Develop This: Economic and Community Development

The International Economic Development Council has a new chief executive.  In this episode, Dennis interviews Nathan Ohle to learn more about his background and his take on the future of IEDC.

Tune in for this exclusive one-on-one with the new leader of the economic development industry.

More About Nathan Ohle

Connect with Nathan Ohle

How do you build an economic development program that is helpful, simple to understand, and one that also has a significant impact?  Brandon Marshall, who serves as the Business Development Division Director for the Wyoming Business Council joins Jason to discuss that very question.  They talk building state programs, having a funnel of relevant offerings, and working with economic developers at the local level.

Another important point for consideration: make the entry point to your programming easy and clear.

This episode was recorded on site at the Mid-America EDC Competitiveness Conference.

Connect with Brandon Marshall

Mid-America Economic Development Council

Jay Garner is a name well known in the economic development and site selection business.  His firm, Garner Economics, uses data to help companies and communities make better decisions and strategic action plans. 

In this episode, Dennis asks Jay about his new book, Economic Development is [Still] Not for Amateurs co-authored with Ross Patten.  The first edition of the book sold over 5,000 copies, and this second edition has two new chapters.

Dennis and Jay break down the new content: Demystifying the Site-Selection Process and Y'all Means Y'all.

It's always good to catch up with Jay as he has a ton of insight to offer on a variety of topics.

More About Jay Garner

Buy the Book: Economic Development is [Still] Not for Amateurs

Declaring that education is about to reach a crisis of epic proportions is a bold statement.  In this episdoe, Dennis brings back resident expert Mark Perna to provide the context and support for such a bold statement.

We’re at a major tipping point in education. According to a recent survey, 48% of teachers admitted that they had considered quitting within the last 30 days. Of that number, 34% said they were thinking about leaving the profession entirely.

Understaffing has plagued schools for years, but it’s now reaching epic proportions.  Burnout is real.

Tune in for a discussion on the vicious cycle and suggestions for what to do about it.

EDUCATION WITH PURPOSE: TAKE ACTION CONFERENCE (September 21-22, 2022 in Cleveland, OH)

To register and find out more, head to Education with Purpose - 2022 Take Action Conference

Connect with Mark Perna

Mark Perna Bio

Mark C. Perna is the founder and CEO of TFS Results, a full-service strategic communications and consulting firm at the forefront of the national paradigm shift in education and workforce development. As an international generational expert, Mark has devoted his career to empowering educators and employers to unleash the tremendous potential of today’s young people.

Mark, who serves on the Advisory Council for the Coalition for Career Development in Washington, DC, has helped countless parents, schools, districts, businesses, and state organizations across North America to connect more effectively with the younger generations. He delivers more than 70 virtual and in-person keynote speeches annually and spoke at Harvard University by special invitation

At Forbes.com, Mark publishes articles as a weekly contributor and records monthly Leadership videos produced in partnership with the Forbes editorial team. He has published many op-eds in national publications and interviews frequently on radio shows, television, and podcasts. Every weekday, he hosts the 90-second Perna Syndicate micro-podcast covering insights on education, careers, and workforce development. His award-winning bestseller, Answering Why: Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generations, was written to help educators, employers, and parents understand and motivate the millennial and Z generations.

At TFS Results, Mark’s team of talented professionals share his vision of making a bigger difference in education and workforce development. With industry-leading products like the Career Tree® and EnrollTrack and an array of in-person and virtual professional development solutions, TFS Results is working to reshape the future of education in America. The company proudly partners with schools, colleges, businesses, and statewide organizations across North America to help them experience significant gains in enrollment, engagement, retention, and performance rates.

There is something special about our United States Capitol building, and professionals in the community development space often find themselves visiting at some point.

In this episode, Dennis brings on Jane Campbell, President and CEO of the United States Capitol Historical Society.  The organization was chartered by Congress to educate the public on the heritgage and history of the Capitol, its institutions, and the individuals who served them over time.

They talk history, access, initiatives and even changes after recent events.

Learn More About the US Capitol Historical Society

Connect with Jane Campbell

In this episode, Dennis brings on the current board chair of the International Economic Development Council, Todd Greene.

Todd Greene is an Institute fellow and the executive director of WorkRise, a research-to-action network on jobs, workers, and mobility hosted by the Urban Institute.

Economic developers are resilient which means they often embrace and even encourage change.  Dennis and Todd talk broadly about change in the profession as well as new technology and leadership at IEDC.

In addition, find out how you can be involved with IEDC.

More About Todd Greene, CEcD

More about IEDC

Each organization and each community approaches business retention and expansion efforts in a slightly different way.  In this episode, Jason is joined by Eric DeKorne, Business Rentention & Expansion Manager with the Greater Green Bay Chamber in Wisconsin.

They talk outreach to companies, survey questions, knowledge transfer, and the aggregation of data.

This episode was recorded on site at the Mid-America EDC Conference, and Eric was both a Bob Ady scholarship winner and also accepted an award on behalf of the Greater Green Bay Chamber.  Check out the video below.

Welcome Back Urban Hub (Award Winning) Video

Connect with Eric DeKorne

Greater Green Bay Chamber

Mid-America Economic Development Council

Although Jack Gottfried, EDA Planner with the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission, is in the early stages of his career, he is not afraid of big projects.

His regional organization tasked him with the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) as one of his very first projects.

Tune in as Jason asks him about planning, gaining confidence, and the Bob Ady Scholarship program.

This episode was recorded on site at the Mid-America EDC Conference

More About Jack Gottfried - UMVRDC

Mid-America Economic Development Council

Bob Ady Scholarship Program

In this episode, Jason interviews Nathan Schneider, CEcD, Vice President at Bismark Mandan Chamber EDC in North Dakota.  They talk people attraction, the value of wide open spaces, outdoor recreation, and placemaking. 

In particular, Nathan draws a clear distinction between the terms 'quality of life' and 'placemaking'.

This episode was recorded on site at the Mid-America EDC Conference.

Mid-America Economic Development Council

Connect with Nathan Schneider

Jeff Finkle, the International Economic Development Council's leader for its entire existance, will soon be retiring from the organization.

In part two of this short series, Dennis turns Jeff's attention to the future.  They talk diversity and inclusion, AI, training, and bold predictions.

More about the International Economic Development Council

Connect with Jeff Finkle