A Livability Media Podcast
Join host Amanda Ellis, Editor in Chief of Livability.com, as she delves into talent attraction and economic development topics, explores some of America’s hidden gems and highlights the people behind the scenes who make an impact on communities and their livability.
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When the retail marketplace Painted Tree abruptly declared bankruptcy, 311 small businesses in Franklin, Tennessee were shut down and told to clear out their inventory, with no notice. In the blink of an eye, they lost their point-of-sale system, their storefront, and their customer lists. In this episode, Jena Potter shares how her team at […]
What does it take to transform a former Superfund site into a thriving community asset? In Charleston, the answer involved decades of remediation, an innovative flood resilience solution, and a developer willing to play the long game. In this episode, Clark Davis shares how his team took a former EPA Superfund site from contaminated to […]
When you have less than 4% of land left, you stop thinking about what to build and start thinking about what to repurpose. That’s exactly what Sugar Land, Texas did with their brand new Office Readiness Program. In this episode, Jennifer Alexander, Business Development Manager for the City of Sugar Land, shares the details on […]
When jobs, population, and opportunity surge, so do affordability pressures, housing shortages, and the risk of losing the very character that made your community attractive in the first place. In this episode, Stephanie Coleman, President & CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, shares how one of the country’s fastest-growing regions is approaching that […]
Place marketing isn’t just marketing anymore. It’s recruiting, community building, and storytelling all at once. In this episode, destination storytelling expert Kristin Luna shares what’s working in place marketing right now: why print still has a role, how AI is reshaping the way communities need to think about their online presence, and how public art […]
For many communities, the outdoor economy is still treated as a soft amenity rather than a serious economic lever, even though it generates over $650 billion in economic impact each year. In this episode, Ross Berlin, Senior Consultant at Fourth Economy, makes the case for why that needs to change. We dig into how outdoor […]
Short-term workforce training is only as strong as what happens after graduation. In this episode, Kevin Golumbeck, Director of CareerEdge at the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, shares how the Bridges to Careers program has built an employer engagement model that looks different depending on the industry – from closed-door job fairs at the Chamber […]
John Launius of One Southern Indiana discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of economic development in a region crossing two states, including infrastructure-focused regional brand, The Fouridor. Learn how the region leverages a bi-state talent pool, attracts big win projects like a Meta data center and keeps the momentum of their wins ongoing.
Job training programs that are short, free and tailored to the needs of your employers could be key to maximizing your existing workforce. Tune in for a case study from Shannon Thiele, Ames Regional Economic Alliance, on the community’s Story Country Retraining Program.
New Mexico recently unveiled free child care for all New Mexico families. We sat down with Kendal Chavez, Deputy Secretary, New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department, to hear how they’re pulling off this game-changing initiative.
In a crowded digital landscape, it’s more important than ever for a chamber to establish themselves as a one-stop information shop. In this episode, learn how to move beyond event announcements and transform your chamber into a trusted source for the news, stories and insights your members are seeking. 5:03 – Jeremy Henderson, Chattanooga Chamber […]
The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) shares their Project Reconnect initiative helping adult students return to school through a human-centered, holistic approach. Hear how the program goes beyond tuition by covering previous debt balances and providing empathetic, personalized support for real-life barriers like transportation and childcare.
Today, communities are moving beyond traditional job boards to connect relocating talent with job opportunities. Hear how innovative programs in Northwest Arkansas, Champaign-Urbana and South Dakota use human-centered support to go the extra mile when it comes to talent attraction: (02:13) Aron Shelton, Finding Northwest Arkansas (10:00) Carly McCrory-McKay, Champaign-Urbana Community Job Application (17:02) Alex Neuland, Dakota Roots […]
In this episode, Estes Hughes, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, joins us to discuss FuelAL, the state’s innovative program designed to retain college students after graduation. Customized programs offer students professional development, social opportunities and community service, plus expose them to diverse cities and industries across the state.
