web02.fireside.fm Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:23:37 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development - Episodes Tagged with “Small Towns” https://podcast.econdevshow.com/tags/small%20towns Mon, 10 Nov 2025 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 198: Dane With Joe Barker on the Rural Strong Podcast https://podcast.econdevshow.com/198 7efd108f-8276-4a9a-beba-60539a32417d Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:15:00 -0600 Dane Carlson 198 Dane With Joe Barker on the Rural Strong Podcast full Dane Carlson Talking Sitehunt, small towns, and staying persistent 26:41 no On this special crossover episode, Dane Carlson joins Joe Barker on the Rural Strong Podcast to talk about Sitehunt, entrepreneurship, and the power of AI to help rural and small-community economic developers compete at scale. In this episode of Rural Strong, Joe and Dane explore how AI tools like Sitehunt automate site analysis, RFI responses, and data collection — giving small EDOs the same analytical firepower as their big-city counterparts. Dane shares his unlikely journey from early-2000s internet entrepreneur to chamber president in the Sierra Nevada foothills to Texas economic-development director to startup CEO. They discuss why feedback matters more than features, why execution beats ideas every time, and why even the smallest communities need a modern website, a plan, and the willingness to pivot. Dane also unpacks how child care, housing, and workforce shortages have become the new pillars of competitiveness, why AI is best thought of as a “dim-witted but persistent intern,” and how rural leaders can use technology to take back the information advantage from site selectors. 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 Treat AI as an intern, not an oracle. Feed it data and context to get useful answers. Launch before you're ready. Iterate in public and let real feedback drive improvement. Build a website that sells your community. Clear contact info and photos matter more than fancy graphics. Use LinkedIn as your industry newspaper. Learn from and connect with other EDOs daily. Start a local podcast. It's the best modern BRE tool and a non-threatening way to engage businesses. Plan but pivot. No plan survives first contact with reality; stay nimble. Address child care and housing head-on. They're workforce issues now, not social ones. Prioritize execution over ideas. A mediocre idea well executed beats a brilliant idea untried. Save cash for the long haul. Entrepreneurs fail more often from running out of runway than from bad concepts. Ask for feedback early and often. It's how both products and communities get better. econdev, economic development, eco devo, ai,economic development,sitehunt,rural communities,entrepreneurship,child care,housing,workforce,planning,feedback,innovation,small towns,technology,execution,startups On this special crossover episode, Dane Carlson joins Joe Barker on the Rural Strong Podcast to talk about Sitehunt, entrepreneurship, and the power of AI to help rural and small-community economic developers compete at scale.

In this episode of Rural Strong, Joe and Dane explore how AI tools like Sitehunt automate site analysis, RFI responses, and data collection — giving small EDOs the same analytical firepower as their big-city counterparts. Dane shares his unlikely journey from early-2000s internet entrepreneur to chamber president in the Sierra Nevada foothills to Texas economic-development director to startup CEO. They discuss why feedback matters more than features, why execution beats ideas every time, and why even the smallest communities need a modern website, a plan, and the willingness to pivot.

Dane also unpacks how child care, housing, and workforce shortages have become the new pillars of competitiveness, why AI is best thought of as a “dim-witted but persistent intern,” and how rural leaders can use technology to take back the information advantage from site selectors.

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

Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Treat AI as an intern, not an oracle. Feed it data and context to get useful answers.
  2. Launch before you're ready. Iterate in public and let real feedback drive improvement.
  3. Build a website that sells your community. Clear contact info and photos matter more than fancy graphics.
  4. Use LinkedIn as your industry newspaper. Learn from and connect with other EDOs daily.
  5. Start a local podcast. It's the best modern BRE tool and a non-threatening way to engage businesses.
  6. Plan but pivot. No plan survives first contact with reality; stay nimble.
  7. Address child care and housing head-on. They're workforce issues now, not social ones.
  8. Prioritize execution over ideas. A mediocre idea well executed beats a brilliant idea untried.
  9. Save cash for the long haul. Entrepreneurs fail more often from running out of runway than from bad concepts.
  10. Ask for feedback early and often. It's how both products and communities get better.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> On this special crossover episode, Dane Carlson joins Joe Barker on the Rural Strong Podcast to talk about Sitehunt, entrepreneurship, and the power of AI to help rural and small-community economic developers compete at scale.

