Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development - Episodes Tagged with “Regional Growth”

215: How Oklahoma City Turned Voter Investment Into Real Growth with Christy Gillenwater

Dane Carlson — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Christy Gillenwater, President and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, about how Oklahoma City has built sustained economic momentum through its unique MAPS program, a voter-approved, pay-as-you-go funding model for transformational community investments.

Christy explains how decades of strategic spending on quality of place, infrastructure, and people have reshaped the city’s trajectory, enabled major wins like hosting Olympic events, and strengthened key industries such as aerospace, energy, and life sciences.

The conversation also explores the power of business leadership engagement, the growing role of data and AI in economic development, and practical advice for communities looking to unlock their own growth.

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10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

Bundle major projects into a single, clear vision and take it to voters as one package.
Avoid debt when possible and tie project execution directly to collected revenue.
Invest consistently in quality of place, not just incentives or recruitment.
Engage top CEOs as active partners, not just passive supporters.
Build long-term strategies that evolve with community needs over decades.
Use data continuously to reassess competitive positioning and refine strategy.
Align economic development, tourism, and community development under one structure when possible.
Focus on expanding existing industries and assets, not just chasing new ones.
Leverage anchor institutions to guide sector strategy and investment.
Treat community engagement as part of both planning and execution, not just a checkbox.

Special Guest: Christy Gillenwater.

The Power of Showing Up in Communities with Jamie Beasley (Re-upload... take 2)

Dane Carlson — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0500

(Due to technical issues, this episode has been reuploaded. My apologies to Jamie and to all our listeners. –Dane)

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson welcomes back Jamie Beasley, who shares her path from chamber leadership to her current role as a Regional Development Specialist in north central Oklahoma.

Jamie discusses the joys and challenges of working with small towns, the importance of building authentic community connections, and the value of bringing fresh ideas from other places.

She also introduces her new initiative, Econ Dev Ops, a virtual assistant service tailored to chambers of commerce and economic development organizations, designed to help overburdened leaders focus on strategy and growth.

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Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

Spend time in the field. Nothing replaces face-to-face conversations.
Look at how other communities solve problems; good ideas travel well.
Small towns often lack staff capacity; find ways to connect them to resources.
Collaboration across counties and regions can amplify limited resources.
Celebrate small wins to keep communities motivated for long-term goals.
Don't underestimate the importance of simply listening to local leaders.
Recognize that chamber directors and small-town EDs often juggle multiple roles.
Consider outsourcing administrative tasks (like social media, invoicing, and newsletters) to free up strategic capacity.
Include small towns in summits and regional events--they often feel overlooked.
Focus on relationships and encouragement--sometimes validation is as valuable as funding.

Special Guest: Jamie Beasley.

142: Economic Strategies in Maine with Anne Krieg

Dane Carlson — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this engaging episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane is joined by Anne Krieg, the Director of Community and Economic Development for Bangor, Maine. Anne provides an insightful overview of Bangor's economic landscape, emphasizing that while tourism is a major economic driver in Maine, Bangor relies more heavily on its medical centers and educational institutions, such as the Northern Light Medical Center and the University of Maine. She discusses the effective use of federal funds to revitalize underserved neighborhoods and the significant challenges that rural communities face due to limited staffing. Through her experience and perspective, Anne highlights the importance of community-focused planning and the need for systemic changes in regional development strategies to foster lasting economic growth.

10 Actionable Insights

Livability: Focus on making your community a desirable place to live with walkable neighborhoods, good parks, and quality education. This attracts both residents and businesses who want a high quality of life.
Community Engagement: Adopt a conversational, bottom-up approach to development. Involve the community in discussions to ensure that plans meet local needs and gain their support.
Long-term Planning: Develop and think in terms of 5, 10, 15, and 20-year plans. Strategic foresight ensures sustainable development and adaptability to future needs.
Promote Your City: Actively market your city to the outside world. Attend trade shows and tell your city's story to attract new investments and visitors.
Utilize Unique Assets: Leverage unique local assets like municipal airports and foreign trade zones. Highlight and make full use of distinctive infrastructure to drive economic opportunities.
Collaborate Regionally: Foster informal regional collaborations. Work with neighboring communities to address broader economic challenges and opportunities.
Support Rural Areas: Provide assistance to smaller rural communities that lack staff and resources. Offer guidance and resources to help them navigate development challenges.
Implementing Strategies: Focus on executing developed economic strategies. Turn plans into action by ensuring your team is dedicated to following through on strategies.
Holistic Approach: Employ planners who can see the bigger picture and integrate various aspects of city planning into economic development. A holistic view can create more cohesive and well-rounded development initiatives.
Sustainable Partnerships: Establish ongoing partnerships with local institutions and organizations. Collaboration with local entities ensures continuous support and resources for development projects.

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Special Guest: Anne Krieg.