web02.fireside.fm Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:20:12 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development - Episodes Tagged with “Downtown Revitalization” https://podcast.econdevshow.com/tags/downtown%20revitalization Mon, 24 Feb 2025 07:00:00 -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 162: Mountain Town Meets Hurricane Helene with Spencer Bost https://podcast.econdevshow.com/162 5f34c32b-6455-41f0-bc1c-206aa849b70d Mon, 24 Feb 2025 07:00:00 -0600 Dane Carlson 162 Mountain Town Meets Hurricane Helene with Spencer Bost full Dane Carlson Spencer Bost shares how Spruce Pine, a unique Appalachian town known, is recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene 29:31 no In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Spencer Bost, Executive Director of Downtown Spruce Pine, takes us through the dramatic transformation of his organization following Hurricane Helene's devastation. From managing their annual blacksmith festival and facade grant programs in this mountain town of 2,000 residents, to suddenly facing eight-foot flood waters that destroyed businesses, including his own office, Bost reveals how the community responded to this natural disaster while maintaining their position as a crucial global source of high-purity quartz. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! Actionable Takeaways: Develop flexible organizational structures that can pivot during crises Create emergency communication systems that work without power Maintain detailed documentation of pre-disaster conditions Build relationships with emergency management teams before disasters Plan for both small-scale events and large-scale disasters Keep important documents and equipment above potential flood levels Develop evacuation routes that consider topography Create crisis management plans that protect both people and assets Maintain relationships with regional and state economic development partners Balance immediate disaster response with long-term economic planning Spencer's Favorite Book: Sand County Almanac (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0345345053/?tag=econdevshow-20) by Aldo Leopold is my most influential book because it beautifully connects the dots between the natural world and the human experience, particularly in rural areas. As an outdoor lover, Leopold's deep respect for ecosystems inspires a sense of stewardship. From a rural economy standpoint, his philosophy of land ethic emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the communities that depend on it. It’s a powerful reminder that conservation and economic development can coexist when rooted in a genuine appreciation for the land. Special Guest: Spencer Bost. econdev, economic development, eco devo, Hurricane Helene, downtown flooding, high-purity quartz, Appalachian development, disaster recovery, small town resilience, economic transformation, downtown revitalization, emergency response, community leadership In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Spencer Bost, Executive Director of Downtown Spruce Pine, takes us through the dramatic transformation of his organization following Hurricane Helene's devastation. From managing their annual blacksmith festival and facade grant programs in this mountain town of 2,000 residents, to suddenly facing eight-foot flood waters that destroyed businesses, including his own office, Bost reveals how the community responded to this natural disaster while maintaining their position as a crucial global source of high-purity quartz.

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

Actionable Takeaways:

  • Develop flexible organizational structures that can pivot during crises
  • Create emergency communication systems that work without power
  • Maintain detailed documentation of pre-disaster conditions
  • Build relationships with emergency management teams before disasters
  • Plan for both small-scale events and large-scale disasters
  • Keep important documents and equipment above potential flood levels
  • Develop evacuation routes that consider topography
  • Create crisis management plans that protect both people and assets
  • Maintain relationships with regional and state economic development partners
  • Balance immediate disaster response with long-term economic planning

Spencer's Favorite Book:

Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold is my most influential book because it beautifully connects the dots between the natural world and the human experience, particularly in rural areas. As an outdoor lover, Leopold's deep respect for ecosystems inspires a sense of stewardship. From a rural economy standpoint, his philosophy of land ethic emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the communities that depend on it. It’s a powerful reminder that conservation and economic development can coexist when rooted in a genuine appreciation for the land.

Special Guest: Spencer Bost.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Spencer Bost, Executive Director of Downtown Spruce Pine, takes us through the dramatic transformation of his organization following Hurricane Helene's devastation. From managing their annual blacksmith festival and facade grant programs in this mountain town of 2,000 residents, to suddenly facing eight-foot flood waters that destroyed businesses, including his own office, Bost reveals how the community responded to this natural disaster while maintaining their position as a crucial global source of high-purity quartz.

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

Actionable Takeaways:

  • Develop flexible organizational structures that can pivot during crises
  • Create emergency communication systems that work without power
  • Maintain detailed documentation of pre-disaster conditions
  • Build relationships with emergency management teams before disasters
  • Plan for both small-scale events and large-scale disasters
  • Keep important documents and equipment above potential flood levels
  • Develop evacuation routes that consider topography
  • Create crisis management plans that protect both people and assets
  • Maintain relationships with regional and state economic development partners
  • Balance immediate disaster response with long-term economic planning

Spencer's Favorite Book:

Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold is my most influential book because it beautifully connects the dots between the natural world and the human experience, particularly in rural areas. As an outdoor lover, Leopold's deep respect for ecosystems inspires a sense of stewardship. From a rural economy standpoint, his philosophy of land ethic emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the communities that depend on it. It’s a powerful reminder that conservation and economic development can coexist when rooted in a genuine appreciation for the land.

