app03 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 21:51:53 +0000 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development - Episodes Tagged with “Sports Tourism” https://podcast.econdevshow.com/tags/sports%20tourism Mon, 06 Jul 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 226: Economic Development Is a Relationship Game with Damian Denmark https://podcast.econdevshow.com/226 5cd8e8cf-3b2f-41b6-99fd-0e501a33c7c4 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 Dane Carlson 226 Economic Development Is a Relationship Game with Damian Denmark full Dane Carlson Damian Denmark joins the Econ Dev Show to talk about building Yukon’s economic development function from scratch, why relationships are the real infrastructure of local growth, and how communities should think more strategically about projects, incentives, data centers, and trust. 30:02 no <p>In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Damian Denmark, economic development director for the City of Yukon, Oklahoma, about what it looks like to build an economic development department in a fast-growing suburban community northwest of Oklahoma City. </p> <p>Damian shares how his move to Liberal, Kansas changed the way he thinks about community, belonging, and the people-first side of economic development. </p> <p>The conversation moves from rural marketing and relationship-building to Yukon’s new incentive policy, the Miller Crossing project, TIFs, sports tourism, and the increasingly complicated question of data centers. For economic developers, this episode is a reminder that projects matter, but trust, policy, infrastructure, and community buy-in are what make growth work.</p> <h2>10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers</h2> <ol> <li> <strong>Build the relationship before you need the deal.</strong> Damian’s approach is clear: trust opens doors with property owners, developers, tenant reps, brokers, city departments, and regional partners.</li> <li> <strong>Create policy before the pressure hits.</strong> Yukon’s work on incentive and economic development policies gave the city a framework for handling projects, negotiations, and community expectations.</li> <li> <strong>Treat residents as part of the project equation.</strong> Especially in communities reliant on sales tax, residents need to see why a project matters and how it benefits the place they live, work, and raise families.</li> <li> <strong>Use incentives to create community value, not just close deals.</strong> Yukon’s requirements around chamber membership, public art, city services, and community impact show how development agreements can ask more from projects.</li> <li> <strong>Do the infrastructure homework early.</strong> For data centers and other major projects, water, power, utilities, noise, and capacity questions need to be understood before promises are made.</li> <li> <strong>Do not reduce data centers to job counts.</strong> Damian notes that a data center may bring only 20 to 25 jobs, but the broader financial and infrastructure deal can still matter if negotiated well.</li> <li> <strong>Know what your community can realistically support.</strong> Economic developers should understand market capacity, utility capacity, resident concerns, and policy constraints before pursuing major industrial or technology projects.</li> <li> <strong>Move quickly, but do not confuse speed with sloppiness.</strong> Yukon’s Miller Crossing TIF moved in less than 60 days, but Damian also emphasized the stress, negotiation, and policy work behind that speed.</li> <li> <strong>Let personal experience shape professional practice.</strong> Damian’s time in Liberal, Kansas changed how he thinks about belonging, service, and the human side of economic development.</li> <li> <strong>Remember that buildings do not build communities by themselves.</strong> Projects, investment, and development matter, but the strongest communities are built through people, trust, participation, and shared pride.</li> </ol> <p><a href="https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/" rel="nofollow noopener">Like this show? Please leave us a review here</a> — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Damien Denmark.</p> econdev, economic development, eco devo, Yukon Oklahoma, economic development, Damian Denmark, business retention and expansion, incentive policy, TIF, Miller Crossing, data centers, community development, sports tourism In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Damian Denmark, economic development director for the City of Yukon, Oklahoma, about what it looks like to build an economic development department in a fast-growing suburban community northwest of Oklahoma City.

Damian shares how his move to Liberal, Kansas changed the way he thinks about community, belonging, and the people-first side of economic development.

The conversation moves from rural marketing and relationship-building to Yukon’s new incentive policy, the Miller Crossing project, TIFs, sports tourism, and the increasingly complicated question of data centers. For economic developers, this episode is a reminder that projects matter, but trust, policy, infrastructure, and community buy-in are what make growth work.

