the Local Economy Labs

Vishal Kalia
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Business

The Local Economy Labs is a practitioner-focused podcast for Economic Development leaders and small business owners. Real conversations about what worked, what didn’t, where local systems break down, and how cities can use smarter processes and AI to better support small businesses. This isn’t a policy podcast. It’s a lab. We examine: Real experiments cities and businesses have triedWhat should have worked...but didn’tWhere processes, incentives, and assumptions break downPractical changes ED teams can test without new budgets or major policy shifts We also explore how AI and automation can reduce administrative burden inside local government freeing teams to focus more on impact and less on paperwork. The goal is simple: To create a feedback loop between Main Street and City Hall and turn lived experience into better economic development decisions.

  1. 3d ago

    America's Energy Future: Grid Modernization, AI, Wildfires & Affordable Electricity | Fatima Ahmad

    Can America deliver cheap, abundant, and clean electricity while keeping up with the growing energy demands of AI, data centers, and an increasingly electrified economy? In this episode, we sit down with Fatima Ahmad, Founder & CEO of AI for Energy and energy policy expert, to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping America's energy future. Fatima authored the chapter "Cheap, Abundant, and Clean American Energy for All" for the SEEC Institute's Thriving Economy Project, with Rep. Mike Levin serving as the congressional lead. Together, we break down complex energy issues into practical insights for business leaders, policymakers, utility executives, and economic development professionals. What You'll Learn in This Episode The Thriving Economy Project: What it is, why it matters, and its vision for America's economic future.Modernizing America's Electric Grid: Why grid modernization is essential and what's holding us back.Wildfires & Utility Risks: Why one catastrophic wildfire could push a utility company toward bankruptcy.Solar Power 101: Understanding solar energy and electricity distribution through a simple highway analogy.AI & Data Center Energy Demand: How growing electricity needs are reshaping infrastructure planning and economic development.The Three Biggest Energy Challenges: What's preventing America from having cheaper, cleaner, and more abundant electricity?The 2026 Economic Action Plan: Key priorities for strengthening America's energy economy.How You Can Get Involved: Ways businesses, communities, and policymakers can help shape the future of American energy.Why This Conversation Matters Energy is no longer just a utility issue. It's an economic development issue. From attracting new businesses and supporting manufacturing to powering AI infrastructure and keeping electricity affordable for households, energy availability and reliability will play a critical role in America's economic competitiveness. Whether you're a City Manager, economic development professional, utility leader, policymaker, or business owner, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on the decisions shaping our energy future. Resources: SEEC Institute – Thriving Economy Project: https://www.seecinstitute.org/thriving-economy-project https://seec.house.gov/members https://levin.house.gov/about https://www.aiforenergy.tech/

  2. Aug 12

    Wind Project: What it takes to make it happen (Conception to Birth) | Hilary Clark

    Ever wondered what it takes for a Wind Project to come to life? Here is your chance to learn about it. In this episode, we have the pleasure to talk with Hilary Clark, With 20 years of experience in land use and environmental planning, siting and permitting, and stakeholder engagement, she has supported organizations in navigating complex environments. In this episode she deep dives into: Social Licensing - What does it mean?How to best communicate with local communities about renewable energy projects?How big renewable energy projects brings economic benefits to communityWind Project - Lets walk thru what it takes from conception to birth?Challenges - bringing solar projects to life?Lightning roundOne renewable energy myth you would like to debunk?Policy: What developers should understand to make sure things go the right way.One piece of advice for future leaders in energy?And many nuggets along the way.

  3. Jul 28

    What If Students Could Test-Drive Their Future Career? | Renay Mehta VP Chino Valley Chamber

    Renay Mehta, VP at the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce, shares some incredible insights in this episode. Renay is a community and economic development leader who has a passion for turning big ideas into measurable results for businesses, job seekers, and communities. In this conversation, we dive into: The Chamber's four core workforce development programs and how they came to lifeHow the Second Chance program is transforming lives and creating new career opportunitiesHow the Chamber is helping local businesses understand and adopt AI through education and trainingIs today's workforce shortage really a talent shortage—or a skills mismatch?Has workforce development become more important than tax incentives when it comes to attracting and retaining businesses?How students gain real-world work experience before choosing a career path...and plenty of other valuable insights along the way. If you're involved in workforce development, economic development, education, or simply curious about the future of work, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

  4. Jul 1

    The 3M Storytelling Framework for Local Government Leaders for Social Brand Build - Loreta Tarozaite

    If you are the Local hashtag#Government leader who wants to build their brand on social via video but are unsure how to do it .... this episode is for YOU 🫵 I had the pleasure to speak with Loreta Tarozaite, who shares her two decades of experience about story telling and brand building via video. ____ 👉 In this podcast session, you will learn about: - Building your personal brand through LinkedIn videos and using video to connect with residents and voters - The 3M Storytelling Framework for creating compelling videos (own your space, communicate with clarity, energy, and authority, etc.) - Non-verbal elements of effective visual storytelling (eye contact, body language, hand gestures, etc.) - How to overcome the fear of being on camera - Where to find content ideas for your videos - Common mistakes to avoid when creating videos - How to feature guests in your videos to increase engagement and many more ear nuggets along the way.

