Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development - Episodes Tagged with “Strategic Planning”

168: Reimagining Economic Transformation for Distressed Communities with Rohan Sandhu

Dane Carlson — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson sits down with Rohan Sandhu, co-founder of the Reimagining the Economy Project at Harvard Kennedy School, to examine the convergence of industrial policy, market crafting, and place-based economic development strategies. Drawing on his 15 years of experience at the intersection of research and practice, Sandhu discusses how traditional economic development approaches often fail distressed communities due to uncoordinated policies and limited local capacity. They explore how forward-looking economic transformation requires moving beyond reactive, transactional approaches to development and better aligning workforce systems with economic growth initiatives. Sandhu's insights from his work on projects like "Bottom-Up Bidenomics" and "The US Place-Based Policy Supply Chain" offer practical guidance for practitioners seeking to build more resilient local economies.

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

Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

Shift from reactive, crisis-driven economic development to forward-looking strategies with a clear vision for transformation.
Focus on building local institutional capacity as a foundation for implementing any economic development initiative.
Identify and address the coordination gaps between overlapping economic development policies at federal, state, and local levels.
Recognize the limitations of matching fund requirements that often exclude the most distressed communities from accessing resources.
Develop funding models for local intermediary organizations that support capacity-building, not just project implementation.
Integrate workforce development explicitly into economic growth strategies rather than treating them as separate domains.
Use data visualization tools like economyinplace.com to better understand local labor markets and policy flows in your region.
Examine how industrial policy principles can be applied practically to support small and medium enterprises in your community.
Identify opportunities for "productive upgrading" of service sectors that absorb local labor.
Design economic development strategies that directly target persistent economic distress rather than focusing primarily on already-advantaged areas.

Special Guest: Rohan Sandhu.

Sponsored By:

Sitehunt: If your property data is scattered or out of date, you're losing projects. Sitehunt gives economic developers an AI-powered property database and instant RFI responses. Schedule a demo today!

Links:

165: Leveraging Location and Infrastructure with Gus Garcia

Dane Carlson — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson welcomes Gus Garcia, the Director of Economic Development for the City of Arlington, Texas. Gus, a dual-certified economic developer with over 19 years of experience, shares his journey through various roles in both the public and private sectors. He emphasizes the importance of strategic planning, leveraging infrastructure, and fostering collaboration to achieve economic growth. Highlighting his work in Arlington and previous initiatives in cities like Edinburg and Duncanville, Gus provides listeners with a wealth of knowledge on implementing impactful economic development projects and aligning them with a city's long-term vision.

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

Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

Adopt strategic planning to keep your economic development initiatives aligned with long-term community goals.
Leverage your community's location and infrastructure to attract businesses and investments.
Cultivate both public and private sector partnerships to drive comprehensive economic growth.
Draw upon your previous experiences to create adaptable solutions in new roles.
Engage with local educational institutions to foster an environment conducive to economic advancement.
Encourage civic leadership and active community involvement in economic decision-making.
Recognize the importance of family support and personal interests in maintaining professional balance.
Utilize certifications and continuous learning to enhance your skills and credibility.
Balance immediate economic needs with long-term transformation strategies.
Treat every stakeholder with dignity and respect, adhering to the golden rule in all interactions.

Gus' Recommended Book

The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter, Updated and Expanded - it sets the tone for an organization's direction. In Economic development, we have to have a plan and follow it. It is easy to get sidetracked in many different directions.

Special Guest: Gus Garcia.

Links:

161: Unlocking the Power of Tertiary Markets with Dr. Ronda Sauget

Dane Carlson — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 00:15:00 -0600

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dr. Ronda Sauget, President and CEO of Coles Together, discusses the unique advantages of tertiary markets in economic development. She explores how smaller communities like Coles County, Illinois are attracting businesses through stable workforces, easier business processes, and strong infrastructure, while sharing her journey from the Federal Reserve to leading economic development in a thriving micropolitan area.