In this episode of Rural Strong, Joe and Dane explore how AI tools like Sitehunt automate site analysis, RFI responses, and data collection — giving small EDOs the same analytical firepower as their big-city counterparts. Dane shares his unlikely journey from early-2000s internet entrepreneur to chamber president in the Sierra Nevada foothills to Texas economic-development director to startup CEO. They discuss why feedback matters more than features, why execution beats ideas every time, and why even the smallest communities need a modern website, a plan, and the willingness to pivot.

Dane also unpacks how child care, housing, and workforce shortages have become the new pillars of competitiveness, why AI is best thought of as a “dim-witted but persistent intern,” and how rural leaders can use technology to take back the information advantage from site selectors.

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

Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Treat AI as an intern, not an oracle. Feed it data and context to get useful answers.
  2. Launch before you're ready. Iterate in public and let real feedback drive improvement.
  3. Build a website that sells your community. Clear contact info and photos matter more than fancy graphics.
  4. Use LinkedIn as your industry newspaper. Learn from and connect with other EDOs daily.
  5. Start a local podcast. It's the best modern BRE tool and a non-threatening way to engage businesses.
  6. Plan but pivot. No plan survives first contact with reality; stay nimble.
  7. Address child care and housing head-on. They're workforce issues now, not social ones.
  8. Prioritize execution over ideas. A mediocre idea well executed beats a brilliant idea untried.
  9. Save cash for the long haul. Entrepreneurs fail more often from running out of runway than from bad concepts.
  10. Ask for feedback early and often. It's how both products and communities get better.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> The Power of Showing Up in Communities with Jamie Beasley (Re-upload... take 2) https://podcast.econdevshow.com/191-reupload-2 89466503-5c23-4e95-a809-775721959b2b Wed, 24 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0500 Dane Carlson full Dane Carlson Dane Carlson talks with Jamie Beasley about her journey in economic development, her role connecting Oklahoma’s small towns with state resources, and her new venture, Econ Dev Ops. 23:34 no (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. 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 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. econdev, economic development, eco devo, economic development, small towns, Oklahoma, chambers of commerce, community building, rural development, economic connectors, virtual assistants, Econ DevOps, regional growth (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.

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

Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

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

Special Guest: Jamie Beasley.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> (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.

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

Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

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

Special Guest: Jamie Beasley.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> 173: From Possibilities to Reality: How to Save Your Small Town with Deb Brown https://podcast.econdevshow.com/173 83198c90-f175-486a-a9d6-81db9593e4a8 Mon, 12 May 2025 07:30:00 -0500 Dane Carlson 173 From Possibilities to Reality: How to Save Your Small Town with Deb Brown full Dane Carlson Dane Carlson talks to Deb Brown about her new book "From Possibilities to Reality, Save Your Small Town with these Uniquely Doable Ideas, Projects, and Success Stories" designed to help revitalize small towns through community-driven economic development. 28:00 no In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson speaks with Deb Brown, co-founder of Save Your Town and author of "From Possibilities to Reality: How to Save Your Small Town." They discuss Brown's workbook-style approach to small town economic development, sharing practical examples of community revitalization, including movie theater revitalization as an economic driver. Brown offers insights on addressing resistance to change by exploring what people truly valued about their towns in the past, and provides actionable strategies for community members who want to make a difference in their small towns. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Implement the "idea friendly method" to bypass traditional committee bureaucracy and mobilize community-driven economic development projects. Organize "Tour of Empty Buildings" events to showcase vacant commercial spaces and connect potential business owners with available properties. Focus on attracting and supporting local businesses to expand into empty downtown spaces rather than solely pursuing large outside employers. Create accessible maps and resources that showcase available commercial properties to potential investors and entrepreneurs. Engage residents outside the "usual suspects" (city officials, chamber members) by hosting informal idea-gathering sessions at local coffee shops or breweries. When communities resist change, dig into what they specifically valued about the past to identify the core needs that modern solutions can address. Develop sustainable business models for community assets (like movie theaters) that create real employment rather than relying exclusively on volunteers. Establish clear pathways from idea generation to implementation that don't require formal committee formation or extensive bureaucratic processes. Prioritize filling downtown vacancies with businesses that serve current community needs while preserving historical character. Leverage success stories from similar small towns as proof-of-concept examples when pitching new development ideas to stakeholders and building owners. Special Guest: Deb Brown. econdev, economic development, eco devo, Small towns, economic development, community revival, workbook, practical solutions, resistance to change, paid staff, implementation, success stories, rural development In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson speaks with Deb Brown, co-founder of Save Your Town and author of "From Possibilities to Reality: How to Save Your Small Town." They discuss Brown's workbook-style approach to small town economic development, sharing practical examples of community revitalization, including movie theater revitalization as an economic driver. Brown offers insights on addressing resistance to change by exploring what people truly valued about their towns in the past, and provides actionable strategies for community members who want to make a difference in their small towns.

