Develop This: Economic and Community Development

Develop This! Podcast

Explore topics related to transformational community leadership including economic development, non-profit engagement, organizational management, and policy development. It's a candid conversation with veterans of the economic development profession along with inspiring interviews of today's thought leaders.

  1. 19 HR AGO

    DT #633 From Capital to Community: How CDFIs Drive Inclusive Growth

    In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise sits down with Amber Banks, President and CEO of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs, to explore the transformative role of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in advancing equitable economic development. Amber shares how black-led CDFIs are uniquely positioned to build trust, expand capital access, and drive meaningful impact in underserved communities—while also addressing the persistent challenges these institutions face in scaling and sustainability. From the importance of certification and capital access to the power of culturally competent leadership, this conversation highlights why investing in black-led CDFIs isn't just equitable—it's essential for stronger, more resilient local economies. If you're an economic developer looking to deepen community impact, strengthen partnerships, or better understand the future of inclusive finance, this episode delivers actionable insights you can apply today. Key Takeaways CDFIs are critical infrastructure for underserved communities, filling financing gaps traditional institutions often overlook Black-led CDFIs face systemic capital barriers, limiting their ability to scale impact Trust and cultural competency are core to successful community finance strategies Certification matters—it signals credibility and unlocks funding opportunities Investing in black-led institutions strengthens entire regional economies Episode Highlights The evolving role of CDFIs in modern economic development Understanding the capital asset gap and its implications Navigating tools like New Market Tax Credits Building institutional capacity for long-term sustainability The role of philanthropy and partnerships in scaling impact Leadership lessons from growing a national alliance Memorable Sound Bites "Without capital, impact is limited." "Certification signals investability." "Empathy shapes effective leadership."

    35 min

  2. 19 HR AGO

    DT #634 Keep What You Grow: Smarter Business Retention Strategies

    In this episode of Develop This!, Joi Cuartero Austin sits down with Eric Reader to explore one of the most overlooked—but most impactful—strategies in economic development: business retention. While recruitment often grabs headlines, Eric makes the case that real, sustainable community growth happens by supporting the businesses you already have. Through proactive relationship-building, early intervention, and consistent communication, local leaders can help small businesses not just survive—but thrive. This episode dives into practical, easy-to-implement strategies, from using simple tracking tools and AI to identifying early warning signs of distress. Eric also emphasizes the importance of celebrating small wins to build momentum and strengthen trust within the local business community. If you're looking to maximize your impact with limited time and resources, this conversation provides a clear roadmap for building a stronger, more resilient local economy—one relationship at a time. Key Takeaways Retention drives long-term growth more effectively than constant recruitment Proactive relationship-building is essential to understanding business needs Early intervention prevents closures and strengthens local economies Simple tools (like spreadsheets and AI) can dramatically improve tracking and insights Celebrating small wins builds trust and momentum within the business community Episode Highlights Why retention should be the foundation of any economic development strategy How to structure meaningful, ongoing conversations with business owners Recognizing early warning signs before businesses reach crisis point Practical ways to track business engagement and identify trends Leveraging technology to streamline retention efforts Busting common myths about business retention Strategies for maximizing impact with limited staff and time Memorable Sound Bites "Retention is where the real work is." "Ask about what's getting in the way." "Track your conversations and trends."

    38 min

  3. 25 MAR

    DT #632 Rally Your Region: A New Playbook for Economic Development

    In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise sits down with Mark Perna to explore "Rally Your Region," a powerful new initiative developed in partnership with the International Economic Development Council. Designed to help communities break through silos, build consensus, and take real action, Rally Your Region provides a structured, customizable framework to align stakeholders around a shared vision for economic and workforce success. If your region struggles to align education, employers, and community leaders, this episode offers a clear path forward. What You'll Learn The Concept Behind Rally Your Region Why regions need a central rally point to move forward How alignment drives measurable economic outcomes What makes this initiative different from traditional planning efforts Why Regional Collaboration Is So Hard Competing priorities across organizations Lack of shared goals and accountability The challenge of moving from discussion to action Building True Consensus How to create buy-in across sectors The importance of a shared "why" Turning agreement into execution Connecting Education and Workforce Why the education-to-employment pipeline is often broken How to better align: K-12 systems Higher education Employers Why mindset matters: "Young people are not a problem to be solved." The Power of a Rally Point At the core of the initiative is a simple but powerful idea: Create a rally point where everyone buys in A shared vision A common language A coordinated strategy Without it, regions remain fragmented. With it, they can move forward together. Actionable Steps for Your Community Identify key regional stakeholders Establish a neutral, trusted convening space Define shared priorities and goals Customize the Rally Your Region framework to fit your community Focus on implementation—not just planning Key Insights ✔ The world of work has fundamentally changed ✔ Alignment is now more important than ever ✔ Collaboration must lead to clear action steps ✔ Workforce development is a regional challenge ✔ Flexibility and customization are critical for success Memorable Sound Bites "Creating a rally point where everyone buys in." "The world has completely changed." "Young people are not a problem to be solved."

