In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson engages with Ben Lamb, Vice President of Economic Development at 1Berkshire in Massachusetts, to unravel the synergistic blend of economic growth and tourism in the Berkshires. Ben illuminates the unique approach of integrating cultural and economic vibrancy within a rural context, underlining the strategic application of 'wraparound economic development.' This concept not only aims at job creation and business enhancement but also...

In today's episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane dives into the resurgence of labor productivity growth in the US, marking an end to years of standstill. This isn't just economic jargon; it's about how these changes affect our daily lives, enhancing our overall quality of life. There's a compelling narrative unfolding, reminiscent of the productivity leaps we saw in the 1990s. Let's explore what this means for us today and uncover the parallels and lessons from that transformative era. Like...

Hey there! I know it's been a while since you've heard from me — I've been deep in the trenches working on something special. Let me introduce you to Sitehunt: it's my latest creation, designed with a pinch of AI magic to revolutionize how economic developers gather property data. It's more than just a tool; it's your new partner in making well-informed decisions and speeding up the whole site selection process, all to help you nail those RFI responses and get ahead in your projects. I made...

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson sits down with Adam Berk, co-author of "Startup Program Design," to explore the nuances of creating successful partnerships between startups and corporates. Berk delves into the challenges and opportunities in these collaborations, providing practical advice on how to design effective startup programs. His approach emphasizes the importance of mutual understanding, strategic alignment, and fostering an environment that encourages...

In this encore episode from 2022, Dane talks with Emily Blaylock, Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer for Northwest Bank about Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Northwest Bank & Trust Company is an entrepreneurial bank that has built an Economic Development Division to help developers and municipalities get projects done around the US. They utilize Tax Increment Financing incentives designated from the municipalities to give developers funds upfront. These funds can be used to...

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane talks with Nate Clayberg CEcD. Nate Clayberg's approach to education is all about getting students ready for a future job market, including careers that might not even exist yet. With his varied experience in fields like broadcasting, sports, and economic development, Clayberg sees the importance of changing the way education is delivered. He suggests moving away from the traditional classroom focus and instead, developing skills that are versatile...

STARTedUP Foundation, founded by former teacher Don Wettrick, is reshaping the educational experience in Indiana by introducing students to entrepreneurship. This initiative provides a unique platform where students engage in real-world problem-solving, develop business ideas, and receive mentorship from industry experts. The foundation hosts annual competitions where students pitch their ideas, fostering a new generation of innovators who are equipped to tackle real-world challenges through...

In this episode, Dane and Jeff Siegler, author of "Your City is Sick" and a seasoned consultant in civic pride, delves into strategies for reviving struggling communities. Drawing from his extensive experience in urban planning and Main Street revitalization, he underscores the necessity of long-term, community-driven efforts, highlighting the pitfalls of apathy and external quick fixes. Siegler advocates for small, consistent actions rooted in higher standards, analogous to personal health...

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson converses with LeeAnn Nixon, President of Wilkes Economic Development, about the diverse economic landscape of Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Nixon discusses the area's key industries, including building and food and beverage, its rich agricultural heritage producing country ham and apple cider, and the growing emphasis on technology and cybersecurity. The episode offers a comprehensive view of Wilkesboro's efforts to adapt to...

David Ponraj, founder and CEO of Economic Impact Catalyst shares insights on the difficulties of starting a business, highlighting the need for a variety of skills such as finance, sales, and team management. He reflects on his journey in creating a venture that evolved from a simple platform to a sophisticated service blending technology and strategic consulting, akin to Salesforce and McKinsey & Company. Ponraj emphasizes the potential of leveraging artificial intelligence and machine...

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,...

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show podcast Deb Brown, co-founder of SaveYour.Town, talks about her work in rural community and economic development. She explains how inclusive community engagement through activities like vacant building tours and seeking input from all community members, including youth, can generate excitement and ideas. Deb also emphasizes the power of testing small ideas, gathering community involvement, and taking small steps to build momentum. Her approach focuses on...

Chris Gibbons, creator of the economic gardening concept, explains how he pioneered the idea in Littleton, Colorado in the 1980s to help local companies create jobs after major layoffs. Economic gardening focuses on providing research and insights to growing stage two companies, not basic business assistance. Gibbons discusses the sales window concept they use to efficiently find the best prospects, and their move into leveraging AI like ChatGPT. He also shares his passion for helping...