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

Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

Take fresh looks at existing assets - they might be more valuable than you think
Focus on building complete ecosystems including housing, childcare, and healthcare
Leverage your location's unique advantages in infrastructure and connectivity
Develop strong workforce pipelines through youth apprenticeships
Create strategic plans that align all community assets
Build relationships with both large and small businesses
Focus on quick turnaround times for business requests
Highlight quality of life advantages for workforce attraction
Develop strong public-private partnerships
Invest in sustainable infrastructure like green energy for long-term growth

Special Guest: Dr. Ronda Sauget.

Sponsored By:

Sitehunt: If your property data is scattered or out of date, you're losing projects. Sitehunt gives economic developers an AI-powered property database and instant RFI responses. Schedule a demo today!

Links:

159: Breaking the Poverty Cycle with Mary Cacioppi

Dane Carlson — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0600

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Mary Cacioppi brings her 22 years of combined experience in community development, economic development, and poverty reduction to discuss her groundbreaking approach to economic development. As the founder/CEO of Bridges to Prosperity Northern Illinois and a national consultant for aha! Process, Mary explains how understanding the root causes of poverty and implementing strategic poverty reduction initiatives can transform communities and create sustainable economic growth across a five-county area.

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

Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

Start using the term "attainable housing" instead of "affordable housing" to reduce stigma and increase acceptance
Conduct a community risk assessment to identify key areas needing attention
Evaluate your community's commitment to poverty reduction using the TRE Institute assessment tool
Create systems for tracking and measuring the utilization of community services
Build collaborative frameworks with other community organizations to avoid duplicate services
Reframe poverty reduction conversations as "upward mobility" when working with elected officials
Assess which community programs are underutilized and need better promotion
Develop strategic plans that integrate poverty reduction with economic development
Focus on creating system-wide changes rather than isolated programs
Engage business community leaders in poverty reduction conversations

Special Guest: Mary Cacioppi.

Links:

158: From Volunteer to CEO with Jennifer Storm

Dane Carlson — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 00:15:00 -0600

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Jennifer Storm, CEO of the Buda Economic Development Corporation, who discusses her transition from association management and government relations to economic development leadership. Storm shares insights about managing a rapidly growing community that's 90% built out, the importance of team building, and how her background in various roles prepared her for leading economic development in one of Texas's fastest-growing corridors.

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

Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

Focus on building and developing the right team for your organization
Don't underestimate the value of volunteer experience in economic development
Build strong relationships with regional economic development partners
Plan strategically when dealing with limited developable land
Stay connected with community stakeholders through regular communication
Consider the impact of surrounding communities on your development strategy
Leverage prior experience from other fields in economic development
Be proactive in addressing space constraints in your community
Maintain strong connections with your board and city leadership
Focus on quality development when quantity is limited by space

Special Guest: Jennifer Storm.

Sponsored By:

Sitehunt: If your property data is scattered or out of date, you're losing projects. Sitehunt gives economic developers an AI-powered property database and instant RFI responses. Schedule a demo today!

Links:

156: The Art of Economic Development Fundraising with Clint Nessmith

Dane Carlson — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 00:15:00 -0600

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Clint Nessmith, CEO of Resource Development Group, reveals the niche world of economic development fundraising consulting. He explains how his firm exclusively works with economic development organizations and chambers of commerce across the country, particularly focusing on larger regional chambers in major markets. Nessmith shares insights about the fundraising process, the importance of market validation, and how proper fundraising can unite communities behind a shared vision.

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

Actionable Takeaways

Consider hiring specialized fundraising consultants for major economic development campaigns
Validate your fundraising goals through market research before launching campaigns
Use fundraising processes to unite community stakeholders behind a shared vision
Focus on creating comprehensive plans that address market-identified needs
Don't hesitate to delay fundraising if market validation suggests you're not ready
Leverage external expertise to add credibility to your fundraising efforts
Stay informed about economic development funding trends through industry resources
Build fundraising models that match your organization's size and scope
Use fundraising campaigns as opportunities to strengthen community relationships
Incorporate market feedback into your organizational messaging and planning

Special Guest: Clint Nessmith.

