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. DT #654 Rebuilding Better: How New Orleans Turned Disaster Into Long-Term Economic Growth

    11h ago

    DT #654 Rebuilding Better: How New Orleans Turned Disaster Into Long-Term Economic Growth

    What does it take to rebuild an economy after a disaster—and turn it into a model for long-term growth? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Michael Hecht, CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc., to explore lessons learned from leading economic recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina and 9/11. Michael shares how New Orleans approached rebuilding not just infrastructure, but its entire economic foundation—balancing urgency with long-term strategy, and recovery with reinvention. A major theme is the importance of community involvement in shaping recovery efforts. He emphasizes that post-disaster planning cannot be top-down, and that successful rebuilding requires both structure and local autonomy to respond effectively to evolving needs. The conversation also highlights how New Orleans has leveraged innovation, incentives, and workforce development to reposition itself for future growth—particularly in emerging sectors like tech and innovation. A key takeaway? Economic recovery is not just about rebuilding what was lost—it's about designing something stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient. Key Takeaways Post-disaster recovery requires both structure and local autonomy Community involvement is essential in rebuilding efforts Incentives must balance short-term recovery with long-term value Workforce development is critical to economic resilience Innovation is playing a growing role in New Orleans' economic shift Strong leadership is key to navigating complex recovery environments Key Topics Covered Post-disaster economic recovery strategies Lessons from Hurricane Katrina and 9/11 recovery efforts Community involvement in economic planning Workforce development and skills alignment Incentive design for sustainable growth Leadership approaches in crisis and recovery Sound Bites "You can't plan top down post disaster." "Create structure but give autonomy." "Stay proactive and avoid complacency."

    32 min
  2. DT #655 Building Thriving Communities: Leadership, Trust, and the Power of Regional

    11h ago

    DT #655 Building Thriving Communities: Leadership, Trust, and the Power of Regional

    What does it take to build thriving communities across an entire region? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Barb Lamue to explore her unique journey from law enforcement to economic development—and the leadership lessons she's learned along the way. Drawing from decades of experience in regional collaboration and workforce strategy, Barb shares how trust, authenticity, and long-term relationship building have helped shape successful community development efforts across Wisconsin. A major focus of the conversation is workforce development, particularly the growing importance of digital upskilling, adaptability, and preparing communities for the future of work. Barb also discusses the role mentorship and continuous learning play in developing effective leaders and resilient organizations. The discussion highlights the power of regional partnerships and public-private collaboration, showing how aligned communities can create stronger economic outcomes than isolated efforts. A key takeaway? Sustainable economic development starts with people—building trust, investing in talent, and leading with authenticity. Key Takeaways Regional collaboration is built on trust and long-term relationships Workforce development and digital skills are critical for future growth Authentic leadership strengthens community impact Mentorship and lifelong learning are essential in economic development Public-private partnerships drive stronger regional outcomes Community prosperity requires intentional collaboration and service Key Topics Covered Transition from law enforcement to economic development Regional collaboration and trust-building Workforce development and digital upskilling Leadership lessons and mentorship Community impact and innovative programs Future trends in economic development and AI Sound Bites "Act with integrity and be the best version of yourself" "Our mission is always to build prosperity for communities" "Be authentic and true to yourself in community support"

    35 min
  3. DT #652 Small Country, Big Strategy: Costa Rica's Rise in High-Value Global Investment

    Jun 10

    DT #652 Small Country, Big Strategy: Costa Rica's Rise in High-Value Global Investment

    What does it take for a small country to compete for high-value global investment in today's economy? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Pilar Madrigal of the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency to explore how Costa Rica is evolving into a strategic hub for advanced industries and foreign direct investment. From its geographic position connecting North and South America to its growing reputation in high-tech sectors, Costa Rica is positioning itself as more than a nearshoring destination—it's becoming a knowledge-driven economy focused on long-term value creation. Pilar explains how the country has successfully diversified beyond tourism into industries such as life sciences, digital health, medical technology, AI, and advanced manufacturing. This transformation is powered by a strong emphasis on talent development and education, which she describes as the foundation of Costa Rica's competitiveness. A key theme throughout the conversation is that investment decisions are shifting. Companies are no longer just prioritizing cost or proximity—they are evaluating talent availability, risk mitigation, ecosystem stability, and total operating value. The discussion also highlights the importance of trust and strategic advisory relationships in attracting and retaining global investors, as well as Costa Rica's intentional focus on building long-term partnerships rather than transactional wins. A central takeaway? Costa Rica's competitive edge lies not in scale, but in stability, talent, and a deliberate strategy to move up the value chain. Key Takeaways Costa Rica serves as a strategic bridge between North and South America The economy is shifting from tourism to high-value knowledge industries Talent development is the core driver of long-term competitiveness Nearshoring now prioritizes resilience and value over proximity alone Trust and long-term partnerships are key to investor attraction Stability and ecosystem maturity offset size limitations Investment decisions increasingly focus on total operating value Key Topics Covered Costa Rica's geographic and strategic advantages Economic diversification into high-tech and life sciences Workforce development and talent pipeline strategies Challenges of scale and cost competitiveness Role of investment promotion and advisory strategy Nearshoring and global investment trends Trust-building with international investors Sound Bites "The main hurdle is the size of the talent pool." "The future of FDI is about transformation." "A common mistake is competing only on cost."