    28 min

  4. 25 MAR

    Develop This! #631 Promise Programs: A Game-Changer for Workforce Development

    Episode Summary In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise is joined by Katie Davenport and Rick Kiernan from Convergent Nonprofit Solutions to explore how Promise programs are reshaping workforce development and community growth. From nationally recognized models like the Kalamazoo Promise to emerging initiatives like the Greenwood Promise, these programs are creating long-term talent pipelines, expanding access to education, and driving economic competitiveness. If your community is looking for a proven strategy to attract talent, support students, and grow your economy, this episode delivers both inspiration and a roadmap. What You'll Learn Promise Programs as an Economic Development Strategy Why investing in students is investing in your workforce How Promise programs help attract and retain talent The connection between education access and economic growth Real-World Impact How the Kalamazoo Promise transformed a community The emotional and economic impact of the Greenwood Promise Why do these programs create multi-generational change How Promise Programs Work Scholarship structures and eligibility models Public-private funding strategies The role of philanthropy and community leadership Key insight: "Impact is proven and benefits are clear." The Role of Economic Development Organizations Convening partners across sectors Aligning education with workforce needs Leading long-term, sustainable initiatives Building a Successful Program Key ingredients: Strong community buy-in Clear, simple messaging Cross-sector partnerships Long-term funding strategy "There's no sense in recreating the wheel." Beyond Tuition: What Students Really Need Promise programs succeed when they go beyond funding: Transportation Social skills Mentorship and support systems "Transportation and social skills are critical." Getting Started in Your Community Learn from existing models like Kalamazoo Promise Engage key stakeholders early Build a coalition of funders and champions Focus on sustainability from day one

    38 min

  5. 16 MAR

    DT #630 The Succession Crisis No One Is Talking About in Economic Development

    Across America, thousands of business owners are quietly approaching retirement — and many have no succession plan in place. For communities, that represents a major economic risk: lost jobs, closed storefronts, and the potential loss of locally rooted businesses. In this episode of Develop This!, host Dennis Fraise sits down with Mark Piekos, Executive Director of the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, to explore how communities can turn the coming wave of business transitions into an economic development opportunity. Mark shares insights from Strong Transitions, an innovative program helping business owners prepare for exit while connecting them with the next generation of entrepreneurs. The initiative provides advisory support, builds a network of professional experts, and helps communities retain businesses through local ownership and thoughtful succession planning. Mark brings a unique perspective to the role. A lifelong resident of McHenry County and former small business owner, he also previously led the Illinois Small Business Development Center at McHenry County College, giving him firsthand experience helping entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses. Together, Dennis and Mark discuss why succession planning is often overlooked, the risks communities face if they ignore it, and how economic developers can build programs that protect local businesses, preserve jobs, and strengthen their economic base. If your community wants to retain businesses, build entrepreneurship pipelines, and prepare for the coming transition wave, this conversation is a must-listen. Key Topics Covered Why 73% of privately held businesses are expected to transition in the next decade The economic development risks of unplanned business exits How the Strong Transitions program connects business owners and successors The role of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Why succession planning should be a core business retention strategy Building an advisor bench to support business transitions Marketing strategies to reach business owners who rarely talk about exit plans How communities can start their own succession planning initiatives Memorable Quotes "Succession planning is one of the biggest economic development issues that no one is talking about."