Boomerangs can be a great talent attraction target – maybe you are one yourself! In this episode, we look at a couple community programs focused on bringing back boomerangs, and hear from some boomerangs themselves about their stories and what drew them back to the cities they’re now based in: [02:04]: Josh, a business owner […]
Downtowns are a huge part of a city’s identity, but the fast-growing Austin suburb of Cedar Park didn’t have one. Enter the new downtown Bell District and its anchor, the Cedar Park Public Library. In this episode, hear from Mayor Jim Penniman-Morin about the vibrant, walkable heartbeat of Cedar Park, the importance of having a […]
Welcome to a new season! And welcome to a new format for some of our episodes, where you get to hear from multiple experts on a topic, tied together by host and Livability Editor in Chief Amanda Ellis. In this episode, we’re sharing how you can retain students and recent grads in your community, including: […]
Hilary Doe, Chief Growth Officer for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, shares how Michigan is strategically addressing population and workforce challenges through a multifaceted approach. From leaning into who you are as a community to drawing on marketing tactics from other industries, get insights on what works to make your place home to more talent.
Fort Worth Film Commissioner Taylor Hardy shares about Fort Worth’s strategic embrace of film and television. Through workforce development, financial incentives and industry partnerships, the community has generated over $700 million in economic impact since 2015 and supported more than 30,000 jobs.
In this episode, we talk with Jennifer Wakefield, Greater Richmond Partnership, about the power of perception research in economic development. Discover how Richmond, Virginia, uses annual surveys of site selectors and corporate decision makers to put their best foot forward in site selection.
Delve into what’s behind recent economic development wins in Arkansas with Hugh McDonald, Secretary of Commerce with the State of Arkansas. We chat with Hugh about the state’s competitive advantages and how it’s attracting investment, supporting its communities and positioning itself for continued growth.
Discover how South Dakota is attracting new residents and tackling workforce needs with its innovative Dakota Roots program. We talk with Program Manager Alex Neuland about how Dakota Roots job advisors provide personalized support for relocators, from exploring job opportunities to navigating the move itself.
In this conversation with Matt Tackett, President of the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC), we delve into the South as a premier investment location. Tune in to learn about SEDC’s global reach, commitment to innovation and how it fosters collaboration among 17 member states.
Green jobs are booming in the U.S., and in North Port St. Joe, leaders are leveraging workforce training in green jobs to revitalize the local economy. This free 6-week brownfield training program helps residents gain green-collar skills to meet growing demand in the environmental sector.
In this episode, we meet Philadelphia’s night mayor and delve into the importance of a city’s nighttime economy – it’s not just about the fun, but the economic impact.
Traverse City’s Northern Explorers spend a weekend each year experiencing what it’d be like to live in this beautiful community. In this episode, Abby Baudry of Traverse Connect and Michigan’s Creative Coast, joins us to share more about this program with a 50% success rate of relocation.
From big wins to boomerangs – and recruiting them back to town, what’s behind all the success in Greensboro? In this episode, Marvin Price, Executive Vice President of Economic Development for the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, joins us to talk about these wins and much more.
AI has been a hot button topic in 2024, to say the least. In our interview with Chmura’s Mike Chmura, we look at the data on AI jobs to offer a better understanding of the AI job market especially for economic developers looking to stay ahead of the curve.
Learn about the Taylor Swift Effect on Kansas City due to the pop star’s romance with Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce. Danielle Hilton of TeamKC joins us in this episode to chat about maximizing happenings that put your city in the limelight, through the lens of KC’s pop culture moments.
Each season, we hear from a community who recently won a significant project. On this Pick Me! episode, Joey Deason, Executive Director of the Madison County Economic Development Authority in Mississippi, joins us to talk about landing a $10 billion investment from Amazon Web Services.
Wondering how to promote your small to mid-sized city? Tune in to hear how Livability can help, plus the perks of living in a smaller city, highlights of our research on American relocation and what we want when it comes to where we live.
