tertiary markets, workforce development, infrastructure, strategic planning, economic drivers, site selection, rural development, competitive intelligence, business attraction, public-private partnerships In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dr. Ronda Sauget, President and CEO of Coles Together, discusses the unique advantages of tertiary markets in economic development. She explores how smaller communities like Coles County, Illinois are attracting businesses through stable workforces, easier business processes, and strong infrastructure, while sharing her journey from the Federal Reserve to leading economic development in a thriving micropolitan area.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Take fresh looks at existing assets - they might be more valuable than you think
  2. Focus on building complete ecosystems including housing, childcare, and healthcare
  3. Leverage your location's unique advantages in infrastructure and connectivity
  4. Develop strong workforce pipelines through youth apprenticeships
  5. Create strategic plans that align all community assets
  6. Build relationships with both large and small businesses
  7. Focus on quick turnaround times for business requests
  8. Highlight quality of life advantages for workforce attraction
  9. Develop strong public-private partnerships
  10. Invest in sustainable infrastructure like green energy for long-term growth

Special Guest: Dr. Ronda Sauget.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dr. Ronda Sauget, President and CEO of Coles Together, discusses the unique advantages of tertiary markets in economic development. She explores how smaller communities like Coles County, Illinois are attracting businesses through stable workforces, easier business processes, and strong infrastructure, while sharing her journey from the Federal Reserve to leading economic development in a thriving micropolitan area.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Take fresh looks at existing assets - they might be more valuable than you think
  2. Focus on building complete ecosystems including housing, childcare, and healthcare
  3. Leverage your location's unique advantages in infrastructure and connectivity
  4. Develop strong workforce pipelines through youth apprenticeships
  5. Create strategic plans that align all community assets
  6. Build relationships with both large and small businesses
  7. Focus on quick turnaround times for business requests
  8. Highlight quality of life advantages for workforce attraction
  9. Develop strong public-private partnerships
  10. Invest in sustainable infrastructure like green energy for long-term growth

Special Guest: Dr. Ronda Sauget.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> 154: Airports as Economic Engines with Alan Tio https://podcast.econdevshow.com/154 b561a20e-4827-494e-9034-78defbcd0754 Mon, 16 Dec 2024 00:15:00 -0600 Dane Carlson 154 Airports as Economic Engines with Alan Tio full Dane Carlson Alan Tio discusses his role as Vice President of Business Development at South Bend International Airport, focusing on property development and creating economic opportunities through airport assets. 30:51 no In this episode, Alan Tio shares his journey from earning his Master's in Public Administration to his current role as VP of Business Development at South Bend International Airport. He discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of airport-based economic development, including managing hundreds of acres of developable land and creating partnerships to maximize the airport's potential as a community asset. Tio emphasizes the importance of long-term planning and viewing the airport as the "front door" to the community for business development. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! Actionable Takeaways View airports as strategic community assets beyond just transportation hubs Focus on creating long-term partnerships rather than short-term wins Look for opportunities that others might not see in your community Use winter months for planning and preparation of development-ready sites Understand the importance of first impressions - your community's "front door" Develop comprehensive land use studies before marketing properties Build relationships with local and regional partners for aligned development Consider utilities and infrastructure needs early in the planning process Take time to understand regional priorities when planning development Focus on creating value for both companies and communities in partnerships Special Guest: Alan Tio. econdev, economic development, eco devo, Airport development, economic partnerships, property management, business attraction, community gateway, infrastructure planning, public administration, regional priorities, land utilization, strategic development In this episode, Alan Tio shares his journey from earning his Master's in Public Administration to his current role as VP of Business Development at South Bend International Airport. He discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of airport-based economic development, including managing hundreds of acres of developable land and creating partnerships to maximize the airport's potential as a community asset. Tio emphasizes the importance of long-term planning and viewing the airport as the "front door" to the community for business development.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Actionable Takeaways

  1. View airports as strategic community assets beyond just transportation hubs
  2. Focus on creating long-term partnerships rather than short-term wins
  3. Look for opportunities that others might not see in your community
  4. Use winter months for planning and preparation of development-ready sites
  5. Understand the importance of first impressions - your community's "front door"
  6. Develop comprehensive land use studies before marketing properties
  7. Build relationships with local and regional partners for aligned development
  8. Consider utilities and infrastructure needs early in the planning process
  9. Take time to understand regional priorities when planning development
  10. Focus on creating value for both companies and communities in partnerships

Special Guest: Alan Tio.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode, Alan Tio shares his journey from earning his Master's in Public Administration to his current role as VP of Business Development at South Bend International Airport. He discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of airport-based economic development, including managing hundreds of acres of developable land and creating partnerships to maximize the airport's potential as a community asset. Tio emphasizes the importance of long-term planning and viewing the airport as the "front door" to the community for business development.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Actionable Takeaways