In this episode, host Dane Carlson interviews Don Erwin, author of the economic development thriller novel "Buffalo Hunting in Alabama." Erwin wrote the novel to make economic development more relatable and exciting to the general public, who often have negative perceptions of the industry. The book follows a protagonist who reluctantly returns to Alabama to work in economic development, getting involved in high-stakes mega projects and talent recruitment. Erwin incorporates real economic...

What's your downtown like? As a county economic developer, I can look out over several different cities, all with a diverse array of downtowns: Some are vibrant, beautiful tourist destinations. Others are transitioning and improving with city dollars and commercial reinvestment into new stores, new facades, new lighting, new life. Some suburban cities, to their shame, don't even really have downtowns. Unfortunately, I live in a town like that. But still, others are shells of their...

In the this episode of the Econ Dev Show podcast, host Dane Carlson shares an insightful conversation with Noah Wilson of Mountain BizWorks and Bradley Spiegel from the Made By Mountains Partnership, delving into the outdoor recreation economy in Western North Carolina. Together, they explore the diverse elements of the outdoor economy supply chain encompassing manufacturing, guiding services, retail, and infrastructure planning, elucidating how each component significantly contributes to the...

Jon Maynard has worked in economic development for over 15 years. In that time, he's come to believe that the traditional model of recruiting big employers doesn't work well for most small towns. Instead, he advocates for what he calls "tropical fish" economic development - building a vibrant community "reef" that will naturally attract residents, entrepreneurs and small businesses. The foundation of Maynard's approach is caring deeply about the town and its people. A declining "give a damn...

Anthony Michelic, President and CEO of The Pace Group executive recruiting firm, joins Dane on the the show in this, the first in-person episode the Econ Dev Show, joins the show to discuss how his firm works, trends in the economic development and chamber executive job market, advice for job seekers and career developers in the industry, changes he has seen since the pandemic, and the importance of properly aligning incentives between candidates, hiring organizations, and...

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane welcome Beth Zimmer, Program Manager with the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Building Leadership Project. Beth takes us on a journey through her five-year endeavor to cultivate a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Pennsylvania. From deep-diving into cultural assessments to executing awareness campaigns, her comprehensive approach sought to uplift the state's entrepreneurial spirit. Beth delves into the intricate components that make up an...

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Joe Collins, economic development director for Norwood, MA, shares how his dual role for the town and municipal electric utility gives him an advantage in supporting local businesses. He discusses relationship building with groups like the chamber, how he sources ideas from podcasts and newsletters, and tools he uses like Apollo.io to find contact information. Joe also learns he was the very first subscriber to Dane's newsletter. Like this show?...

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Jamie Beasley talks with Dane Carlson about leaving law and virtual assistance to pursue a masters in economic development, the challenges of finding an entry-level job with her advanced degree, and her first month leading a rural chamber of commerce in Oklahoma. She provides tips on organization and discusses the potential for virtual assistants in economic development. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special...

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Ben McDaniel, the director for the Barrow Brazelton Joint Economic Development Authority in Georgia, shares how he uses memes and AI tools like ChatGPT to market his community in creative ways. McDaniel says he leans into his authentic self on platforms like LinkedIn, making funny or interesting memes that get noticed by site selectors and project managers. He also uses ChatGPT to help with common economic development tasks like crafting RFI responses and...

Delve into the multifaceted world of economic development with Dane Carlson as he engages in an enlightening conversation with Dr. Chad Miller, the Graduate Coordinator for the Economic Development Master's program at the University of Southern Mississippi. In this episode, Miller paints a vivid picture of the ever-evolving landscape of economic development, tracing its roots from basic infrastructural necessities in developing nations to the data-driven approaches prevalent in developed...

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...

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson sits down with Jennifer Olson, Director of Business Development for the city of Marion, Illinois, discussing the impact of her podcast "Small Town, Big Business" and delving into the economic development and revitalization efforts in her town. They discuss the challenges and rewards of running a successful podcast, the importance of small businesses in rural communities, and the significance of tourism in Marion. The episode begins...