In this episode, Nicole Bentley of Safal Partners covers all the ins and outs of Registered Apprenticeship and how apprenticeship can help build the workforce you need. Questions? Reach out to her at [email protected].
In this episode, learn about Arvada, CO’s approach to supporting local manufacturers. Iza Petrykowska, Executive Director at the Arvada Economic Development Association shares how this program helps retain jobs, increase sales and foster a thriving manufacturing sector.
Hear firsthand from Laurence Beliel, Director of Business Retention and Expansion at the Ponca City Development Authority, how the award-winning Shared Equipment Program is revolutionizing access to expensive, specialized machinery for Ponca City’s manufacturers.
Internships are key to your talent pipeline and boost talent retention in your community. What can you do to make more of them available to students in your area? Workforce development expert Becca Cruger shares tips and a case study: the Intern Grand Forks program.
Prepping for your next fundraising or support campaign? You’re in the right place with this interview from Tom DiFiore of National Community Development Services helping you put your best foot forward for securing those dollars.
We’re talking data centers to kick off Season 5! Bryan Rothamel, Culpeper County (VA) Economic Development, shares about the Culpeper Technology Zone, a 690-acre campus designated to host data centers and advance the STEM industries at the forefront of Culpeper’s economy.
Economic development and talent attraction leaders are tasked with telling the story of their communities compellingly. But how do you know what sets your area apart and how do you drive that home in your messaging?
It can be tough to be on your own in a new city. In fact, our research on affordability shows that proximity to loved ones is a big factor in relocation decisions for many people. Some communities are making it more comfortable to move away from your network by enticing new talent with city concierge programs. [...]
Michael, Dwight and the whole gang at Dunder Mifflin Paper Company made us laugh from 2005 to 2013. When the show was first gaining a foothold, the Scranton community saw things a little differently, according to Mari Potis, the director of membership and events for The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. Then tourism not only […]
On this Talent To Go episode, we sit down with Charles Wood from the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce in Chattanooga, TN to discuss how engaged residents, public-private partnerships and embracing new ideas have given this gorgeous river and mountain community an edge when it comes to attracting – and retaining – talent.
The pandemic brought to the forefront the struggles working parents face to balance work and family responsibilities. Without high-quality childcare, it’s hard to have a high-quality workforce. What can you do to ensure parents in your community have the support they need to succeed alongside your businesses? We’ll hear from Naturally Lewis, Lewis County, NY’s […]
Jamie Wright, Executive Director of the Alliance for Rural Impact, helps you navigate the workforce challenges faced by small rural communities. You want companies to be successful in your area, but that requires a labor pool you may not quite have. In this episode, learn how automation can expand the capabilities of your current workforce […]
Every year we at Livability produce an objective, research-based Top 100 Best Places to Live list, sponsored this year by eXp Realty. Madison, Wisconsin takes the honor of the No. 1 spot for the second year in a row. In this episode, two Madison leaders: Jason Fields, President of the Madison Region Economic Partnership, and […]
1 in 3 Americans have a criminal record that is probably limiting their participation in your workforce and community. Any arrest, even if it didn’t lead to conviction, constitutes a record and lifelong barrier to opportunity, even for those who long ago served their time. Sheena Meade, Executive Director of the Clean Slate Initiative, is […]
How do you embrace newcomers to your community? Helping new folks feel settled, engaged and included can be key to talent retention. In this episode, corporate relocation expert Cindy Nixon of eXp Realty shares her tips for integrating your newbies and getting them cozied up in their new location.
Each season, we’ll hear from a community who recently won a significant project, and how they did it. On this Pick Me! Episode, West Virginia’s Secretary of Economic Development Mitch Carmichael joins us to talk about landing the biggest investment in state history: Nucor Corporation’s $2.7 billion project.
