Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development Dane Carlson

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Podcast, Dane Carlson sits down with Ken Chapa, the Director of Economic Development and Tourism for the City of Avondale, Arizona, a thriving community in the Phoenix metropolitan area.


Ken Chapa shares his journey and passion for economic development, highlighting his strategic vision for Avondale. With extensive experience in the field, Ken discusses the innovative approaches he has implemented to foster growth and sustainability in Avondale. He delves into the dynamic economic landscape of the city, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning and collaboration with various stakeholders to attract and retain businesses.


Throughout the conversation, Ken addresses the unique challenges and opportunities that come with managing economic development in a fast-growing urban area. He provides insights into key projects and initiatives that have significantly contributed to Avondale's economic success, including the development of the Avondale City Center, efforts to enhance infrastructure, and the attraction of healthcare and technology companies to diversify the economic base.


Ken also explores the role of technology and data in shaping economic development strategies. He shares examples of how Avondale leverages data-driven decision-making to identify trends, optimize resources, and create a business-friendly environment.


Additionally, Ken emphasizes the significance of community engagement and partnerships in driving economic development. He highlights the importance of building strong relationships with local businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations to create a holistic approach to growth and development.


By showcasing the innovative work being done in Avondale, this episode provides valuable insights and practical strategies for economic developers and community leaders looking to drive positive change in their regions. Ken's passion for economic development and his commitment to making Avondale a thriving and sustainable community make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the field.


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Actionable Insights for Economic Developers:


Focus on Unique Strengths: Identify and leverage the unique aspects of your community to stand out. For Avondale, this included its young population and investment in amenities that cater to younger families and professionals.

Develop Mixed-Use Projects: Consider developing mixed-use projects like the Avondale City Center to create vibrant, multi-functional spaces that attract residents and businesses alike.

Invest in Parks and Recreation: Invest heavily in parks, recreation, and community spaces to enhance the quality of life for residents and make your community more attractive to newcomers.

Foster Strong Educational Partnerships: Build strong partnerships with local schools and universities to support education and workforce development, ensuring a skilled talent pool for local businesses.

Engage with the Community: Actively engage with residents to get their input on projects and initiatives. This helps build a sense of ownership and pride in the community.

Leverage Data for Decision-Making: Use data-driven decision-making to identify trends, optimize resources, and create a business-friendly environment.

Attract Diverse Industries: Diversify the economic base by attracting a variety of industries, such as healthcare and technology companies, to ensure economic stability and growth.

Improve Infrastructure and Connectivity: Work on transportation and infrastructure projects to improve connectivity and accessibility within the community, making it easier for people to live, work, and play.

Promote a Business-Friendly Environment: Create policies and initiatives that support local businesses and make your community attractive for new investments.

Manage Sustainable Growth: Focus on managing growth in a sustainable way

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Lorie Vincent, the founder of the Stand Up Rural America Summit, an innovative program aimed at empowering rural communities through economic development.


Lorie Vincent shares her journey and passion for rural economic development, spanning over 34 years and involving work with approximately 350 rural communities. She explains the inception of Stand Up Rural America, a unique summit designed to bring together rural trailblazers and change makers. Unlike traditional associations or memberships, this event is open to everyone, aiming to foster collaboration and provide actionable insights that attendees can implement in their communities immediately.


Throughout the conversation, Lorie emphasizes the importance of community and collaboration in rural economic development. She discusses her extensive experience and involvement in state associations and organizations such as IEDC and SEDC, which inspired her to create an event specifically tailored to rural America. Her goal is to share the innovative and impactful work being done in these communities, providing inspiration, tools, and strategies to drive positive change.


Lorie also highlights the importance of bringing together diverse voices and experiences to address the unique challenges faced by rural communities. By showcasing successful initiatives and offering practical solutions, Stand Up Rural America aims to elevate rural economic developers and community developers, helping them create immediate and lasting impact in their regions.