  1. View airports as strategic community assets beyond just transportation hubs
  2. Focus on creating long-term partnerships rather than short-term wins
  3. Look for opportunities that others might not see in your community
  4. Use winter months for planning and preparation of development-ready sites
  5. Understand the importance of first impressions - your community's "front door"
  6. Develop comprehensive land use studies before marketing properties
  7. Build relationships with local and regional partners for aligned development
  8. Consider utilities and infrastructure needs early in the planning process
  9. Take time to understand regional priorities when planning development
  10. Focus on creating value for both companies and communities in partnerships

Special Guest: Alan Tio.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> 139: From Tourism to Business Attraction: Podcasting in Economic Development with Adam Stoker https://podcast.econdevshow.com/139 f3ce8011-361e-4dc8-a3ad-86d5a30ff4b3 Mon, 09 Sep 2024 00:15:00 -0500 Dane Carlson 139 From Tourism to Business Attraction: Podcasting in Economic Development with Adam Stoker full Dane Carlson Dane Carlson and Adam Stoker explore how economic developers can leverage podcasting as a powerful tool for community promotion, relationship building, and business attraction, drawing parallels between destination marketing and economic development strategies. 35:02 no In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Carlson sits down with Adam Stoker, president and CEO of Relic, to discuss the intersection of economic development and destination marketing. Adam, whose company specializes in creating podcasts for Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), shares insights on how the strategies used in tourism promotion can be effectively applied to economic development efforts. The conversation explores the similarities between attracting tourists and attracting businesses, with both aiming to bring outside money into specific geographic areas. The discussion then delves into the power of podcasting as a marketing tool for economic developers. Adam emphasizes how creating valuable, educational content through podcasts can help build relationships with potential investors and businesses without resorting to direct sales pitches. He shares success stories from his experience, highlighting how inviting guests to share their stories on a podcast often yields better results than traditional outreach methods. The episode also addresses common objections to starting a podcast, such as fear of poor performance and lack of time, with Adam encouraging economic developers to overcome these barriers and prioritize audience building for long-term success in their community promotion efforts. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Adam Stoker. Economic development, podcasting, destination marketing, content strategy, audience building, community promotion, business attraction, storytelling, audio marketing, relationship building, investor outreach, tourism strategies, EDO marketing, digital engagement, community branding In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Carlson sits down with Adam Stoker, president and CEO of Relic, to discuss the intersection of economic development and destination marketing. Adam, whose company specializes in creating podcasts for Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), shares insights on how the strategies used in tourism promotion can be effectively applied to economic development efforts.

The conversation explores the similarities between attracting tourists and attracting businesses, with both aiming to bring outside money into specific geographic areas. The discussion then delves into the power of podcasting as a marketing tool for economic developers.

Adam emphasizes how creating valuable, educational content through podcasts can help build relationships with potential investors and businesses without resorting to direct sales pitches. He shares success stories from his experience, highlighting how inviting guests to share their stories on a podcast often yields better results than traditional outreach methods.

The episode also addresses common objections to starting a podcast, such as fear of poor performance and lack of time, with Adam encouraging economic developers to overcome these barriers and prioritize audience building for long-term success in their community promotion efforts.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Special Guest: Adam Stoker.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Carlson sits down with Adam Stoker, president and CEO of Relic, to discuss the intersection of economic development and destination marketing. Adam, whose company specializes in creating podcasts for Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), shares insights on how the strategies used in tourism promotion can be effectively applied to economic development efforts.

The conversation explores the similarities between attracting tourists and attracting businesses, with both aiming to bring outside money into specific geographic areas. The discussion then delves into the power of podcasting as a marketing tool for economic developers.

Adam emphasizes how creating valuable, educational content through podcasts can help build relationships with potential investors and businesses without resorting to direct sales pitches. He shares success stories from his experience, highlighting how inviting guests to share their stories on a podcast often yields better results than traditional outreach methods.

The episode also addresses common objections to starting a podcast, such as fear of poor performance and lack of time, with Adam encouraging economic developers to overcome these barriers and prioritize audience building for long-term success in their community promotion efforts.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Special Guest: Adam Stoker.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> 77: The Work Starts at Home: Business Attraction with Lenora Fisher https://podcast.econdevshow.com/77 4d0dcb87-dd5f-4f70-924e-c3f3b6559581 Mon, 19 Dec 2022 00:15:00 -0600 Dane Carlson 77 The Work Starts at Home: Business Attraction with Lenora Fisher full Dane Carlson Dane talks business attraction with Lenora Fisher, the Director of Business Attraction at Greater Peoria Economic Development Council. 30:35 no In this episode, Dane talks business attraction with Lenora Fisher, the Director of Business Attraction at Greater Peoria Economic Development Council. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Lenora Fisher. econdev, economic development, eco devo, business attraction In this episode, Dane talks business attraction with Lenora Fisher, the Director of Business Attraction at Greater Peoria Economic Development Council.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Special Guest: Lenora Fisher.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode, Dane talks business attraction with Lenora Fisher, the Director of Business Attraction at Greater Peoria Economic Development Council.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Special Guest: Lenora Fisher.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]>