Are you struggling to meet housing demands for your community? Too much office or retail space? In this episode, Camoin Associates shares ideas for solving today’s common real estate challenges. We also cover how you can get buy-in from the right folks to create change, and how real estate issues might evolve in the coming […]
With change happening rapidly and staff burnout at a record high, how do you ensure your chamber or EDO is ready for the future? Sheree Anne Kelly, President & CEO, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, joins us with guidance on how you can hit all the right notes when it comes to having the […]
Economic developers are always taking on a host of new challenges, but what, if anything, has changed when it comes to winning projects that bring new businesses to your community? How do you put your best foot forward? In this episode, Lauren Berry, of location analysis and incentives advisory firm Maxis Advisors, joins us to […]
Looking to boost your community’s pool of workers in fields like health care, tech or manufacturing? You’re in the right place – our two-part series on upskilling. In our first installment, Merit America joins us with expert insight on boosting your pool of tech workers, closing opportunity gaps in your area and tips for building […]
Looking to boost your community’s pool of workers in fields like health care, tech or manufacturing? You’re in the right place – our two-part series on upskilling. In our second installment, the Ames Chamber joins us with expert insight on how to design workforce programs, with case studies on their See Yourself in Ames intern […]
Have you been charged with marketing your community? Get place marketing insights from Development Counsellors International. In this episode, you’ll learn about where to start and who to partner with in your community, plus more to help you go from launching a place marketing strategy to an established place brand that appeals to talent, business […]
Places with a large nearby military presence know that can really shape the fabric of your community. But are you maximizing that impact when it comes to your talent strategies? And how do you keep transitioning military folks in your region? In this episode, April Bragg of the Robins Regional Chamber in Warner Robins, Georgia, […]
In this episode, Nathan Ohle, President & CEO, International Economic Development Council, looks back on his first year leading our industry’s premier professional association. He also talks about the future of IEDC and the profession, especially recruiting students to our industry, IEDC’s Economic Recovery Corps and much more.
In this episode, we sit down with Adam Knapp, President & CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, to talk about Baton Rouge’s comprehensive talent strategies, and how this community is upskilling high schoolers, college students and adults. Not only are they matching the right people to the right jobs, they’re also closing opportunity gaps […]
Each season, we’ll hear from a community who recently won a significant project, and how they did it. On this Pick Me! Episode, Chassen Haynes, Senior Director of Business Development for the State of Tennessee, joins us to talk about landing the biggest investment in Tennessee history: Ford’s $5.6 billion BlueOval project creating BlueOval City.
We’re taking you back into our archives with this episode featuring Mike Christenson of Applied Geographic Solutions, Livability’s data partner on our recently released Top 100 Best Places to Live in 2024. Mike shares about how the right data can have a big impact on your efforts to draw talent and businesses.
Kaleigh Cox, of DxTEL and Fiber Homes, joins us for our first episode of Season 3 on how fiber internet can help you meet your talent and business attraction goals. She also talks about resources for bringing fiber to your area and tapping your local real estate agents to support your strategy.
In this episode, Chris Fair, futurist as well as founder and CEO of Resonance, discusses what will make the cities of the future good places to live and what to be thinking about now to be a talent magnet in the coming decades.
Brooke Randels of Campus Tulsa joins us on this episode with insight on retaining college students in your community. She also shares about the knowledge you can glean from the upcoming Young, Smart & Local talent conference in New Orleans and chats about the future of higher education, plus what Gen Z is getting right.
DCI’s Patience Fairbrother joins us with insights for your talent strategies and the high points of DCI’s annual Talent Wars job and location research, including implications for small and mid-sized cities and local upskilling programs.
Each season, we hear from a community who recently won a significant project, and how they did it. On this Pick Me! Episode, Kenny McDonald, President & CEO, Columbus Partnership, joins us to talk about landing the biggest investment in Ohio state history: Intel’s $20 billion project in Licking County.
The Ames Chamber wants to showcase what makes Ames an A+ community. Learn how they’re meeting their goals by partnering with Livability to tell talent everywhere about one of America’s best mid-sized cities. We also cover other successful talent and workforce efforts happening in Ames.