    28 min
  4. DT #653 Leading with Vision: Why Communities Need Big, Audacious Goals

    Jun 10

    DT #653 Leading with Vision: Why Communities Need Big, Audacious Goals

    What role do big, bold visions play in shaping stronger communities and more effective leaders? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise is joined by Mark Perna to explore how optimism, storytelling, and ambitious goals can inspire innovation, community engagement, and long-term growth. Drawing inspiration from the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, the conversation examines how major rallying points can unite people around a shared purpose and create momentum for transformational change. Mark and Dennis discuss the importance of balancing realism with aspiration in leadership, emphasizing that communities need both practical strategies and compelling visions for the future. They also highlight how storytelling helps leaders connect emotionally with people and build trust around bold ideas. A major theme throughout the episode is courage—the willingness to make decisive moves, embrace uncertainty, and think beyond short-term challenges in pursuit of meaningful progress. A key takeaway? People are drawn to hope, purpose, and leaders who are willing to think bigger than the moment in front of them. Key Takeaways Optimism and vision are essential drivers of community growth Shared rallying points can unite and energize communities Storytelling strengthens leadership and public engagement Effective leaders balance realism with aspiration Courage and decisiveness are critical in driving change Long-term thinking is necessary for lasting impact Key Topics Covered Vision and optimism in leadership Apollo and transformational thinking Community engagement through storytelling Leadership habits that fuel innovation Balancing aspiration with practical action Purpose-driven leadership for future generations Sound Bites "People want hope more than anything" "What's in it for me?" "Fear of loss drives big, audacious goals"

    28 min
  5. DT #669 Smaller Business Week: Why Microbusinesses Matter

    Jun 10

    DT #669 Smaller Business Week: Why Microbusinesses Matter

    In celebration of Small Business Week, this episode of Develop This! takes a closer look at the businesses that are often small in size but powerful in impact: microbusinesses.  Friend of the show, Erik Reader brings Marci Goodwin, co-founder of SmartStart to speak with Joi Cuartero Austin for a conversation about why communities should pay closer attention to solopreneurs, makers, freelancers, consultants, pop-up vendors, home-based businesses, side hustlers, and gig workers. Together, they explore how these "smaller" businesses contribute to local economies, build community identity, create flexible income opportunities, and represent a growing part of the future workforce.  The conversation reframes Small Business Week as "Smaller Business Week", a celebration of the people who are creating their own opportunities, testing ideas, building income streams, and thinking entrepreneurially, whether or not they ever plan to open a storefront or hire a team.  This episode also challenges economic developers, Main Street leaders, chambers, and community partners to think differently about business support. As work continues to change, communities may need to better recognize that entrepreneurship is not only about business ownership, it is also about skills, adaptability, creativity, and economic self-determination.  Small Business Week is a time to celebrate local businesses, but this episode widens the lens to include the smallest businesses in our communities, the ones that may not always be visible, but are increasingly important to local economies and the future of work.

    29 min
  6. DT #650 Building Inclusive Economies: How Private Sector Lessons Drive Community Transformation

    Jun 3

    DT #650 Building Inclusive Economies: How Private Sector Lessons Drive Community Transformation