    37 min

  6. 16 MAR

    DT #629 People First: Rethinking Economic Development for Stronger Communities

    People First: Rethinking Economic Development with Maggie Strong Economic development has long focused on transactions—deals, incentives, and projects. But the communities thriving today are doing something different: they're putting people at the center of the strategy. In this episode of the Develop This! Podcast, host Dennis Fraise sits down with Maggie Strong, founder of Strong Consulting, to explore how authentic community engagement can unlock stronger, more sustainable economic growth. With nearly two decades of experience in economic development strategy, marketing, and community visioning, Maggie shares practical insights from her work helping rural and small-town communities build momentum through relationships, trust, and shared ownership of local initiatives. The conversation dives into the shift from traditional top-down planning to people-centered development, why many engagement efforts fail, and how leaders can build genuine community buy-in that turns plans into movements. You'll also hear lessons from a revitalization effort in Quincy, Illinois, where authentic engagement helped transform a corridor revitalization effort into a community-driven success story. If you're an economic developer looking to move beyond check-the-box engagement and create lasting impact, this episode offers practical ideas you can put to work right away. Key Topics Covered The shift from transactional to people-centered economic development Why trust and relationships are critical infrastructure for community growth The difference between authentic engagement and transactional engagement Practical ways to overcome public meeting fatigue How community buy-in turns plans into real momentum Lessons from downtown corridor revitalization in Quincy, Illinois Key Frameworks Discussed People-Centered Development A strategy that prioritizes relationships, shared ownership, and inclusive participation to create sustainable growth. Trust-Based Community Engagement Building authentic relationships that allow communities to move from planning to action. Practical Takeaways for Economic Developers ✔ Have three genuine conversations with community members in the next 30 days. ✔ Share back what you heard using visual summaries or simple storytelling. ✔ Identify community champions who can sustain momentum beyond the planning process. ✔ Focus less on meetings and more on meaningful interactions. Memorable Sound Bites "Trust is the foundation of community growth."

    31 min

  7. 11 MAR

    DT #627 The Future of Grants: AI, Federal Changes, and New Funding Strategies for Economic Developers

    The grant landscape is shifting quickly — and economic developers need to be ready. In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise sits down with Adrian Spencer, founder of Grant Guru, to explore what's ahead for grants, funding, and economic development in 2026. Federal policy changes are reshaping funding opportunities, including a shift away from centralized systems like Grants.gov toward department-specific platforms. At the same time, economic developers are facing increased pressure to secure funding with fewer resources. Adrian shares how communities can adapt by diversifying funding sources, strengthening partnerships, and embracing new tools like AI while maintaining strong oversight and strategy. The conversation also explores emerging trends, including state-level grant initiatives, community collaboration, and the growing role of faith-based organizations in addressing economic and social challenges. Finally, Dennis and Adrian discuss why impact assessment is becoming essential for winning grants and how economic developers can better demonstrate the value of their projects to funders. If your community relies on grants to fund growth, infrastructure, or workforce initiatives, this episode offers practical insight into how to stay competitive in the evolving funding landscape. Download our free White Paper here (by providing a name/email): https://pages.grantguru.com/state-of-play-us-2025 Mention that you heard about GrantGuru on Develop This! and receive a 20% discount Key Topics Covered How federal policy changes are reshaping the grant landscape The shift from Grants.gov to department-specific funding platforms Why state governments may expand funding programs Strategies for diversifying funding sources The growing importance of community collaboration in grant applications How faith-based organizations are becoming key partners in community development The opportunities created by former federal employees re-entering the workforce How AI is changing grant research and development Why impact measurement is critical for securing future funding Sound Bites "Grants.gov is becoming less reliable." "States are going to step up their grant game." "AI is already transforming grant development." "Grant seeking should be a community effort." "Funders want proof of impact, not just good ideas."

    37 min

  8. 11 MAR

    DT #628 Trust, Transparency, and Tough Decisions: Ethics in Economic Development

    Ethics is the invisible foundation of successful economic development. In this episode of Develop This!, we explore why professional integrity is essential to building trust, guiding difficult decisions, and sustaining long-term community growth. Dennis Fraise interviews Jim Fram, a longtime educator and leader in economic development ethics, about how ethical standards have evolved in the profession—and why they matter more than ever in today's complex environment. From navigating gray areas in deal-making to understanding the role of formal codes of ethics and professional accountability, Jim shares insights from decades of experience teaching and mentoring economic development professionals. The conversation also looks forward, examining how emerging challenges—including AI, increasing deal complexity, and growing public scrutiny—are shaping the future of ethical leadership in the field. Whether you're new to economic development or a seasoned practitioner, this episode offers practical guidance on maintaining integrity while advancing your community's goals. In This Episode Why ethics serves as the backbone of economic development The evolution of ethical standards in the profession Why a formal code of ethics and ongoing training are critical Common ethical gray areas practitioners encounter The impact of new technologies like AI on ethical decision-making Real-world consequences when ethical standards are violated How professionals and organizations can rebuild trust after mistakes Memorable Sound Bites "Do what's right, even when it's hard." "Violations can destroy community trust." "Case studies reveal the gray areas where ethics really matter."

    24 min
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Explore topics related to transformational community leadership including economic development, non-profit engagement, organizational management, and policy development. It's a candid conversation with veterans of the economic development profession along with inspiring interviews of today's thought leaders.

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