Plural founder & CEO Damola Ogundipe joins us to chat about the unique power of chambers to influence and shape legislative priorities.
In this episode, we hear about housing from Stephane Frijia, President & CEO of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, and about creating more options to meet the needs of locals at all income levels and life stages.
Alex Beck, Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation, joins us to share about Brattleboro’s Welcoming Workplaces Initiative supporting local employers in welcoming all kinds of employees, particularly immigrants and refugees new to the U.S. Tune in to hear about increasing diversity in a small community and making an impact for both new Americans and locals.
In the final episode of this season, we hear from Tyler Rossmaessler, Executive Director of the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance, about the Talent Tours Program bringing job seekers directly to employers in Flint, MI.
In this episode, Brian McGowan, President of Centennial Yards, shares the ins and outs of one of the largest ever mixed use development projects and how it will reshape downtown Atlanta.
Maureen McGuinness, President & CEO of the Triangle East Chamber, chats with us about the NC Early Education Coalition and how they’re meeting child care challenges in North Carolina.
In the second installment of our two-part child care series, Garrett Dolan, Associate Director of Human Resources at Tyson Foods, talks about Tyson’s onsite child care facility at the company’s Humboldt, TN plant, including plenty of takeaways for businesses and economic developers.
In this episode, Chelsey Roney, co-founder of Proxi, joins us for a chat about using customizable maps to elevate your place marketing
Each season, we hear from a community who recently won a significant project. On this Pick Me! Episode, Jeff Rea, President & CEO of Indiana’s South Bend Regional Chamber, joins us to talk about landing GM & Samsung SDI’s $3.5 billion investment in an EV battery cell plant in St. Joseph County.
Sandy Dubay, President & CEO of PPR Strategies, delves into streamlining your economic development marketing strategy with tips from her 20+ years of experience in this niche. We chat about DIY approaches vs. engaging outside support, how to lighten your marketing load by collaborating with others in your community and much more.
Marcus Randolph, President & CEO of Invest Newark, explains how this EDO uses the Newark Land Bank to revitalize properties, making homeownership accessible and affordable for more residents. We also chat about other considerations for community leaders who want to boost the rate of ownership, and why it’s important work.
Jason Archer, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, shares about how you can work with peers in your community to level up your business retention and expansion efforts.
We’re taking you back into our archives with this episode featuring Mike Christenson of Applied Geographic Solutions, Livability’s data partner on our recently released Top 100 Best Places to Live in 2024. Mike shares about how the right data can have a big impact on your efforts to draw talent and businesses.
In this episode, Joe Scantlebury, President & CEO of Living Cities, discusses the critical role of homeownership in wealth building and how Living Cities promotes equitable access to capital through not only home ownership, but business ownership, and more to build an economy where everyone can thrive.
Stacy Garmon, President & CEO of the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, chats with us about their Tours for Teachers program connecting educators with local businesses and insights into current workforce needs.
We’re talking data centers to kick off Season 5! Bryan Rothamel, Culpeper County (VA) Economic Development, shares about the Culpeper Technology Zone, a 690-acre campus designated to host data centers and advance the STEM industries at the forefront of Culpeper’s economy.
Prepping for your next fundraising or support campaign? You’re in the right place with this interview from Tom DiFiore of National Community Development Services helping you put your best foot forward for securing those dollars.
Internships are key to your talent pipeline and boost talent retention in your community. What can you do to make more of them available to students in your area? Workforce development expert Becca Cruger shares tips and a case study: the Intern Grand Forks program.
Hear firsthand from Laurence Beliel, Director of Business Retention and Expansion at the Ponca City Development Authority, how the award-winning Shared Equipment Program is revolutionizing access to expensive, specialized machinery for Ponca City’s manufacturers.
In this episode, learn about Arvada, CO’s approach to supporting local manufacturers. Iza Petrykowska, Executive Director at the Arvada Economic Development Association shares how this program helps retain jobs, increase sales and foster a thriving manufacturing sector.