    What does it take to build economies that are truly inclusive—and built for long-term impact? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Philip Gaskin to explore his diverse career spanning the private sector, entrepreneurship, and community development—and how those experiences shape his approach to economic transformation today. Philip shares how lessons from the private sector can directly inform economic development strategy, especially when it comes to innovation, ecosystem building, and driving measurable community impact. The conversation also highlights the importance of addressing systemic barriers that limit access to capital and opportunity in underserved communities. A key focus is the role of economic developers as connectors—bridging policy, private sector insight, and community needs to build stronger, more resilient local economies.   The discussion also touches on Kansas City's evolving economic landscape and how regional ecosystems can serve as powerful models for inclusive growth and entrepreneurial support. Key Takeaways Private sector experience can strengthen economic development strategy Inclusive growth requires addressing access to capital and opportunity gaps Economic developers play a key role in policy and collaboration Strong ecosystems drive innovation and community transformation Kansas City offers a model for regional economic growth Continuous transformation is essential for long-term impact Key Topics Covered Private sector lessons for economic development Community and economic transformation Inclusive entrepreneurship and access to capital Role of economic developers in policy and collaboration Kansas City's ecosystem and growth model Sound Bites "Crazy times call for crazy organizations" "Communities need to embrace their potential" "Continual work on transforming communities"

    21 min
  7. DT #651 Lithuania Rising: How a Small Nation Became a Global Hub for FinTech and Innovation

    Jun 3

    DT #651 Lithuania Rising: How a Small Nation Became a Global Hub for FinTech and Innovation

    How did Lithuania transform itself into one of Europe's fastest-rising investment and innovation hubs? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Rūta Kriščiūnaitė from Invest Lithuania to explore the country's remarkable economic evolution and growing global influence. From FinTech and global business services to defense and data centers, Lithuania has positioned itself as a competitive destination for high-value investment. Ruta explains how the country's strategic location, modern infrastructure, and business-friendly environment continue to attract international companies and talent. A major focus of the conversation is workforce development. Lithuania's emphasis on upskilling, talent attraction, and strong collaboration between government, education, and industry has helped fuel growth across emerging sectors. The discussion also dives into Lithuania's rise as a FinTech powerhouse, supported by forward-thinking regulation and licensing frameworks that helped the country become one of the EU's leading FinTech ecosystems. Energy independence and renewable energy investments are also reshaping the country's long-term strategy, while defense manufacturing and innovation are emerging as major priorities in response to shifting geopolitical realities. A key takeaway? Lithuania's success comes from its willingness to evolve, test new industries, and invest strategically in future growth sectors. Key Takeaways Lithuania has become a major hub for FinTech, business services, and innovation Workforce upskilling and talent attraction are central to growth strategy Strategic regulation helped accelerate FinTech development Renewable energy and energy independence are key priorities Defense is becoming an increasingly important strategic industry Long-term growth depends on continuously testing and developing new sectors Key Topics Covered Lithuania's geographic and infrastructure advantages The role of Invest Lithuania in economic development Workforce development and talent strategies FinTech growth and regulatory innovation Renewable energy and energy independence Defense industry investments and future sectors Sound Bites "Defense is the new strategic industry for Lithuania." "Lithuania signed a deal to purchase 44 Leopard tanks." "Testing new industries is crucial for future growth."

    30 min
  8. DT #648 Why Hungary Wins: Inside Europe's Fastest-Evolving Investment Destination

    May 27

    DT #648 Why Hungary Wins: Inside Europe's Fastest-Evolving Investment Destination

    What makes a country stand out in the global race for investment? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Fadi Shadeh of the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency to explore why Hungary has become one of Central Europe's most dynamic investment destinations. From its strategic location at the heart of Europe to its deep integration into the EU single market, Hungary offers companies access to major markets, efficient logistics, and strong infrastructure. Fadi explains how the country's positioning enables fast access across Europe while supporting complex global supply chains. The conversation dives into Hungary's economic transformation, particularly its shift toward higher-value industries like electromobility, battery manufacturing, business services, and R&D. While manufacturing remains a strong base, the country is rapidly expanding its role in advanced services and innovation-driven sectors. A major focus is workforce development. With a strong university network and a dual education system that connects students directly with industry, Hungary is building a talent pipeline designed to meet modern business needs—often producing job-ready graduates aligned with employer demand. Fadi also breaks down how the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency operates as a "one-stop shop" for investors—helping companies navigate location decisions, incentives, site visits, and long-term expansion strategies. Key Takeaways Hungary's central location provides strong access to European and global markets The economy is shifting toward electromobility, batteries, and business services Talent development is supported through a strong university system and dual education model The Investment Promotion Agency acts as a one-stop shop for investors Regional cities are becoming key drivers of future growth Investment success depends on talent, infrastructure, and long-term trust Key Topics Covered Hungary's geographic and strategic advantages Economic transformation and industry mix

    31 min
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4.3
out of 5
48 Ratings

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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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