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

Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Implement the "idea friendly method" to bypass traditional committee bureaucracy and mobilize community-driven economic development projects.
  2. Organize "Tour of Empty Buildings" events to showcase vacant commercial spaces and connect potential business owners with available properties.
  3. Focus on attracting and supporting local businesses to expand into empty downtown spaces rather than solely pursuing large outside employers.
  4. Create accessible maps and resources that showcase available commercial properties to potential investors and entrepreneurs.
  5. Engage residents outside the "usual suspects" (city officials, chamber members) by hosting informal idea-gathering sessions at local coffee shops or breweries.
  6. When communities resist change, dig into what they specifically valued about the past to identify the core needs that modern solutions can address.
  7. Develop sustainable business models for community assets (like movie theaters) that create real employment rather than relying exclusively on volunteers.
  8. Establish clear pathways from idea generation to implementation that don't require formal committee formation or extensive bureaucratic processes.
  9. Prioritize filling downtown vacancies with businesses that serve current community needs while preserving historical character.
  10. Leverage success stories from similar small towns as proof-of-concept examples when pitching new development ideas to stakeholders and building owners.

Special Guest: Deb Brown.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson speaks with Deb Brown, co-founder of Save Your Town and author of "From Possibilities to Reality: How to Save Your Small Town." They discuss Brown's workbook-style approach to small town economic development, sharing practical examples of community revitalization, including movie theater revitalization as an economic driver. Brown offers insights on addressing resistance to change by exploring what people truly valued about their towns in the past, and provides actionable strategies for community members who want to make a difference in their small towns.

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

Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Implement the "idea friendly method" to bypass traditional committee bureaucracy and mobilize community-driven economic development projects.
  2. Organize "Tour of Empty Buildings" events to showcase vacant commercial spaces and connect potential business owners with available properties.
  3. Focus on attracting and supporting local businesses to expand into empty downtown spaces rather than solely pursuing large outside employers.
  4. Create accessible maps and resources that showcase available commercial properties to potential investors and entrepreneurs.
  5. Engage residents outside the "usual suspects" (city officials, chamber members) by hosting informal idea-gathering sessions at local coffee shops or breweries.
  6. When communities resist change, dig into what they specifically valued about the past to identify the core needs that modern solutions can address.
  7. Develop sustainable business models for community assets (like movie theaters) that create real employment rather than relying exclusively on volunteers.
  8. Establish clear pathways from idea generation to implementation that don't require formal committee formation or extensive bureaucratic processes.
  9. Prioritize filling downtown vacancies with businesses that serve current community needs while preserving historical character.
  10. Leverage success stories from similar small towns as proof-of-concept examples when pitching new development ideas to stakeholders and building owners.