Special Guest: Spencer Bost.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> 102: The Intersection of Podcasting and Economic Development with Jennifer Olson https://podcast.econdevshow.com/102 39c7dce2-6bdb-48a2-a8b2-3a6cd9b8ff4f Mon, 31 Jul 2023 00:15:00 -0500 Dane Carlson 102 The Intersection of Podcasting and Economic Development with Jennifer Olson full Dane Carlson Dane Carlson chats with Jennifer Olson, Director of Business Development for Marion, Illinois, and co-host of the "Small Town, Big Business" podcast. They delve into the influence of the podcast on local businesses, Marion's economic development efforts, tourism potential, and the critical role of community collaboration in creating vibrant downtown spaces. 29:05 no In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson sits down with Jennifer Olson, Director of Business Development for the city of Marion, Illinois, discussing the impact of her podcast "Small Town, Big Business" and delving into the economic development and revitalization efforts in her town. They discuss the challenges and rewards of running a successful podcast, the importance of small businesses in rural communities, and the significance of tourism in Marion. The episode begins with an insightful discussion about the "Small Town, Big Business" podcast, co-hosted by Jennifer Olson. Exploring the triumphs and tribulations of small businesses in rural areas, the podcast serves as a platform to inspire others towards entrepreneurship. Jennifer talks about the importance of consistency in releasing episodes, the impact of the podcast's storytelling on weaving deeper connections between local businesses and the community, and the often underestimated potency of mentorship in entrepreneurial success. Diving deeper, Dane and Jennifer touch on Marion's strategic position as a hub for industries like manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, and retail. Notwithstanding its relatively small population, Marion sees its size nearly doubled every day due to incoming commuters. With an upcoming jet service connecting the city to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, they articulate on the fresh wave of opportunities this development would bring. The dialogue then traverses to the extensive tourism potential of Marion, its resilient history symbolically termed "Little Eygpt," and the enduring relevance of attractions like the Shawnee National Forest and a developed wine trail. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Jennifer Olson. econdev, economic development, eco devo, Small Businesses, Community Collaboration, Rural Entrepreneurship, Podcasting, Tourism, Downtown Revitalization, Illinois, Business Development, Business Storytelling, In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson sits down with Jennifer Olson, Director of Business Development for the city of Marion, Illinois, discussing the impact of her podcast "Small Town, Big Business" and delving into the economic development and revitalization efforts in her town. They discuss the challenges and rewards of running a successful podcast, the importance of small businesses in rural communities, and the significance of tourism in Marion.

The episode begins with an insightful discussion about the "Small Town, Big Business" podcast, co-hosted by Jennifer Olson. Exploring the triumphs and tribulations of small businesses in rural areas, the podcast serves as a platform to inspire others towards entrepreneurship. Jennifer talks about the importance of consistency in releasing episodes, the impact of the podcast's storytelling on weaving deeper connections between local businesses and the community, and the often underestimated potency of mentorship in entrepreneurial success.

Diving deeper, Dane and Jennifer touch on Marion's strategic position as a hub for industries like manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, and retail. Notwithstanding its relatively small population, Marion sees its size nearly doubled every day due to incoming commuters. With an upcoming jet service connecting the city to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, they articulate on the fresh wave of opportunities this development would bring. The dialogue then traverses to the extensive tourism potential of Marion, its resilient history symbolically termed "Little Eygpt," and the enduring relevance of attractions like the Shawnee National Forest and a developed wine trail.

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

Special Guest: Jennifer Olson.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson sits down with Jennifer Olson, Director of Business Development for the city of Marion, Illinois, discussing the impact of her podcast "Small Town, Big Business" and delving into the economic development and revitalization efforts in her town. They discuss the challenges and rewards of running a successful podcast, the importance of small businesses in rural communities, and the significance of tourism in Marion.

The episode begins with an insightful discussion about the "Small Town, Big Business" podcast, co-hosted by Jennifer Olson. Exploring the triumphs and tribulations of small businesses in rural areas, the podcast serves as a platform to inspire others towards entrepreneurship. Jennifer talks about the importance of consistency in releasing episodes, the impact of the podcast's storytelling on weaving deeper connections between local businesses and the community, and the often underestimated potency of mentorship in entrepreneurial success.

Diving deeper, Dane and Jennifer touch on Marion's strategic position as a hub for industries like manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, and retail. Notwithstanding its relatively small population, Marion sees its size nearly doubled every day due to incoming commuters. With an upcoming jet service connecting the city to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, they articulate on the fresh wave of opportunities this development would bring. The dialogue then traverses to the extensive tourism potential of Marion, its resilient history symbolically termed "Little Eygpt," and the enduring relevance of attractions like the Shawnee National Forest and a developed wine trail.

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

Special Guest: Jennifer Olson.

Sponsored By:

Links:

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