Actionable Insights for Economic Developers:


Promote Community Collaboration: Foster collaboration among local stakeholders to leverage collective resources and knowledge for economic development.
Share Success Stories: Highlight successful initiatives from other rural communities to inspire and guide local development efforts.
Provide Practical Tools: Equip community developers with practical tools and strategies that can be implemented immediately to drive economic growth.
Engage Diverse Voices: Involve a diverse range of stakeholders to ensure comprehensive and inclusive economic development planning.4
Focus on Immediate Impact: Prioritize initiatives that can deliver quick wins and immediate benefits to the community, building momentum for long-term projects.
Leverage State and National Resources: Utilize resources and support from state associations and national organizations to enhance local economic development efforts.
Encourage Innovation: Support innovative approaches and creative solutions to address the unique challenges faced by rural communities.
Facilitate Knowledge Sharing: Create platforms for knowledge sharing and networking among rural economic developers to foster continuous learning and improvement.
Empower Local Leaders: Empower local leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to drive economic development and inspire their communities.
Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in rural economic development to ensure your strategies are effective and relevant.


By championing these principles and leveraging the insights from Stand Up Rural America, rural economic developers can drive significant and sustainable growth in their communities.


Other Sponsors

🫶 The Econ Dev Show is made possible by our Econ Dev Pro members (join now) and sponsors: EDOiQ, ResearchFDI, The PACE Group, and SiteHunt. (Become a sponsor.)
Special Guest: Lorie Vincent.
Links:
Lorie Vincent, CEcD | LinkedInStand Up Rural America SummitACCELERATION by designLorie Vincent on FacebookThe Leading Ladies of Economic Development Podcast: Regionalism, Women's Empowerment, and Rural America │ Lorie Vincent, CEcDAcceleration by Design on FacebookStay In The Deep End (a lifeletter by Daron K. Roberts)Compete Every Day: The Not-So-Secret Secret to Winning Your Work and Life by Jake Thompson

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson interviewed Eric Trevan, PhD, an investor, economist, and business and the President and CEO of aLocal Solutions an AI marketing and economic analytics platform.


Their conversation dives into Eric’s extensive experience and innovative approach to economic development.


Eric shares how his career evolved from being a planning director in Southeast North Carolina to his current role, emphasizing the importance of transparency and parity in economic data. He discusses the inception of his AI platform aimed at creating equitable economic opportunities by automating and providing affordable solutions for cities of all sizes.


Throughout the discussion, Eric highlights the significance of objective and comprehensive data in decision-making, especially for local governments and economic developers who often operate with limited resources compared to large developers. He illustrates how his platform, aLocal, aggregates and analyzes vast datasets to offer predictive analytics, enabling communities to make informed decisions about economic initiatives.


The conversation also covers the evolution of aLocal from its conceptualization in 2002 to its formal establishment in 2019. Eric recounts the journey, including his academic pursuits and various leadership roles that contributed to his understanding of economic dynamics. He stresses the role of AI in leveling the playing field for smaller communities and fostering data equity, sovereignty, and diplomacy.


Eric elaborates on the platform’s capabilities, such as forecasting market demand, economic impact, and financial health at granular levels, down to zip codes. He also touches on the importance of community involvement and stake


Sponsor

Sitehunt is Dane's AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database and respond to RFIs. Request a demo.


Actionable Insights for Economic Developers


Leverage AI for Data Equity: Use AI-driven platforms to automate and provide affordable economic data solutions, ensuring all cities, regardless of size, have access to high-quality data for informed decision-making.

Focus on Transparency and Objectivity: Ensure that all economic development decisions are based on transparent and objective data, reducing bias and building trust within the community and with stakeholders.

Utilize Predictive Analytics: Employ predictive analytics to forecast market demand, economic impact, and financial health, helping to guide investment and development decisions with greater accuracy.

Conduct Comprehensive Market Analyses: Regularly perform market analyses to identify industry demands, economic leakages, and financial health at a granular level, down to specific zip codes.

Engage in Stakeholder Meetings: Actively participate in and facilitate stakeholder meetings to gather community input and ensure that development projects align with local needs and priorities.

Support Data Sovereignty: Encourage communities to take ownership of their data, allowing for more accurate and relevant local economic models and better-informed decision-making processes.

Implement Customizable Solutions: Offer customizable economic development solutions that can be tailored to the specific needs and priorities of different communities, whether they require detailed market studies or broad economic impact assessments.

Foster Collaboration Across Jurisdictions: Promote intergovernmental and inter-jurisdictional collaboration to leverage shared resources and data, maximizing the impact of economic development initiatives.