  5. Jun 16

    Connie Stopher (CEO): Are U.S. Policies & Tarrifs Pushing Global Companies Away?

    I had the pleasure to speak with Connie Stopher, CEcD, FDIP, CEO at Southern California Wine Country EDC and absolutely loved the conversation. In this episode, ya'll will earn from Connie Stopher, CEcD, FDIP about: - The Economic Development Secret Most Cities Can't Do Alone - Are U.S. Policies Pushing Global Companies Away? - What It Really Takes to Land an International Company - The Data Center Gold Rush: Boom or Bust? - Why CEOs Care More About Quality of Life Than Tax Incentives - California: Still the Best Place for Global Business? - How Regions Compete for Billion-Dollar Investments If any international companies want to open their branch or relocate in So Cal, this is the episode for you and Connie is the person to connect with.

  6. Jun 3

    How City of Tempe AZ is Building a Robust Startup Ecosystem | Lisa Hausz & Parrish Spisz

    Lisa Hausz, MBA, PMP® is the Economic Development Program Manager at City of Tempe Economic Development dept. and Parrish Spisz is the Assistant of Vice Mayor and 2nd VP of NLC at City of Tempe One of the key focus of the City of Tempe's ED departments is to create a supporting and nurturing environment for #Entrepreneurship in the valley via partnerships. In this #podcast, they talk about: 👉 The four key areas of economic development they focus on: → → Investment, development, and redevelopment of city projects → → Business retention and expansion, as well as workforce development Innovation and entrepreneurship support → → Policy, procedures, land use, and rezoning initiatives → → Marketing, strategic planning, and administrative functions 👉 How partnerships are being used to foster entrepreneurship and support local businesses 👉 The launch of Think Tempe and its role in attracting investment, businesses, and talent 👉 An insightful discussion on a key question: What part of economic development work is most misunderstood, yet has the greatest impact on a community's success? and bunch of ear nuggets along the way :-)

  7. May 26

    Town of Addison TX's innovative Amenity Grant Initiative to Boost Property Tax Revenue

    Wayne Emerson, EDFP Director of Economic Development is the creative genius behind idea to start Amenity Grant for Addison, Texas. We had the pleasure to speak and learn from Wayne and Marc Grossfeld, CFA Managing Partner at Sunwest Real Estate Group about their collaboration to improve commercial real estate buildings and sustain/bring more businesses to the town to increase/retain their property tax revenue. And guess what ... its working wonders In this #podcast, they talk about: What is unique about AddisonPopulation vs. businesses; Commercial Real EstateTaxable income being major revenue source for the cityAmenity Grant programWhat is itAmount allocated How do you distribute it and select recipients Partnership with Sunwest Real Estate GroupKPIs: Measuring program success?Do's and Don'ts for leasing a commercial space - Mistakes to avoid and bunch of ear nuggets along the way.

  8. May 20

    Steven Jenkins (Idaho Power): Trade Free Zones, how can they be competitive advantage

    Steven Jenkins is the Economic and Community Development Advisor at Idaho Power. Previously, he served as Economic Development Director at City of Caldwell ID. In this episode, we dive into: Power & data centers: what pre-engineering assessments are and how utilities evaluate projectsIdaho’s power boom — Meta, Micron, and the wave of large-scale developmentsHow Idaho Power evaluates and prioritizes upcoming projectsUnderstanding how utility companies actually operate behind the scenesWhat cities can do to prepare sites and involve communities before major projects arriveForeign Trade Zones: what they are and how they can become a competitive advantage for cities A fascinating conversation for city leaders, utilities, economic development teams, and anyone thinking about the future of infrastructure and growth.

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5
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About

The Local Economy Labs is a practitioner-focused podcast for Economic Development leaders and small business owners. Real conversations about what worked, what didn’t, where local systems break down, and how cities can use smarter processes and AI to better support small businesses. This isn’t a policy podcast. It’s a lab. We examine: Real experiments cities and businesses have triedWhat should have worked...but didn’tWhere processes, incentives, and assumptions break downPractical changes ED teams can test without new budgets or major policy shifts We also explore how AI and automation can reduce administrative burden inside local government freeing teams to focus more on impact and less on paperwork. The goal is simple: To create a feedback loop between Main Street and City Hall and turn lived experience into better economic development decisions.

Information

  • Creator
    Vishal Kalia
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Vishal Kalia
  • Show Website
    the Local Economy Labs