Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development

Dane Carlson
  • 4.8 (15)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 6D AGO

    Site Selectors Often Experience Your City First as Visitors with Tulsa's Renee McKenney

    In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Renee McKenney, Senior Vice President of Tourism for the Tulsa Regional Chamber and President of Tulsa Regional Tourism. Renee shares how Tulsa has leveraged its unique history, Route 66 heritage, and creative culture to attract visitors, residents, and businesses. From hosting major sporting events and revitalizing Black Wall Street to promoting film, music, and culinary scenes, Tulsa is redefining itself as a vibrant destination. Renee also explains how integrating tourism with economic development under the chamber umbrella creates a powerful synergy that fuels placemaking, business attraction, and civic pride Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Integrate tourism and economic development--site selectors often experience your city first as visitors. Identify and elevate authentic community assets (history, culture, sports, etc.). Lean into storytelling; narratives like Route 66 or Black Wall Street resonate nationally. Invest in placemaking that surprises and delights both locals and visitors. Use large-scale events (sports, festivals, shows) as business attraction opportunities. Partner with creative industries (film, music, arts) to build brand identity. Capitalize on civic pride to mobilize communities around unique initiatives. Focus on accessibility and vibe because livability drives both talent and business attraction. Treat tourism as "importing money and exporting experiences." Always be ready for your "prime time": community investments build toward big moments like centennials, championships, or global events. Special Guest: Renee McKenney.

    26 min

  2. AUG 25

    Changing Perceptions of Baltimore with Lakey Boyd

    In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Lakey Boyd, Chief Economic Officer at the Greater Baltimore Committee, to explore the unique strengths and opportunities of the Baltimore region. From its historical assets and waterfront livability to the challenges of shifting national perceptions, Lakey shares insights on regional collaboration, economic drivers, and how Greater Baltimore is positioning itself for future growth. (Sorry about my audio quality. Don't worry: Lakey's is great.) Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Always frame your community as part of a region — economies rarely stop at city borders. Address negative perceptions head-on with facts, data, and compelling stories. Highlight unique local assets (e.g., universities, hospitals, waterfronts) as differentiators. Showcase livability alongside business opportunities to attract both companies and talent. Balance historical identity with forward-looking strategies. Leverage anchor institutions like universities and hospitals to drive innovation and growth. Collaborate across counties and municipalities to present a united economic front. Market regional resilience — especially in industries that thrive locally. Invest in workforce pipelines that connect local talent with growing industries. Don’t let outsiders define your community’s brand — own your narrative. Special Guest: Lakey Boyd.

    27 min

  3. AUG 18

    The Power of Collaboration in Economic Development with Stacie LoVan of the Greater Des Moines Partnership

    In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson talks with Stacie LoVan, Senior Vice President of Economic Development at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, about the transformative power of collaboration in economic development. Stacie shares how Greater Des Moines has built a culture of regional cooperation, implemented workforce and quality-of-life initiatives, and set bold goals for 2025. Their conversation highlights best practices that other communities can adopt, from aligning diverse stakeholders to creating momentum through shared vision. Whether you’re a veteran practitioner or new to the field, this episode offers actionable strategies for strengthening your own community through collaboration. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! 10 Actionable Takeaways For Economic Developers Prioritize collaboration over competition: regional growth accelerates when communities work together instead of against one another. Define a clear, shared vision: goals like Greater Des Moines' 2025 plan keep stakeholders aligned and motivated. Leverage workforce initiatives as anchors: workforce preparedness is often the deciding factor for business attraction and retention. Balance quality-of-life improvements with economic strategies: housing, amenities, and placemaking are as critical as incentives. Build a culture of trust among partners: successful collaboration depends on consistent communication and reliability. Celebrate small wins: incremental progress builds credibility and keeps stakeholders engaged in long-term efforts. Engage the private sector early: businesses can provide funding, advocacy, and momentum for regional initiatives. Invest in regional branding: a unified message makes a region more competitive nationally and globally. Be adaptable to change: collaboration requires flexibility when balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders. Apply DSM's model to your community: while every region is unique, the principles of shared vision, trust, and collaboration can be replicated anywhere. Special Guest: Stacie Lovan.

    24 min

  4. AUG 11

    How Local Governments Can Power Startups with John Lynn

    In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with John Lynn, co-founder and managing partner of Quay Acceleration, to explore how public-sector-backed accelerators are reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape. They discuss the shift from private, investor-focused models to community-centered programs funded by economic development organizations, the unique benefits these accelerators provide to entrepreneurs, and how communities can measure success beyond ROI. John shares real-world examples, including a retail storefront accelerator in Manhattan, insights into evolving capital markets, and his vision for the future of entrepreneurship in an ever-changing economy. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! Ten actionable takeaways for economic developers Define success metrics for accelerators that align with community priorities, not just investor ROI. Focus on retention of high-revenue companies as a key measure of long-term impact. Pair accelerator participants with experienced mentors from relevant industries. Use accelerators to address specific local economic challenges, such as high retail vacancy rates. Integrate accelerators into broader multi-tiered economic development strategies. Ensure program content is field-informed and reflects the latest industry practices. Leverage public visibility to attract community engagement and media coverage. Conduct feasibility studies before launching to ensure sustainability and fit. Expand success metrics to include job creation, revenue generation, and brand recognition. Build relationships with global networks to bring investment and expertise into local programs. Special Guest: John Lynn.