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Build the relationship before you need the deal. Damian’s approach is clear: trust opens doors with property owners, developers, tenant reps, brokers, city departments, and regional partners.
  2. Create policy before the pressure hits. Yukon’s work on incentive and economic development policies gave the city a framework for handling projects, negotiations, and community expectations.
  3. Treat residents as part of the project equation. Especially in communities reliant on sales tax, residents need to see why a project matters and how it benefits the place they live, work, and raise families.
  4. Use incentives to create community value, not just close deals. Yukon’s requirements around chamber membership, public art, city services, and community impact show how development agreements can ask more from projects.
  5. Do the infrastructure homework early. For data centers and other major projects, water, power, utilities, noise, and capacity questions need to be understood before promises are made.
  6. Do not reduce data centers to job counts. Damian notes that a data center may bring only 20 to 25 jobs, but the broader financial and infrastructure deal can still matter if negotiated well.
  7. Know what your community can realistically support. Economic developers should understand market capacity, utility capacity, resident concerns, and policy constraints before pursuing major industrial or technology projects.
  8. Move quickly, but do not confuse speed with sloppiness. Yukon’s Miller Crossing TIF moved in less than 60 days, but Damian also emphasized the stress, negotiation, and policy work behind that speed.
  9. Let personal experience shape professional practice. Damian’s time in Liberal, Kansas changed how he thinks about belonging, service, and the human side of economic development.
  10. Remember that buildings do not build communities by themselves. Projects, investment, and development matter, but the strongest communities are built through people, trust, participation, and shared pride.

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

Special Guest: Damien Denmark.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Damian Denmark, economic development director for the City of Yukon, Oklahoma, about what it looks like to build an economic development department in a fast-growing suburban community northwest of Oklahoma City.

Damian shares how his move to Liberal, Kansas changed the way he thinks about community, belonging, and the people-first side of economic development.

The conversation moves from rural marketing and relationship-building to Yukon’s new incentive policy, the Miller Crossing project, TIFs, sports tourism, and the increasingly complicated question of data centers. For economic developers, this episode is a reminder that projects matter, but trust, policy, infrastructure, and community buy-in are what make growth work.

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Build the relationship before you need the deal. Damian’s approach is clear: trust opens doors with property owners, developers, tenant reps, brokers, city departments, and regional partners.
  2. Create policy before the pressure hits. Yukon’s work on incentive and economic development policies gave the city a framework for handling projects, negotiations, and community expectations.
  3. Treat residents as part of the project equation. Especially in communities reliant on sales tax, residents need to see why a project matters and how it benefits the place they live, work, and raise families.
  4. Use incentives to create community value, not just close deals. Yukon’s requirements around chamber membership, public art, city services, and community impact show how development agreements can ask more from projects.
  5. Do the infrastructure homework early. For data centers and other major projects, water, power, utilities, noise, and capacity questions need to be understood before promises are made.
  6. Do not reduce data centers to job counts. Damian notes that a data center may bring only 20 to 25 jobs, but the broader financial and infrastructure deal can still matter if negotiated well.
  7. Know what your community can realistically support. Economic developers should understand market capacity, utility capacity, resident concerns, and policy constraints before pursuing major industrial or technology projects.
  8. Move quickly, but do not confuse speed with sloppiness. Yukon’s Miller Crossing TIF moved in less than 60 days, but Damian also emphasized the stress, negotiation, and policy work behind that speed.
  9. Let personal experience shape professional practice. Damian’s time in Liberal, Kansas changed how he thinks about belonging, service, and the human side of economic development.
  10. Remember that buildings do not build communities by themselves. Projects, investment, and development matter, but the strongest communities are built through people, trust, participation, and shared pride.