In this episode, Nicole Bentley of Safal Partners covers all the ins and outs of Registered Apprenticeship and how apprenticeship can help build the workforce you need. Questions? Reach out to her at [email protected].
Wondering how to promote your small to mid-sized city? Tune in to hear how Livability can help, plus the perks of living in a smaller city, highlights of our research on American relocation and what we want when it comes to where we live.
Each season, we hear from a community who recently won a significant project. On this Pick Me! episode, Joey Deason, Executive Director of the Madison County Economic Development Authority in Mississippi, joins us to talk about landing a $10 billion investment from Amazon Web Services.
Learn about the Taylor Swift Effect on Kansas City due to the pop star’s romance with Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce. Danielle Hilton of TeamKC joins us in this episode to chat about maximizing happenings that put your city in the limelight, through the lens of KC’s pop culture moments.
AI has been a hot button topic in 2024, to say the least. In our interview with Chmura’s Mike Chmura, we look at the data on AI jobs to offer a better understanding of the AI job market especially for economic developers looking to stay ahead of the curve.
From big wins to boomerangs – and recruiting them back to town, what’s behind all the success in Greensboro? In this episode, Marvin Price, Executive Vice President of Economic Development for the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, joins us to talk about these wins and much more.
Traverse City’s Northern Explorers spend a weekend each year experiencing what it’d be like to live in this beautiful community. In this episode, Abby Baudry of Traverse Connect and Michigan’s Creative Coast, joins us to share more about this program with a 50% success rate of relocation.
In this episode, we meet Philadelphia’s night mayor and delve into the importance of a city’s nighttime economy – it’s not just about the fun, but the economic impact.
Green jobs are booming in the U.S., and in North Port St. Joe, leaders are leveraging workforce training in green jobs to revitalize the local economy. This free 6-week brownfield training program helps residents gain green-collar skills to meet growing demand in the environmental sector.
In this conversation with Matt Tackett, President of the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC), we delve into the South as a premier investment location. Tune in to learn about SEDC’s global reach, commitment to innovation and how it fosters collaboration among 17 member states.
Discover how South Dakota is attracting new residents and tackling workforce needs with its innovative Dakota Roots program. We talk with Program Manager Alex Neuland about how Dakota Roots job advisors provide personalized support for relocators, from exploring job opportunities to navigating the move itself.
Delve into what’s behind recent economic development wins in Arkansas with Hugh McDonald, Secretary of Commerce with the State of Arkansas. We chat with Hugh about the state’s competitive advantages and how it’s attracting investment, supporting its communities and positioning itself for continued growth.
In this episode, we talk with Jennifer Wakefield, Greater Richmond Partnership, about the power of perception research in economic development. Discover how Richmond, Virginia, uses annual surveys of site selectors and corporate decision makers to put their best foot forward in site selection.
Fort Worth Film Commissioner Taylor Hardy shares about Fort Worth’s strategic embrace of film and television. Through workforce development, financial incentives and industry partnerships, the community has generated over $700 million in economic impact since 2015 and supported more than 30,000 jobs.
Hilary Doe, Chief Growth Officer for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, shares how Michigan is strategically addressing population and workforce challenges through a multifaceted approach. From leaning into who you are as a community to drawing on marketing tactics from other industries, get insights on what works to make your place home to more talent.
Welcome to a new season! And welcome to a new format for some of our episodes, where you get to hear from multiple experts on a topic, tied together by host and Livability Editor in Chief Amanda Ellis. In this episode, we’re sharing how you can retain students and recent grads in your community, including: […]
Downtowns are a huge part of a city’s identity, but the fast-growing Austin suburb of Cedar Park didn’t have one. Enter the new downtown Bell District and its anchor, the Cedar Park Public Library. In this episode, hear from Mayor Jim Penniman-Morin about the vibrant, walkable heartbeat of Cedar Park, the importance of having a […]
Boomerangs can be a great talent attraction target – maybe you are one yourself! In this episode, we look at a couple community programs focused on bringing back boomerangs, and hear from some boomerangs themselves about their stories and what drew them back to the cities they’re now based in: [02:04]: Josh, a business owner […]
In this episode, Estes Hughes, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, joins us to discuss FuelAL, the state’s innovative program designed to retain college students after graduation. Customized programs offer students professional development, social opportunities and community service, plus expose them to diverse cities and industries across the state.