Sponsored By:

Sitehunt: If your property data is scattered or out of date, you're losing projects. Sitehunt gives economic developers an AI-powered property database and instant RFI responses. Schedule a demo today!

Links:

151: Economic Development Scorecards Simplified with Kathleen Rose

Dane Carlson — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:15:00 -0600

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Kathleen Rose, drawing from her 30-year experience and family background in development, discusses the evolution of economic development planning from lengthy reports to actionable scorecards. She emphasizes the importance of practical implementation over extensive planning, sharing how her firm helps communities move from aspirational ideas to concrete actions through data-driven approaches and efficient resource allocation.

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

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers:

Replace lengthy reports with concise, data-driven scorecards to track progress
Focus on implementation strategies rather than just creating plans
Build stronger partnerships with the private sector for effective execution
Use scorecards with 90 data points to guide decision-making
Consider cost-effective snapshot assessments before investing in expensive plans
Create practical "recipe books" for implementing strategic plans
Align economic development goals with existing comprehensive land use plans
Prioritize action-oriented documents over aspirational planning
Update and track progress regularly using measurable data points
Focus resources on specific annual priorities rather than trying to do everything at once

Special Guest: Kathleen Rose.

Sponsored By:

Sitehunt: If your property data is scattered or out of date, you're losing projects. Sitehunt gives economic developers an AI-powered property database and instant RFI responses. Schedule a demo today!

Links:

147: Transforming Communities Through Redevelopment with Kristen Fish-Peterson

Dane Carlson — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:15:00 -0500

This episode of the Econ Dev Show podcast features an insightful conversation with Kristen Fish-Peterson, the Principal and CEO at Redevelopment Resources. Kristen shares her vast expertise in economic and community development, detailing the work her firm does in housing studies, market analysis, and downtown redevelopment planning. Throughout the episode, Kristen emphasizes her team's unique ability to work with both private developers and public sector entities, helping them navigate the complexities of municipal processes and strategic planning.

As the discussion unfolds, Dane and Kristen explore how economic development and redevelopment projects can rejuvenate communities, particularly downtown areas. Kristen delves into how her team assists municipalities in implementing redevelopment plans and helping developers secure the necessary municipal support. This episode provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the world of redevelopment, offering valuable insights for economic developers and community planners alike.

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

Sponsored By:

Sitehunt: If your property data is scattered or out of date, you're losing projects. Sitehunt gives economic developers an AI-powered property database and instant RFI responses. Schedule a demo today!

Links:

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.

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

Special Guest: Anne Krieg.

Sponsored By:

Sitehunt: If your property data is scattered or out of date, you're losing projects. Sitehunt gives economic developers an AI-powered property database and instant RFI responses. Schedule a demo today!

Links:

116: From English Roots to Economic Fruits: Thomas Cox's Journey Economic Development in Sauk County

Dane Carlson — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 00:15:00 -0600

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane delves into Thomas Cox's inspiring story, tracing his roots from England to his pivotal role as the Executive Director of the Sauk County Development Corporation in Wisconsin. Thomas details his strategic vision for the county, emphasizing the importance of trusted partnerships, education, upskilling, and community-responsible development. He sheds light on tackling the county's critical needs such as housing, childcare, and workforce development, and discusses his philosophy on achieving excellence in economic development. Through his commitment to enhancing economic vibrancy and his approach to transitioning the organization to private funding for greater community engagement, Thomas Cox is not just leading development initiatives but is passionately working to improve the lives of individuals across communities.

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

Special Guest: Thomas Cox.

Sponsored By:

KathodeRay Media, Inc.: ![KathodeRay](https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/f/f078f684-f72f-4a43-957d-de3aff69810b/pIhKskzG.jpg) [KathodeRay](https://kathoderay.com) is a full-service marketing agency that connects government organizations to their community. This small (but mighty) woman owned and operated marketing agency can help your community thrive. They use tried and true methods that will connect your organization to your residents using social, digital and traditional media. [https://kathoderay.com](https://kathoderay.com)

Links: