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.
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Andrew Sloss discusses his transition to independent consulting and the lessons he has learned from nearly two decades in site selection and incentive negotiations. He explains why an initial “no” from a community may reflect a misunderstanding, a lack of available tools, or simply bad timing, and how better communication and persistence can create new possibilities. Andrew also shares a retention project involving a struggling retailer, including how communities used job grants, workforce funds, and university tuition benefits to help keep locations open. The conversation covers demonstrating a company’s broader community value, building flexible incentive programs, avoiding compliance failures, maintaining long-term relationships, and using AI carefully in site selection work. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Treat an initial “no” as a signal to clarify the request, not necessarily as the final decision. When a project does not create new jobs or investment, look for ways to demonstrate its broader community value. Assess whether a business provides essential services that residents would have to travel significantly farther to access. Review existing programs—such as workforce, façade, landscaping, or downtown grants—for unused funds and possible flexibility. Discuss unusual retention requests internally with elected officials and local leadership before dismissing them. Be transparent about what you can and cannot provide, and explain the limits of your authority clearly. Maintain strong relationships with site selectors, consultants, and company representatives before a project arrives. When negotiating incentives, discuss whether the answer is a hard no, a temporary no, or a maybe that could change with a stronger business case. Build incentive compliance responsibilities into multiple people’s roles so the process does not disappear when one employee leaves. Use AI for administrative support and high-level research, but double- and triple-check buildings, people, and other site-selection facts before relying on them. Special Guest: Andrew Sloss.
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Lavera Alexander about how the Monterey Bay region is positioning itself at the forefront of advanced air mobility. Lavera explains how four public-use airports, aircraft manufacturers, research institutions, workforce partners, and community leaders are being brought together into a coordinated flight network designed to accelerate testing and commercialization. The conversation explores the importance of airport infrastructure, public-private partnerships, community participation, and certification-based career pathways that can lead to high-paying jobs without requiring a four-year degree. For economic developers, the Monterey Bay story demonstrates how smaller and rural regions can compete in emerging industries by recognizing their existing assets, convening the right partners, preparing before funding becomes available, and making public benefit central to the strategy. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Inventory what is already happening. Identify existing employers, airports, research institutions, training programs, infrastructure, and geographic advantages before trying to create a new industry cluster. Connect isolated activities into a regional strategy. Separate companies, airports, and institutions become more competitive when their work is coordinated around a shared goal. Prepare before funding becomes available. Use regional planning processes to develop relationships, document opportunities, and create an implementation plan so the region can move quickly when state or federal funding opens. Lead with your region’s distinct advantages. Smaller regions do not need to imitate major technology hubs. They can compete by offering specialized assets, terrain, facilities, partnerships, or capabilities that larger metros cannot easily reproduce. Explain the public benefit early. Do not focus solely on how impressive a new technology is. Show residents how it could improve transportation, healthcare access, logistics, employment, or quality of life. Bring the community into the process before commercialization. Give residents opportunities to ask questions, influence priorities, and understand how they can participate instead of expecting them to catch up later. Create workforce pathways that do not require four-year degrees. Work with community colleges, universities, employers, philanthropies, and grantmakers to develop affordable certification programs connected to real jobs. Assess infrastructure readiness honestly. Evaluate what local airports and other public assets need in terms of upgrades, capacity, equipment, and supporting infrastructure before recruiting additional activity. Treat questions and resistance as opportunities for education. Concerns about change often reflect uncertainty. Respond with practical information, specific use cases, and clear explanations of what is known and what is still being developed. Combine sector expertise with economic development expertise. Technical consultants understand the industry, but economic developers bring convening, partnership-building, funding, workforce, inclusion, and community implementation skills that are essential to success. Special Guest: Lavera Alexander.
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Liz Maxwell, chief of staff at the Idea Village, about how communities can support high-growth startups as part of a broader economic development strategy. Liz explains what accelerators actually do, how they differ from incubators and traditional small-business programs, and why capital is often not the real bottleneck for emerging companies. They explore the four ingredients of a healthy venture ecosystem, talent, capital, customers, and access to interesting problems, and discuss how the Gulf South can build globally relevant companies around energy, manufacturing, ports, coastal resilience, and other real-world challenges. Liz also shares how communities can avoid “startup theater,” measure meaningful results through revenue, capital, and jobs, and make a practical case for homegrown innovation to local boards and stakeholders. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Liz Maxwell.
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Melissa James, founding president and CEO of REACH Central Coast, about building a regional economic development organization amid the anticipated closure of Diablo Canyon, persistent affordability challenges, and a fragmented approach to growth. Melissa explains how the Central Coast organized around its distinctive assets in energy, space and aerospace, and high tech; set a goal of creating 15,000 good-paying jobs by 2030; and connected that strategy to workforce development and housing. She also shares practical lessons about private-sector leadership, cross-sector coalitions, memorandums of understanding, institutional continuity, the patience required for long-term development, and the surprisingly powerful role ceremony can play in sustaining shared ownership and momentum. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Melissa James.
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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
In this episode Dane talks with Kevin Johnson, president and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, about Detroit’s current economic momentum and what other communities can learn from it. Kevin explains why “comeback city” no longer fully captures Detroit’s story, how technology, manufacturing, real estate, sports, tourism, and earned media are reshaping the city’s market position, and why neighborhood commercial corridors matter to both residents and corporate decision-makers. The conversation also digs into Motor City Match, startup investment, grocery access, DEGC’s role as a consistent economic development partner across administrations, and the need for economic developers to lead community conversations before projects reach the public hearing stage. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Move past outdated narratives. If your community is still being described by an old story, build a clearer explanation of what is happening now and why the market should care. Turn earned media into market momentum. When outside publications, events, or visitors validate your community, use that attention to reinforce your business attraction message. Treat neighborhoods as part of the business case. Corporate decision-makers care whether employees can live near quality housing, services, and commercial corridors. Support storefronts as neighborhood stabilization tools. Small business grants, façade improvements, and corridor-focused programs can create visible investment, jobs, and community confidence at the same time. Build entrepreneurship programs around local people. Kevin emphasized that many Detroit entrepreneurs come from the neighborhoods themselves; programs should recognize and support that local ownership. Use startup funding to anchor future growth. If you invest in early-stage companies, tie that support to a commitment that they build and scale in your community. Make access and inclusion measurable. DEGC points to who receives support through its programs, including women, minority entrepreneurs, and native Detroiters, so the public can see whether the work reflects the city. Keep economic development steady across political transitions. A clear report card, consistent outcomes, and strong public authority management can help preserve trust when administrations change. Lead community conversations early. For major projects, do not wait until the zoning or planning meeting to address concerns about utilities, infrastructure, schools, roads, water, or community benefits. Know whether your community really wants growth. Kevin’s advice to younger economic developers was blunt: read your city honestly, seek buy-in, and do not spend your best years fighting a place that does not want the work you were hired to do. Special Guest: Kevin Johnson.
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane talks with Janae Stark about the Community Economic Revitalization Board’s “right project, right time” approach to rural economic development, from planning and project development to infrastructure financing, construction timelines, and what happens when projects go sideways. Janae shares how CERB works with communities and federally recognized tribes in Washington State, why trust and relationship-building matter as much as funding, and how infrastructure like buildings, roads, utilities, and rural broadband can unlock opportunity for small communities. The conversation also explores the less visible work behind successful projects, the importance of helping communities avoid bad bets, and why economic developers need spaces to learn from one another instead of reinventing the wheel alone. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Start with project readiness, not the application. Before pursuing funding, work backward from the business or community timeline and identify permits, environmental review, match funding, private investment, and approvals needed to get to contract. Treat planning as economic development work. Use planning funds and community outreach to clarify what the community actually wants to become, not just what project happens to be available. Build relationships before things go wrong. Communities are more likely to call early when a business partner pulls out or a project changes if they already trust you. Be willing to coach communities toward the right funder. If your program is not the best fit, help the community find the organization or funding source that can get them to yes. Do not confuse urgency with readiness. A project can look exciting on paper but still be too risky if the private partner, repayment plan, permits, or timeline are not solid. Ask whether the infrastructure can support more than one possible business. Projects are safer when the building, road, utility, or site improvement can be reused or marketed to another company if the original deal falls apart. Help elected officials and board members understand the invisible work. Explain the project development, relationship management, and risk reduction that happen long before a groundbreaking or ribbon cutting. Recognize that different infrastructure has different economic impacts. Buildings, roads, water, sewer, and electricity may directly enable business expansion, while broadband may improve community competitiveness in broader, less immediately visible ways. Create peer networks for practitioners. New economic developers need places to ask basic questions, decode acronyms, find funding calendars, and learn from communities that have already solved similar problems. Show up and listen locally. Especially for people new to economic development, attending community meetings, listening to difficult voices, validating concerns, and asking experienced practitioners for help are essential parts of learning the work. Special Guest: Janea Stark.
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Michael Hecht, CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc., about the deeper economic story behind a region best known for food, music, culture, and Mardi Gras. Michael explains how New Orleans’ economy is rooted in maritime, energy, defense, aerospace, and industrial innovation, and why long-term recovery after major disruption requires sustained leadership, trust, humility, and coalition-building. The conversation covers GNO Inc.’s approach to business environment work, the “power of powerlessness,” regional trust-building across 10 parishes, the importance of focusing resources on sectors with real strategic fit, and why economic developers should study history and political science if they want to create lasting change. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Michael Hecht.
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane talks with Anna Cardona, an economic development consultant with Wolves Development Group, about her path from architecture and design into economic development, her move from public and public-private work into the private sector, and the growing role of energy infrastructure in getting major projects across the finish line. Anna explains how power availability, behind-the-meter solutions, and infrastructure capital are shaping everything from advanced manufacturing to data centers, and why communities need to rethink economic development beyond job counts and CapEx. The conversation also covers community backlash, board education, regenerative industrial ecosystems, family office conferences as an overlooked deal source, and how economic developers can become more empowered, proactive, and creative in building their own pipelines. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Anna Cardona.
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Matt Mandrella, Music Officer for the City of Huntsville, Alabama, about what it means for a city government to take music seriously as an economic development strategy. Matt explains how Huntsville’s music audit led to intentional investments in venues, programming, artist development, tourism, and workforce attraction, including the Orion Amphitheater, MidCity, Women in Music, tour grants, a central music calendar, and partnerships that help local artists and businesses grow. The conversation shows economic developers how music can strengthen quality of life, support downtown and district development, attract talent, create career pathways, and give a community a stronger identity without trying to become the next Nashville or Austin. Like this show? Please leave a review . Even one sentence helps more than you know. 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Start with an audit. Before launching programs, study the local music ecosystem, identify gaps, and use that work to create a practical roadmap. Treat music as quality-of-life infrastructure. Think about music the same way you think about parks, trails, sports, and public spaces: as something that helps people choose to live, work, and stay in your community. Connect music to talent attraction. If your community has hard-to-fill jobs, especially higher-skill jobs, remember that people also choose places based on what life feels like after work. Design venues as district anchors. A major music venue can help catalyze surrounding private investment when it is tied to restaurants, hotels, housing, public spaces, and a broader district strategy. Program public venues beyond big concerts. Use civic venues for free and low-cost community events, fitness classes, festivals, seasonal events, and local programming so taxpayers feel ownership of the space. Support artists as small businesses. Programs like tour grants, showcases, and local performance opportunities can help musicians build momentum, gain confidence, and create professional pathways. Create a central music calendar. If residents and visitors have to check five different websites to find live music, the community is leaving value on the table. Use small programs in small communities. Even without a major amphitheater, communities can support live music on town squares, at restaurants, farmers markets, downtown events, and public gatherings. Build the behind-the-scenes workforce. Music creates opportunities beyond performers, including sound, lighting, staging, trucking, security, ticketing, marketing, hospitality, and event operations. Develop your own identity. Do not try to become Nashville, Austin, or New Orleans. Build a music strategy that fits your own community, culture, venues, talent, and long-term goals. Special Guest: Matt Mandrella.
In this episode Dane Carlson talks with Jon Roberts of TIP Strategies about his new book, The Cost of Cool: Austin's Tech Growth and the People Left Behind, and what Austin’s rise can teach economic developers everywhere. They discuss how Austin became a tech and talent magnet, why that growth created real pressure around equity, housing, and displacement, and whether tech growth inevitably widens community divides. Jon also explains why entrepreneurial ecosystems need more than enthusiasm, why universities and major companies matter, how communities like Green Bay and Racine County, Wisconsin are building on their own assets, and why economic developers need to think about AI, quantum computing, bioengineering, and the next wave of technology without forgetting the people who may be left behind. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Treat equity as a front-end strategy, not a cleanup project. If tech growth is coming, plan for housing, displacement, affordability, and access before the growth accelerates. Be honest about the tradeoffs of tech growth. Jon argues that more tech investment has historically been linked with greater inequity, so economic developers should discuss that risk openly instead of assuming growth automatically benefits everyone. Do not build an entrepreneurial strategy around vibes alone. Incubators and startup events help, but the conversation emphasized the importance of real links to research, tech transfer, and major corporate activity. Know the assets you actually have. Green Bay's example shows that communities can build from distinctive local strengths, including major institutions or brands, instead of trying to copy Austin or Silicon Valley. Create tight relationships with universities and companies, even if they are not in your backyard. Physical proximity may help, but the more important issue is whether the connection is real, active, and tied to specific development opportunities. Use major projects as platforms, not endpoints. A data center complex, corporate investment, or innovation park should raise the question: "What turns this into something more?" Protect vulnerable neighborhoods before market pressure arrives. Once high-income workers begin bidding up undervalued neighborhoods, the available responses become more limited. Understand that "cool" is hard to manufacture. Austin's music, counterculture, local institutions, and "Keep Austin Weird" identity became part of its attraction, but they were not simply chamber-of-commerce slogans. Keep a long view on technology. AI matters, but Jon cautions economic developers not to treat it as the final technological shift. Quantum computing, bioengineering, and other changes may be next. Make the uncomfortable conversations part of the work. Questions about displacement, inequality, tech disruption, and who benefits from growth may not have easy answers, but avoiding them makes communities less prepared. Special Guest: Jon Roberts.
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Dr. Glenn Athey, author of The Local and Regional Economic Development Handbook, about what economic developers actually need to know to move from strategy to delivery. Glenn shares how growing up in northeast England during de-industrialization shaped his interest in regional economic development, why he wrote the book he wishes he had at the start of his career, and how practitioners can use international case studies without simply copying someone else’s playbook. The conversation covers action-oriented strategies, evidence that informs decisions instead of burying teams in data, the importance of local capacity, entrepreneurship support that prioritizes high-growth potential, and how sustainability can run through every part of economic development rather than sit off to the side. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Keep a working reference shelf. Economic development is too broad to know everything cold. Have reliable resources you can dip into before meetings on unfamiliar topics. Read enough to participate intelligently. You do not have to become an expert overnight, but you should understand the basics well enough to ask good questions and add value. Turn strategy into an action plan. A useful strategy should say what the community will do, what it will keep doing, what happens next, and how success will be measured. Do not confuse data with analysis. Dashboards and tables are not the point. Ask, "So what does this mean, and what should we do differently?" Borrow proven ideas, then localize them. Most communities do not need to invent something brand new. Study what worked elsewhere, then adapt it to your own economy, assets, and constraints. Be more curious. Visit the neighboring community with the strong business center. Ask how their program works. Learn from people who are already doing the thing well. Know your community's real capacity. Big ambitions require people, skills, funding, and institutional ability. A plan that ignores delivery capacity is likely to become shelf art. Prioritize business support where you can add the most value. Lifestyle businesses, high-growth startups, exporters, and innovation-driven firms may all need help, but they do not all produce the same economic impact. Connect the functions. Investment attraction depends on workforce, sites, infrastructure, universities, entrepreneurship, planning, and policy. The best economic developers see how the pieces fit together. Build confidence across the whole field. Economic development touches strategy, business growth, workforce, sites, investment, inclusion, planning, and more. You do not need to know every topic perfectly, but you do need enough range to recognize how the pieces connect. Special Guest: Dr. Glenn Athey.
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Mark Williams , founder of Strategic Development Group and author of Corporate Site Selection and Economic Development: A 35 Year Perspective , about what really happens behind the scenes in site selection. Mark shares lessons from working in state government, building a consulting firm, advising corporate clients, and writing a book that has become both a teaching tool and a business development asset. The conversation covers why economic developers and companies often misunderstand each other, why listening matters more than overloading prospects with information, how time quietly kills deals, what clients really want from consultants and communities, and how technology, AI, virtual meetings, and generational change are reshaping the field without replacing the need for judgment, trust, and walking the site. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guests: Dr. Glenn Athey and Mark Williams.
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Podcast, Dane Carlson talks with Brian Abernathy of Convergent and Clint Nessmith of Resource Development Group, now RDG, a Convergent Company, about the merger of two major economic development fundraising firms and what it means for chambers, EDOs, and community organizations. They discuss why economic development fundraising is becoming more critical, how campaigns are evolving beyond traditional jobs and investment metrics, and why organizations must make a clearer case for their value. Brian and Clint also explain how data, disciplined campaign execution, feasibility studies, and strong public-private partnerships can help communities fund the work required to compete. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Make the value case clearer. Investors need to understand what your organization does, why it matters, and what outcomes their funding supports. Do not rely only on past success. A good track record helps, but each new campaign needs a fresh, specific, forward-looking reason to invest. Use data to strengthen your story. Fundraising works better when your case combines vision with evidence, benchmarks, campaign history, and measurable outcomes. Treat fundraising as strategy, not just revenue. A campaign should clarify priorities, align leadership, and sharpen the organization's role in the community. Run a feasibility study before a major campaign. Confidential investor feedback can reveal whether your campaign is ready, credible, and properly sized. Connect economic development to broader community needs. Workforce, housing, infrastructure, quality of life, and nonprofit capacity all affect competitiveness. Keep trusted relationships front and center. Funders support people and organizations they trust, especially when the work requires multi-year commitments. Show investors where their money goes. Be specific about programs, staff capacity, outcomes, timelines, and the practical work their support makes possible. Position your organization as a convener. EDOs and chambers often create value by bringing public, private, nonprofit, and education partners together around shared priorities. Prepare for more sophisticated funders. Investors are asking better questions. Be ready with a stronger narrative, better data, and a disciplined plan for execution. Special Guests: Brian Abernathy and Clint Nessmith.
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Teresa Nortillo, President of Eco Devo 360, about how economic development has evolved from a deal-focused discipline into a complex, ecosystem-driven practice. They explore how energy constraints, workforce skill gaps, and the need for rapid RFI responses are reshaping site selection, along with the growing importance of childcare, housing, and regional collaboration. Teresa also introduces the concept of ecosystem-based cost modeling, explains why many communities struggle to implement traditional consulting plans, and shares her mission to make high-quality economic development support accessible to under-resourced communities. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Build a system to respond to RFIs within 48 hours or less Inventory your community's workforce by skills, not just occupations Develop relationships with utilities early, they are now deal drivers Map your full economic ecosystem including housing, childcare, and infrastructure Create or adopt a cost model to understand true location competitiveness Collaborate regionally instead of competing in isolation Identify and fill critical data gaps before prospects ask for them Prioritize implementation capacity, not just strategic planning documents Explore alternative revenue strategies beyond property and sales tax Invest in training and mentorship for newer economic development staff Special Guest: Teresa Nortillo.
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. Like this show? Please leave us a review here . 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.
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with David Parker of the Bermuda Business Development Agency about how a small island became a global powerhouse in reinsurance and is now strategically diversifying its economy. David explains Bermuda’s unique “triangle” of government, regulator, and private sector alignment, the role of regulatory innovation like sandboxes, and how the agency targets the right companies using data and intelligence. The conversation explores investment attraction, high-net-worth migration programs, and why Bermuda focuses less on competing broadly and more on being the obvious choice for specific industries and business models. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Focus on becoming the best location for a specific niche instead of competing broadly. Align government, regulators, and private sector around a shared vision to create a unified value proposition. Use data and intelligence to target companies that are a strong fit rather than marketing to everyone. Build strong aftercare programs so existing companies become your best ambassadors. Develop regulatory flexibility (like sandboxes) to attract innovative industries. Think of your community as a launchpad into larger markets, not just a standalone market. Prioritize certainty and stability, especially when targeting global investors and firms. Engage high-net-worth individuals as network multipliers, not just direct investors. Invest in research capacity internally to guide strategy and outreach. Continuously advocate for policy and regulatory improvements to stay competitive. Special Guest: David Parker.
