web01.fireside.fm Mon, 04 May 2026 04:45:06 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development - Episodes Tagged with “Feasibility Studies” https://podcast.econdevshow.com/tags/feasibility%20studies Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 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 217: Why Economic Development Fundraising Matters More Than Ever with Brian Abernathy and Clint Nessmith https://podcast.econdevshow.com/217 b10742ac-4235-4a06-a5f2-bbee727c3fce Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 Dane Carlson 217 Why Economic Development Fundraising Matters More Than Ever with Brian Abernathy and Clint Nessmith full Dane Carlson Brian Abernathy and Clint Nessmith explain how the merger of Convergent and Resource Development Group strengthens economic development fundraising, expands RDG’s national reach, and helps chambers and EDOs build stronger cases for investor support. 26:17 no <p>In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Podcast, Dane Carlson talks with Brian Abernathy of Convergent and Clint Nessmith of Resource Development Group, now RDG, a Convergent Company, about the merger of two major economic development fundraising firms and what it means for chambers, EDOs, and community organizations. </p> <p>They discuss why economic development fundraising is becoming more critical, how campaigns are evolving beyond traditional jobs and investment metrics, and why organizations must make a clearer case for their value. Brian and Clint also explain how data, disciplined campaign execution, feasibility studies, and strong public-private partnerships can help communities fund the work required to compete.</p> <p><a href="https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Like this show? Please leave us a review here</a> — even one sentence helps! </p> <h2>10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers</h2> <ol> <li> <strong>Make the value case clearer.</strong> Investors need to understand what your organization does, why it matters, and what outcomes their funding supports.</li> <li> <strong>Do not rely only on past success.</strong> A good track record helps, but each new campaign needs a fresh, specific, forward-looking reason to invest.</li> <li> <strong>Use data to strengthen your story.</strong> Fundraising works better when your case combines vision with evidence, benchmarks, campaign history, and measurable outcomes.</li> <li> <strong>Treat fundraising as strategy, not just revenue.</strong> A campaign should clarify priorities, align leadership, and sharpen the organization's role in the community.</li> <li> <strong>Run a feasibility study before a major campaign.</strong> Confidential investor feedback can reveal whether your campaign is ready, credible, and properly sized.</li> <li> <strong>Connect economic development to broader community needs.</strong> Workforce, housing, infrastructure, quality of life, and nonprofit capacity all affect competitiveness.</li> <li> <strong>Keep trusted relationships front and center.</strong> Funders support people and organizations they trust, especially when the work requires multi-year commitments.</li> <li> <strong>Show investors where their money goes.</strong> Be specific about programs, staff capacity, outcomes, timelines, and the practical work their support makes possible.</li> <li> <strong>Position your organization as a convener.</strong> EDOs and chambers often create value by bringing public, private, nonprofit, and education partners together around shared priorities.</li> <li> <strong>Prepare for more sophisticated funders.</strong> Investors are asking better questions. Be ready with a stronger narrative, better data, and a disciplined plan for execution. Special Guests: Brian Abernathy and Clint Nessmith.</li> </ol> econdev, economic development, eco devo, economic development fundraising, RDG, Convergent, Resource Development Group, capital campaigns, chambers of commerce, public-private partnerships, feasibility studies, investor relations, workforce development In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Podcast, Dane Carlson talks with Brian Abernathy of Convergent and Clint Nessmith of Resource Development Group, now RDG, a Convergent Company, about the merger of two major economic development fundraising firms and what it means for chambers, EDOs, and community organizations.

They discuss why economic development fundraising is becoming more critical, how campaigns are evolving beyond traditional jobs and investment metrics, and why organizations must make a clearer case for their value. Brian and Clint also explain how data, disciplined campaign execution, feasibility studies, and strong public-private partnerships can help communities fund the work required to compete.

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

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Make the value case clearer. Investors need to understand what your organization does, why it matters, and what outcomes their funding supports.
  2. Do not rely only on past success. A good track record helps, but each new campaign needs a fresh, specific, forward-looking reason to invest.
  3. Use data to strengthen your story. Fundraising works better when your case combines vision with evidence, benchmarks, campaign history, and measurable outcomes.
  4. Treat fundraising as strategy, not just revenue. A campaign should clarify priorities, align leadership, and sharpen the organization's role in the community.
  5. Run a feasibility study before a major campaign. Confidential investor feedback can reveal whether your campaign is ready, credible, and properly sized.
  6. Connect economic development to broader community needs. Workforce, housing, infrastructure, quality of life, and nonprofit capacity all affect competitiveness.
  7. Keep trusted relationships front and center. Funders support people and organizations they trust, especially when the work requires multi-year commitments.
  8. Show investors where their money goes. Be specific about programs, staff capacity, outcomes, timelines, and the practical work their support makes possible.
  9. Position your organization as a convener. EDOs and chambers often create value by bringing public, private, nonprofit, and education partners together around shared priorities.
  10. Prepare for more sophisticated funders. Investors are asking better questions. Be ready with a stronger narrative, better data, and a disciplined plan for execution.

Special Guests: Brian Abernathy and Clint Nessmith.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Podcast, Dane Carlson talks with Brian Abernathy of Convergent and Clint Nessmith of Resource Development Group, now RDG, a Convergent Company, about the merger of two major economic development fundraising firms and what it means for chambers, EDOs, and community organizations.

They discuss why economic development fundraising is becoming more critical, how campaigns are evolving beyond traditional jobs and investment metrics, and why organizations must make a clearer case for their value. Brian and Clint also explain how data, disciplined campaign execution, feasibility studies, and strong public-private partnerships can help communities fund the work required to compete.

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

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Make the value case clearer. Investors need to understand what your organization does, why it matters, and what outcomes their funding supports.
  2. Do not rely only on past success. A good track record helps, but each new campaign needs a fresh, specific, forward-looking reason to invest.
  3. Use data to strengthen your story. Fundraising works better when your case combines vision with evidence, benchmarks, campaign history, and measurable outcomes.
  4. Treat fundraising as strategy, not just revenue. A campaign should clarify priorities, align leadership, and sharpen the organization's role in the community.
  5. Run a feasibility study before a major campaign. Confidential investor feedback can reveal whether your campaign is ready, credible, and properly sized.
  6. Connect economic development to broader community needs. Workforce, housing, infrastructure, quality of life, and nonprofit capacity all affect competitiveness.
  7. Keep trusted relationships front and center. Funders support people and organizations they trust, especially when the work requires multi-year commitments.
  8. Show investors where their money goes. Be specific about programs, staff capacity, outcomes, timelines, and the practical work their support makes possible.
  9. Position your organization as a convener. EDOs and chambers often create value by bringing public, private, nonprofit, and education partners together around shared priorities.
  10. Prepare for more sophisticated funders. Investors are asking better questions. Be ready with a stronger narrative, better data, and a disciplined plan for execution.

Special Guests: Brian Abernathy and Clint Nessmith.

Sponsored By:

Links:

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