Today, communities are moving beyond traditional job boards to connect relocating talent with job opportunities. Hear how innovative programs in Northwest Arkansas, Champaign-Urbana and South Dakota use human-centered support to go the extra mile when it comes to talent attraction: (02:13) Aron Shelton, Finding Northwest Arkansas (10:00) Carly McCrory-McKay, Champaign-Urbana Community Job Application (17:02) Alex Neuland, Dakota Roots […]
The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) shares their Project Reconnect initiative helping adult students return to school through a human-centered, holistic approach. Hear how the program goes beyond tuition by covering previous debt balances and providing empathetic, personalized support for real-life barriers like transportation and childcare.
In a crowded digital landscape, it’s more important than ever for a chamber to establish themselves as a one-stop information shop. In this episode, learn how to move beyond event announcements and transform your chamber into a trusted source for the news, stories and insights your members are seeking. 5:03 – Jeremy Henderson, Chattanooga Chamber […]
New Mexico recently unveiled free child care for all New Mexico families. We sat down with Kendal Chavez, Deputy Secretary, New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department, to hear how they’re pulling off this game-changing initiative.
Job training programs that are short, free and tailored to the needs of your employers could be key to maximizing your existing workforce. Tune in for a case study from Shannon Thiele, Ames Regional Economic Alliance, on the community’s Story Country Retraining Program.
John Launius of One Southern Indiana discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of economic development in a region crossing two states, including infrastructure-focused regional brand, The Fouridor. Learn how the region leverages a bi-state talent pool, attracts big win projects like a Meta data center and keeps the momentum of their wins ongoing.
Short-term workforce training is only as strong as what happens after graduation. In this episode, Kevin Golumbeck, Director of CareerEdge at the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, shares how the Bridges to Careers program has built an employer engagement model that looks different depending on the industry – from closed-door job fairs at the Chamber […]
For many communities, the outdoor economy is still treated as a soft amenity rather than a serious economic lever, even though it generates over $650 billion in economic impact each year. In this episode, Ross Berlin, Senior Consultant at Fourth Economy, makes the case for why that needs to change. We dig into how outdoor […]
Place marketing isn’t just marketing anymore. It’s recruiting, community building, and storytelling all at once. In this episode, destination storytelling expert Kristin Luna shares what’s working in place marketing right now: why print still has a role, how AI is reshaping the way communities need to think about their online presence, and how public art […]
When jobs, population, and opportunity surge, so do affordability pressures, housing shortages, and the risk of losing the very character that made your community attractive in the first place. In this episode, Stephanie Coleman, President & CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, shares how one of the country’s fastest-growing regions is approaching that […]
When you have less than 4% of land left, you stop thinking about what to build and start thinking about what to repurpose. That’s exactly what Sugar Land, Texas did with their brand new Office Readiness Program. In this episode, Jennifer Alexander, Business Development Manager for the City of Sugar Land, shares the details on […]
What does it take to transform a former Superfund site into a thriving community asset? In Charleston, the answer involved decades of remediation, an innovative flood resilience solution, and a developer willing to play the long game. In this episode, Clark Davis shares how his team took a former EPA Superfund site from contaminated to […]
When the retail marketplace Painted Tree abruptly declared bankruptcy, 311 small businesses in Franklin, Tennessee were shut down and told to clear out their inventory, with no notice. In the blink of an eye, they lost their point-of-sale system, their storefront, and their customer lists. In this episode, Jena Potter shares how her team at […]
