Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development
by Dane Carlson
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.
Episodes
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242: You Can't Recruit Workers Who Can't Find Childcare with Nicole Riehl
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Nicole Riehl, president and CEO of Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), about the childcare crisis hiding in plain sight in America's workforce. Nicole explains why communities can't simply recruit new jobs without...
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241: The Industry Hiding in Your Tourism Brochure with Sandy Davis and Ryan Cannon
In this episode Dane Carlson talks with Sandy Davis of the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation and Ryan Cannon of Golf Tourism Solutions about a business recruitment opportunity hiding behind decades of tourism success. Myrtle Beach knew how to attract golfers; the next…
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240: Small Town, Big Tech with Victoria Archuleta
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Victoria Archuleta, Senior Economic Development Director for the Village of Los Lunas, New Mexico, about what happens when a small community starts attracting some very big companies. Located just south of Albuquerque, Los Lunas has…
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239: Your EDO Website Looks Great. So Why Isn't It Working? with Max Karren
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Max Karren, founder of Choose Our City, about why economic development websites need to do more than look pretty. Max explains how search engine optimization (SEO) is evolving as site selectors increasingly use ChatGPT and other AI…
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238: How Ponca City Turned Housing Into Economic Development with Lori Henderson
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Lori Henderson, executive director of the Ponca City Development Authority, about what economic development looks like in a rural manufacturing community where workforce, housing, childcare, and quality of life are all connected. Lori...
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237: What a Military Interrogator Can Teach Economic Developers with Dan Kiger
In this unique episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Dan Kiger, founder and principal advisor at VerumLegend, about why a meeting that feels productive can still leave you without the answers you need. Drawing on more than 20 years in the defense intelligence community, including...
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236: Stop Treating Entrepreneurship Like a Side Project with Peter McGee
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Peter McGee about why entrepreneurship support is often included in economic development plans but rarely given the same strategic attention as attraction, retention, and infrastructure. Peter explains how better entrepreneurship…
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235: Site Selection Doesn't Start With the Site with Thane Hutcheson
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane talks with Thane Hutcheson about what site selection looks like from the company side of the table, beginning with why the process often starts with markets, labor, supply chains, and operating conditions rather than a specific piece of dirt. Thane…
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234: Why Rural Communities Need More Than Grant Money with Amy Renner
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Amy Renner, Community Development Senior Program Manager for the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), about what rural communities really need to move economic development projects forward. Drawing on her experience as the...
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233: Infrastructure, Trust, and the Future of Economic Development with Will Williams
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Will Williams, president and CEO of the Western South Carolina Economic Development Partnership, about how economic development has changed over his career: from paper RFIs and long project timelines to massive capital investments,...
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232: Stop Marketing Your Community Like Everywhere Else with Bethany Quinn
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Bethany Quinn, president of Golden Shovel Agency, explains why communities that punch above their weight concentrate their resources on one or two genuine strengths. She and Dane discuss how specificity makes communities memorable, why economic development...
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231: Speed Wins in Economic Development with Mike Swesey
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Mike Swesey, president and CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation, about how St. Pete has worked to become known as a business destination as well as a place with beaches, culture, and quality of life. Mike…
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230: No Is Never the Final Answer: Creative Retention Strategies with Andrew Sloss
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Andrew Sloss discusses his transition to independent consulting and the lessons he has learned from nearly two decades in site selection and incentive negotiations. He explains why an initial “no” from a community may reflect a misunderstanding, a lack of...
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229: How Monterey Bay Became an Advanced Air Mobility Hub with Lavera Alexander
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Lavera Alexander about how the Monterey Bay region is positioning itself at the forefront of advanced air mobility. Lavera explains how four public-use airports, aircraft manufacturers, research institutions, workforce partners, and...
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228: Capital Is Not the Bottleneck with Liz Maxwell
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Liz Maxwell, chief of staff at the Idea Village, about how communities can support high-growth startups as part of a broader economic development strategy. Liz explains what accelerators actually do, how they differ from incubators and...
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227: Never Underestimate the Power of Ceremony with Melissa James
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Melissa James, founding president and CEO of REACH Central Coast, about building a regional economic development organization amid the anticipated closure of Diablo Canyon, persistent affordability challenges, and a fragmented approach…
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226: Economic Development Is a Relationship Game with Damian Denmark
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Damian Denmark, economic development director for the City of Yukon, Oklahoma, about what it looks like to build an economic development department in a fast-growing suburban community northwest of Oklahoma City. Damian shares how his...