Invest in Workforce Development: Prioritize workforce development initiatives to ensure that local populations have the skills needed to support new and existing industries, fostering sustainable economic growth.

Innovate and Adapt: Stay agile and open to new technologies and methodologies in economic development, continuously seeking out innovative solution

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson interviews Greg Canfield, who currently serves as the Managing Director of Economic Development at Burr & Forman. Greg previously served 12 years as Secretary of Commerce for the state of Alabama. Their conversation covers Greg's career journey, and his take on the complexities of economic development.


Greg shares how he transitioned from local politics, serving as the president of a city council, to becoming the head of Alabama’s Department of Commerce. He highlights the importance of building strong relationships, understanding the needs of businesses, and fostering an environment conducive to economic growth. Greg emphasizes the significance of adapting to changing circumstances, especially in the context of the global pandemic, which has forced many economic developers to rethink their strategies and approaches.


The discussion also touches on the challenges Greg faced during his tenure, such as the global economic downturn, and how quick decision-making and consultation with influential figures helped him navigate these obstacles. Additionally, Greg provides insights into the future of economic development, stressing the need for resilience, digital infrastructure, and workforce development.


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Additionally: The Econ Dev Show is made possible by our Econ Dev Pro members (join now) and sponsors: join now, join now, join now, and join now. (join now.).
Special Guest: Greg Canfield.
Sponsored By:
Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.Links:
Burr & FormanGreg Canfield | LinkedInGreg Canfield | Burr & Forman LLPMade in Alabama: Alabama Department of CommerceThe ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results by Gary KellerBuffalo Hunting in Alabama: A Novel by Don Erwin

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson interviews Amber Tarrac, CEO of Founder Fuego.


The discussion centered on the mission and activities of Founder Fuego, a company dedicated to empowering Spanish-speaking and diverse entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to succeed. Amber shared insights into her transition from nearly 20 years in the public sector in economic development and workforce development to launching Founder Fuego.


The conversation highlighted Founder Fuego's innovative approach to inclusion and empowerment, focusing on their Founder Fuel newsletter, which offers weekly content with a unique Spanglish twist. This newsletter provides valuable information on funding opportunities, diverse founder stories, and essential business updates.


Amber also discussed the importance of providing bilingual resources and workshops to better serve Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs, who often feel left out of traditional economic development ecosystems. By meeting these entrepreneurs where they are, both culturally and linguistically, Founder Fuego builds trust and credibility, fostering greater engagement and participation.


Additionally, Amber emphasized the value of community and network building, leveraging social media platforms like LinkedIn to enhance visibility and connections. She shared her vision for expanding Founder Fuego's impact, starting with key regions like Miami and Southern California, and the significance of cultural inclusion in economic development.


Amber's journey and the mission of Founder Fuego underscore the critical role of inclusive support in helping diverse entrepreneurs thrive, ultimately contributing to stronger and more resilient communities.


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


Additionally: The Econ Dev Show is made possible by our Econ Dev Pro members (join now) and sponsors: join now, join now, join now, and join now. (join now.).
Special Guest: Amber Tarrac.
Sponsored By:
Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.Links:
Amber Tarrac — FounderFuegoFounderFuegoAmber Tarrac, CEcD, ACE | LinkedInFounderFuego: Overview | LinkedInFounderFuego on FacebookAmber Tarrac┃FounderFuego • InstagramJoin Us — FounderFuegoBlogs — FounderFuegoArchive — FounderFuego

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show host Dane Carlson interviewed Julianna Dodson, the Deputy Executive Director at the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship in Keene, New Hampshire, and the director of Radically Rural.


The discussion revolved around the origins and work of the Hannah Grime Center for Entrepreneurship, the national programming called Radically Rural, and their innovative approach to community development, including hosting conferences and events in unique locations to foster collaboration and innovation.


The conversation also delved into the concept of reweaving social fabric and the importance of genuine connection and communication in communities. Julianna shared her background and how she got involved in this field, highlighting the impact and opportunities for learning and engagement through the programs offered by Radically Rural.


Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!
Special Guest: Julianna Dodson.
Sponsored By:
Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.Links:
Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert PutnamBraiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall KimmererPathways to Rural Prosperity: Julianna DodsonRadically Rural on FacebookTheme & Keynote - Radically RuralHannah Grimes CenterJulianna Dodson | LinkedIn