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

Special Guest: Damien Denmark.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> 188: Site Selectors Often Experience Your City First as Visitors with Tulsa's Renee McKenney https://podcast.econdevshow.com/188 d8f07cb4-0f38-4b73-b37c-b866073a4e0b Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:15:00 -0500 Dane Carlson 188 Site Selectors Often Experience Your City First as Visitors with Tulsa's Renee McKenney full Dane Carlson A conversation with Renee McKenney on how Tulsa blends tourism, placemaking, and economic development to punch above its weight on the national stage 26:28 no <p>In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Renee McKenney, Senior Vice President of Tourism for the Tulsa Regional Chamber and President of Tulsa Regional Tourism. Renee shares how Tulsa has leveraged its unique history, Route 66 heritage, and creative culture to attract visitors, residents, and businesses. From hosting major sporting events and revitalizing Black Wall Street to promoting film, music, and culinary scenes, Tulsa is redefining itself as a vibrant destination. Renee also explains how integrating tourism with economic development under the chamber umbrella creates a powerful synergy that fuels placemaking, business attraction, and civic pride</p> <p><a href="https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/" 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>Integrate tourism and economic development--site selectors often experience your city first as visitors.</li> <li>Identify and elevate authentic community assets (history, culture, sports, etc.).</li> <li>Lean into storytelling; narratives like Route 66 or Black Wall Street resonate nationally.</li> <li>Invest in placemaking that surprises and delights both locals and visitors.</li> <li>Use large-scale events (sports, festivals, shows) as business attraction opportunities.</li> <li>Partner with creative industries (film, music, arts) to build brand identity.</li> <li>Capitalize on civic pride to mobilize communities around unique initiatives.</li> <li>Focus on accessibility and vibe because livability drives both talent and business attraction.</li> <li>Treat tourism as "importing money and exporting experiences."</li> <li>Always be ready for your "prime time": community investments build toward big moments like centennials, championships, or global events. Special Guest: Renee McKenney.</li> </ol> econdev, economic development, eco devo, Tulsa, tourism, placemaking, Route 66, Black Wall Street, economic development, sports tourism, film industry, civic pride, chambers of commerce In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Renee McKenney, Senior Vice President of Tourism for the Tulsa Regional Chamber and President of Tulsa Regional Tourism. Renee shares how Tulsa has leveraged its unique history, Route 66 heritage, and creative culture to attract visitors, residents, and businesses. From hosting major sporting events and revitalizing Black Wall Street to promoting film, music, and culinary scenes, Tulsa is redefining itself as a vibrant destination. Renee also explains how integrating tourism with economic development under the chamber umbrella creates a powerful synergy that fuels placemaking, business attraction, and civic pride

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

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Integrate tourism and economic development--site selectors often experience your city first as visitors.
  2. Identify and elevate authentic community assets (history, culture, sports, etc.).
  3. Lean into storytelling; narratives like Route 66 or Black Wall Street resonate nationally.
  4. Invest in placemaking that surprises and delights both locals and visitors.
  5. Use large-scale events (sports, festivals, shows) as business attraction opportunities.
  6. Partner with creative industries (film, music, arts) to build brand identity.
  7. Capitalize on civic pride to mobilize communities around unique initiatives.
  8. Focus on accessibility and vibe because livability drives both talent and business attraction.
  9. Treat tourism as "importing money and exporting experiences."
  10. Always be ready for your "prime time": community investments build toward big moments like centennials, championships, or global events.

Special Guest: Renee McKenney.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Renee McKenney, Senior Vice President of Tourism for the Tulsa Regional Chamber and President of Tulsa Regional Tourism. Renee shares how Tulsa has leveraged its unique history, Route 66 heritage, and creative culture to attract visitors, residents, and businesses. From hosting major sporting events and revitalizing Black Wall Street to promoting film, music, and culinary scenes, Tulsa is redefining itself as a vibrant destination. Renee also explains how integrating tourism with economic development under the chamber umbrella creates a powerful synergy that fuels placemaking, business attraction, and civic pride

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

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Integrate tourism and economic development--site selectors often experience your city first as visitors.
  2. Identify and elevate authentic community assets (history, culture, sports, etc.).
  3. Lean into storytelling; narratives like Route 66 or Black Wall Street resonate nationally.
  4. Invest in placemaking that surprises and delights both locals and visitors.
  5. Use large-scale events (sports, festivals, shows) as business attraction opportunities.
  6. Partner with creative industries (film, music, arts) to build brand identity.
  7. Capitalize on civic pride to mobilize communities around unique initiatives.
  8. Focus on accessibility and vibe because livability drives both talent and business attraction.
  9. Treat tourism as "importing money and exporting experiences."
  10. Always be ready for your "prime time": community investments build toward big moments like centennials, championships, or global events.

Special Guest: Renee McKenney.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]>