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225: Detroit Beyond the Comeback with Kevin Johnson
In this episode Dane talks with Kevin Johnson, president and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, about Detroit’s current economic momentum and what other communities can learn from it. Kevin explains why “comeback city” no longer fully captures Detroit’s story, how technology,...
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224: Building Trust Before Building Buildings with Janae Stark
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane talks with Janae Stark about the Community Economic Revitalization Board’s “right project, right time” approach to rural economic development, from planning and project development to infrastructure financing, construction timelines, and what happens…
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223: The Power of Powerlessness with Michael Hecht
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Michael Hecht, CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc., about the deeper economic story behind a region best known for food, music, culture, and Mardi Gras. Michael explains how New Orleans’ economy is rooted in maritime, energy, defense,...
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222: How Energy Is Changing Site Selection with Anna Cardona
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane talks with Anna Cardona, an economic development consultant with Wolves Development Group, about her path from architecture and design into economic development, her move from public and public-private work into the private sector, and the growing role…
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221: Music as Economic Development with Matt Mandrella
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Matt Mandrella, Music Officer for the City of Huntsville, Alabama, about what it means for a city government to take music seriously as an economic development strategy. Matt explains how Huntsville’s music audit led to intentional...
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220: The Hidden Cost of Becoming Cool with Jon Roberts
In this episode Dane Carlson talks with Jon Roberts of TIP Strategies about his new book, The Cost of Cool: Austin's Tech Growth and the People Left Behind, and what Austin’s rise can teach economic developers everywhere. They discuss how Austin became a tech and talent magnet, why that growth...
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219: The Economic Development Handbook We All Needed with Glenn Athey
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Dr. Glenn Athey, author of The Local and Regional Economic Development Handbook, about what economic developers actually need to know to move from strategy to delivery. Glenn shares how growing up in northeast England during...
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218: What Site Selectors Wish Economic Developers Understood with Mark Williams
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Mark Williams, founder of Strategic Development Group and author of Corporate Site Selection and Economic Development: A 35 Year Perspective, about what really happens behind the scenes in site selection. Mark shares lessons from…
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Why Economic Development Fundraising Matters More Than Ever with Brian Abernathy and Clint Nessmith
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Podcast, Dane Carlson talks with Brian Abernathy of Convergent and Clint Nessmith of Resource Development Group, now RDG, a Convergent Company, about the merger of two major economic development fundraising firms and what it means for chambers, EDOs, and...
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216: Economic Development Isn’t What It Used to Be with Teresa Nortillo
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Teresa Nortillo, President of Eco Devo 360, about how economic development has evolved from a deal-focused discipline into a complex, ecosystem-driven practice. They explore how energy constraints, workforce skill gaps, and the need…
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215: How Oklahoma City Turned Voter Investment Into Real Growth with Christy Gillenwater
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Christy Gillenwater, President and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, about how Oklahoma City has built sustained economic momentum through its unique MAPS program, a voter-approved, pay-as-you-go funding model for...
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214: The Bermuda Triangle of Economic Development with David Parker
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with David Parker of the Bermuda Business Development Agency about how a small island became a global powerhouse in reinsurance and is now strategically diversifying its economy. David explains Bermuda’s unique “triangle” of government,...
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213: How a Town of 30,000 Competes (and Wins) in Economic Development with Tim Hanigan
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Tim Hanigan, CEO of the Aberdeen Development Corporation in Aberdeen, South Dakota, about how a rural community of 30,000 punches above its weight in economic development. Tim explains how Aberdeen leverages entrepreneurship, regional...
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212: How Incentives Really Influence Site Selection with Taylor Stepp
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Taylor Stepp, Founder and President of Strategic Development Partners, about the real role incentives play in economic development deals. Drawing on experience working with corporations and communities across the country, Taylor…
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211: How Video is Changing Economic Development Marketing with Lyndsay Wisneski
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Lyndsay Wisneski, Chief Marketing Officer of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, about how storytelling and modern marketing strategies can transform economic development. Lyndsay shares how Yuma built a powerful…
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210: Turning a Military Base into a Manufacturing Engine with Eric Voyles
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Eric Voyles, Executive Vice President and Chief Economic Development Officer for TexAmericas Center, about how a former 8,900-acre military installation became one of the most innovative redevelopment authorities in the country. Eric...