Special Guest: Deb Brown.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> 103: Zen and the Art of Rural Economic Development with Sean Adkins https://podcast.econdevshow.com/103 e7c1ea32-2485-4d06-9d10-c08e191b47d5 Mon, 07 Aug 2023 00:15:00 -0500 Dane Carlson 103 Zen and the Art of Rural Economic Development with Sean Adkins full Dane Carlson Sean Adkins discusses his diverse economic development career spanning rural Virginia and Vermont, including an unexpectedly central role in launching a childcare facility. 22:45 no Sean Adkins has over a decade of economic development experience across multiple East Coast states. He currently serves as Town Manager of St. Albans, Vermont, where he uses his econ dev background to help the small town. Adkins shares insights into the differences between robust economic development support in Virginia versus the more isolated, self-reliant approach in Vermont. One of his most surprising projects was leading development of a childcare facility in rural Virginia, despite not having kids himself. The intensive childcare facility regulations and community resistance he encountered shows the breadth of challenges econ dev professionals take on. Adkins stresses public servants genuinely try to serve local needs, though projects often require compromise. He also discusses his favorite book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and the life philosophy behind its metaphors. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Sean Adkins. econdev, economic development, eco devo, Rural economic development, Small towns, Vermont, Virginia, Childcare facilities, Community resistance, Compromise, Public service, Perspective, Zen philosophy, Motorcycle maintenance, Regulations, Community needs, East Coast states, Local government, Town manager, Hospitality industry, Workforce challenges, Housing issues, Interview Sean Adkins has over a decade of economic development experience across multiple East Coast states. He currently serves as Town Manager of St. Albans, Vermont, where he uses his econ dev background to help the small town. Adkins shares insights into the differences between robust economic development support in Virginia versus the more isolated, self-reliant approach in Vermont.

One of his most surprising projects was leading development of a childcare facility in rural Virginia, despite not having kids himself. The intensive childcare facility regulations and community resistance he encountered shows the breadth of challenges econ dev professionals take on. Adkins stresses public servants genuinely try to serve local needs, though projects often require compromise.

He also discusses his favorite book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and the life philosophy behind its metaphors.

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

Special Guest: Sean Adkins.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> Sean Adkins has over a decade of economic development experience across multiple East Coast states. He currently serves as Town Manager of St. Albans, Vermont, where he uses his econ dev background to help the small town. Adkins shares insights into the differences between robust economic development support in Virginia versus the more isolated, self-reliant approach in Vermont.

One of his most surprising projects was leading development of a childcare facility in rural Virginia, despite not having kids himself. The intensive childcare facility regulations and community resistance he encountered shows the breadth of challenges econ dev professionals take on. Adkins stresses public servants genuinely try to serve local needs, though projects often require compromise.

He also discusses his favorite book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and the life philosophy behind its metaphors.

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

Special Guest: Sean Adkins.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> 87: Rural Rescue: Small Town Solutions with David Thornell https://podcast.econdevshow.com/87 a85d4b0c-138a-4aa2-8fc3-f3acf1c03f4e Mon, 20 Mar 2023 15:00:00 -0500 Dane Carlson 87 Rural Rescue: Small Town Solutions with David Thornell full Dane Carlson A conversation with David Thornell, author of Small Town Solutions: An Economic Development Guide for Small Communities with BIG Dreams 25:21 no In this episode, Dane talks with David Thornell, the author of Small Town Solutions: An Economic Development Guide for Small Communities with BIG Dreams (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTRFRBMG/?tag=econdevshow-20), and founder of Small Town Solutions Consulting (https://smalltownsolutions.org). He retired after 40+ years of service to community and economic development organizations mainly in rural environments, and now provides specialized consulting. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: David Thornell. econdev, economic development, eco devo, small towns In this episode, Dane talks with David Thornell, the author of Small Town Solutions: An Economic Development Guide for Small Communities with BIG Dreams, and founder of Small Town Solutions Consulting. He retired after 40+ years of service to community and economic development organizations mainly in rural environments, and now provides specialized consulting.

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

Special Guest: David Thornell.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode, Dane talks with David Thornell, the author of Small Town Solutions: An Economic Development Guide for Small Communities with BIG Dreams, and founder of Small Town Solutions Consulting. He retired after 40+ years of service to community and economic development organizations mainly in rural environments, and now provides specialized consulting.

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

Special Guest: David Thornell.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]>