    29 min

  5. JUL 28

    The Colorblind Tulip Farmer: Revolutionizing Rural Economic Development with Andrew Miller

    In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson interviews Andrew Miller, a multi-faceted leader who serves as CEO of both the United Way of Skagit County and Tulip Valley Farms, as well as commissioner at Skagit PUD. Miller shares his unique journey from working at major tech companies like Amazon to returning home to Skagit County as an economic developer, only to eventually become the entrepreneur he had been encouraging others to be. The conversation explores the challenges economic developers face when advocating for entrepreneurship and innovation, the resistance to change in established systems, and Miller's decision to "walk the walk" by purchasing a farm business when others wouldn't take the leap. Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Look for gaps in existing industries where innovation can create new business models (like adding U-pick to traditional tulip festivals) Study successful elements from adjacent industries and adapt them to your community's assets Create bridges between urban and rural communities through experiential tourism Focus on finding and selling what's remarkable about your community to people willing to pay for it Combine unexpected elements (like Scottish Highland cows with tulips) to create unique attractions Make agriculture and rural life accessible to urban neighbors who lack farming connections Consider compound risks when developing agritourism ventures (weather for growing AND weather for visitors) Use personal availability and storytelling to create authentic connections with visitors Help passionate people in your community turn their interests into viable businesses Remember that credentials matter less than passion and willingness to learn in entrepreneurship Special Guest: Andrew Miller.

    23 min

  6. JUL 21

    Small-Scale Manufacturing as Community Development Strategy with Ilana Preuss

    In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson welcomes back Ilana Preuss, founder and CEO of Recast City, for a follow-up conversation four years after her initial appearance on the show. Preuss shares insights on how economic development has evolved and discusses her methodology for helping communities identify and support small-scale manufacturing businesses. The conversation explores how economic developers can create meaningful change with relatively modest investments by focusing on local assets, engaging directly with community members and business owners, and implementing targeted strategies that respond to actual community needs rather than pursuing expensive business recruitment projects. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Engage directly with small-scale manufacturing business owners to understand their specific needs and challenges before creating programs. Focus on modest, targeted investments ($10K-$20K) rather than expensive business recruitment projects that may not address community needs. Identify and leverage existing local assets and manufacturing businesses already present in your community. Meet with property owners to understand real estate availability and constraints for small manufacturing businesses. Analyze community feedback to prioritize actions that will create the biggest impact based on local goals and beneficiaries. Create short-term wins that build momentum toward longer-term, more complex development projects. Thread the line between community assets, needs, and goals to develop effective priority strategies. Focus on de-risking economic development investments by ensuring projects respond to actual community needs. Build "sticky" communities by creating places where interesting commercial activity takes place and people want to be. Use systematic methods to gather information from stakeholders and translate that into actionable development strategies. Special Guest: Ilana Preuss.

    31 min

  7. JUL 14

    Engineering Economic Success: A Systems Approach to Development with Jason El Koubi

    In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Jason El Koubi, President and CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, to explore the intersection of analytical thinking and economic development leadership. Jason discusses how his engineering background shapes his systems-thinking approach to economic development, the value of hiring talent from competitive states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Ohio, and the importance of continuous learning in the profession. He emphasizes the critical role of passion, ethics, and effective communication in economic development work, while sharing insights from his recent 360-degree evaluation and his commitment to ensuring positive economic growth across all regions of Virginia. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Jason El Koubi.

    35 min

  8. JUL 7

    Beyond the Strip: Clark County's Economic Transformation with Shani Coleman

    In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson speaks with Shani Coleman, Director of Community and Economic Development for Clark County, Nevada, about the economic transformation happening beyond the famous Las Vegas Strip. Coleman shares insights into how professional sports teams, including the Raiders, Golden Knights, and upcoming MLB team, are driving a new sports innovation economy. She discusses the county's five-year-old economic development department, their focus on small business support, the challenges of federal land ownership, and how California's regulatory environment is driving business migration to Nevada. The conversation covers everything from hotel rooms of the future at Harry Reid Tech Park to plans for advanced manufacturing in areas near the proposed second airport. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Lean into your existing assets - Don't shy away from what makes your community unique; figure out how to leverage those assets for economic development advantage. Build comprehensive small business support programs - Create virtual platforms and technical assistance programs that help small businesses understand public contracting opportunities and build resilience. Develop specialized innovation districts - Designate physical locations with boots-on-the-ground support to create environments where entrepreneurs and innovative businesses can thrive. Create business-friendly digital tools - Develop project estimators and online resources that help businesses understand licensing, permitting, and operational costs upfront. Focus on business retention and expansion - Don't just recruit new businesses; actively support existing businesses in growing and hiring more employees. Build venture capital ecosystems - Work with organizations that support both entrepreneurs seeking funding and individuals wanting to become venture capitalists. Capitalize on proximity advantages - Use geographic location and transportation access as selling points for logistics and distribution opportunities. Plan for future land development - Engage in master planning activities even when land ownership is complicated to be ready when opportunities arise. Diversify beyond traditional industries - Look for ways emerging sectors (like sports innovation) can create new economic opportunities in your community. Network strategically and tell your story - Use podcasts, conferences, and digital platforms to communicate your community's business opportunities to site selectors and potential investors. Special Guest: Shani Coleman.

    27 min
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About

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.

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