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209: Building a Cross-Border Economic Engine with Heath Vescovi-Chiordi
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Heath Vescovi-Chiordi, Director of Economic Development for Pima County, Arizona, to explore how one of the largest counties in the country balances rural biodiversity, cross-border trade with Mexico, aerospace and optics clusters,...
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208: What Rural Economic Development in Nebraska Really Looks Like in 2026 with Lisa Hurley
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Lisa Hurley, Executive Director of the York County Development Corporation in Nebraska, to talk about what modern rural economic development actually looks like on the ground. Lisa shares how York County leverages its logistics...
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207: Speed to Market as an Incentive with Ellie Reynolds
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Ellie Reynolds, President and CEO of the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation, to unpack how one of Colorado’s fastest-growing counties balances quality of life, infrastructure investment, regulatory realities, and...
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206: The Fifth Season of Economic Development with Juliet Abdel
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Juliet Abdel, President and CEO of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, to talk about building a regionally focused, globally minded economic development organization. Drawing on Cedar Rapids' "fifth season" advantage (time,...
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205: No Product, No Project in Central Texas with Mike Kamerlander
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson sits down with Mike Kamerlander, President and CEO of the Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership, to discuss what economic development looks like inside one of the fastest-growing regions in Texas. Drawing from HCEDP’s recent…
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204: From Company Town to Community Vision with Jessica Huble
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Jessica Huble, Assistant Director of Redevelopment for the City of Sugar Land, Texas, to explore how a landlocked, master-planned suburb is rethinking growth, housing, and economic sustainability. The conversation dives into Sugar...
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203: Transit as Economic Development Strategy with Joya Stetson
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson talks with Joya Stetson, Community Development Director at the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA), about how transit directly shapes workforce access, development costs, and long-term community competitiveness. Joya unpacks “first...
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202: How Community Colleges Power Statewide Economic Development with John Loyack
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson sits down with John Loyack of the North Carolina Community College System to unpack what “workforce development” looks like when you’re the person who gets the call the day after the ribbon cutting asking where the next 500–5,000 workers…
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201: Why Electricity Decides Everything Now in Economic Development with Timothy Comerford
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Timothy Comerford of Biggins Lacey & Shapiro about the rapidly shifting reality of power availability in site selection. Tim explains how explosive demand from data centers and industrial users is overwhelming electric utilities,...
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200: How Colorado Springs Competes Globally with Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, President and CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC, about how Colorado Springs is uniting its region to compete globally, building on its deep aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity assets, and expanding...
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199: How Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Can Transform Local Economies with Martin Vanags
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with economic development veteran and consultant Marty Vanags about Circles of Seven, a peer-based mentoring program designed to strengthen post-startup small businesses who often fall through the cracks of traditional support systems.…
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198: Dane With Joe Barker on the Rural Strong Podcast
On this special crossover episode, Dane Carlson joins Joe Barker on the Rural Strong Podcast to talk about Sitehunt, entrepreneurship, and the power of AI to help rural and small-community economic developers compete at scale. In this episode of Rural Strong, Joe and Dane explore how AI tools…
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197: Inside IMPLAN: Fifty Years of Economic Impact Analysis with Candi Clouse
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Candi Clouse from IMPLAN joins Dane Carlson to unpack how the fifty-year-old economic-impact platform grew from a U.S. Forest Service project into the industry’s gold standard for analyzing how local and regional economies respond to change. She explains the...
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196: AI and the Future of Economic Development with Dane Carlson
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson shares his talk from the Utility Economic Development Association’s 2025 Fall Forum in Traverse City, Michigan. He explains how artificial intelligence is transforming economic development from a guessing game into a data-driven discipline....
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195: Lessons from One of America’s Great Neighborhoods with 3CDC's Joe Rudemiller
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Joe Rudemiller, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC), about how the organization helped turn Over-the-Rhine from a crime-ridden, disinvested neighborhood into one of...
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194: Tackling Systemic Vacancy and Building Equity with Kat Guillaume-Delemar
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Kat Guillaume-Delemar, President and CEO of the Center for Community Progress, the nation’s only nonprofit dedicated to fixing the systems that lead to widespread vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties. Kat shares how systemic...
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193: How Mid-Sized Markets Win: The Topeka Story with Molly Howey
In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Molly Howey, CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership, to discuss how Topeka is redefining what is possible for mid-sized U.S. cities. Molly shares how uniting economic development, downtown revitalization, tourism, and the chamber...
About this show
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.
Hosted by
Dane Carlson
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