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Tim Hanigan, CEO of the Aberdeen Development Corporation in Aberdeen, South Dakota, about how a rural community of 30,000 punches above its weight in economic development. Tim explains how Aberdeen leverages entrepreneurship, regional workforce draw, and value-added agriculture to build one of the most diverse micropolitan economies in the U.S. The conversation dives into practical tools like revolving loan funds, shovel-ready site development, and tight-knit community coordination, along with lessons learned from winning and losing projects. Tim also shares how rural economic developers must wear many hats, from childcare advocacy to housing and workforce development, and why knowing your limits and leaning into your strengths is key to long-term success. 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Build your own toolbox early - Start small with tools like a revolving loan fund. Even modest contributions compound into real leverage over time. Have product ready before the prospect shows up - Shovel-ready sites win deals. If you're waiting until an RFI arrives, you're already behind. Sell your labor shed, not just your city limits - Expand your workforce story to include the full commuting region, not just population within city boundaries. Be honest about fit upfront - Disqualify bad-fit projects early. It saves time, builds credibility, and focuses your effort on winnable deals. Use speed as a competitive advantage - Quick answers, quick coordination, and quick decisions often beat larger incentive packages. Coordinate like one team, not multiple agencies - Eliminate friction between city, county, utilities, and partners so companies feel like there's "no wrong door." Invest in local companies, not just recruitment - Expansions from existing businesses can absorb sites faster and more reliably than outside recruitment. Treat workforce, housing, and childcare as core infrastructure - These are not side issues. They directly determine whether companies can hire and grow. Lean into what you actually do well - Don't try to win every project. Focus on industries and company sizes that match your real strengths. Own the outcome, even when you lose - Some deals fall apart for reasons outside your control. Learn what you can, adjust where possible, and keep moving. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Tim Hanigan.
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Taylor Stepp, Founder and President of Strategic Development Partners, about the real role incentives play in economic development deals. Drawing on experience working with corporations and communities across the country, Taylor explains how incentives influence project internal rate of return, why applicability and customization matter more than flashy packages, and how responsiveness and speed from local governments can win projects even when incentive dollars are smaller. The conversation also explores how communities can structure clearer processes, communicate timelines, and position themselves to compete more effectively for major investment. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Taylor Stepp.
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Lyndsay Wisneski, Chief Marketing Officer of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, about how storytelling and modern marketing strategies can transform economic development. Lyndsay shares how Yuma built a powerful regional brand through industry-focused mini-documentaries, digital advertising campaigns, and a coordinated content strategy that turns a single video project into years of marketing assets. She explains how even small communities can market themselves effectively by highlighting local companies, repurposing content across platforms, and tracking real marketing ROI. The conversation explores why economic development should focus less on static statistics and more on authentic stories that help companies, site selectors, and residents connect emotionally with a place. Like this show? Please leave us a review here . 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Let companies tell your story. Interviews with CEOs and business leaders are more persuasive than marketing copy. Create industry-focused content that explains why companies in each sector succeed in your region. Turn one project into many assets: long videos, short clips, photos, reports, and social media content. Use short video ads to drive viewers to longer storytelling pieces on your website or YouTube. Track website visitors and identify companies researching your region. Send periodic industry-specific newsletters highlighting local expansions, infrastructure, and investment. Use LinkedIn and targeted digital ads to stay visible to site selectors and executives. Repurpose marketing content across guides, one-pagers, websites, and presentations. Hire local creative talent who can update or expand your content over time. Apply for marketing awards to boost credibility and morale inside your organization and community. Special Guest: Lyndsay Wisneski.
