Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share 103: Zen and the Art of Rural Economic Development with Sean Adkins
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
103: Zen and the Art of Rural Economic Development with Sean Adkins
Sean Adkins has over a decade of economic development experience across multiple East Coast states. He currently serves as Town Manager of St. Albans, Vermont, where he uses his econ dev background to help the small town. Adkins shares insights into the differences between robust economic development support in Virginia versus the more isolated, self-reliant approach in Vermont.
One of his most surprising projects was leading development of a childcare facility in rural Virginia, despite not having kids himself. The intensive childcare facility regulations and community resistance he encountered shows the breadth of challenges econ dev professionals take on. Adkins stresses public servants genuinely try to serve local needs, though projects often require compromise.
He also discusses his favorite book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and the life philosophy behind its metaphors.
Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!
Special Guest: Sean Adkins.
Sponsored By:
- KathodeRay Media, Inc.: 
[KathodeRay](https://kathoderay.com) is a full-service marketing agency that connects government organizations to their community. This small (but mighty) woman owned and operated marketing agency can help your community thrive. They use tried and true methods that will connect your organization to your residents using social, digital and traditional media. [https://kathoderay.com](https://kathoderay.com)
Links:
- Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
- Sean Adkins, MPA | LinkedIn
View all episodes
By Dane Carlson
4.8
1515 ratings
Sean Adkins has over a decade of economic development experience across multiple East Coast states. He currently serves as Town Manager of St. Albans, Vermont, where he uses his econ dev background to help the small town. Adkins shares insights into the differences between robust economic development support in Virginia versus the more isolated, self-reliant approach in Vermont.
One of his most surprising projects was leading development of a childcare facility in rural Virginia, despite not having kids himself. The intensive childcare facility regulations and community resistance he encountered shows the breadth of challenges econ dev professionals take on. Adkins stresses public servants genuinely try to serve local needs, though projects often require compromise.
He also discusses his favorite book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and the life philosophy behind its metaphors.
Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!
Special Guest: Sean Adkins.
Sponsored By:
- KathodeRay Media, Inc.: 
[KathodeRay](https://kathoderay.com) is a full-service marketing agency that connects government organizations to their community. This small (but mighty) woman owned and operated marketing agency can help your community thrive. They use tried and true methods that will connect your organization to your residents using social, digital and traditional media. [https://kathoderay.com](https://kathoderay.com)
Links:
- Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
- Sean Adkins, MPA | LinkedIn
More shows like Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development
View all
Planet Money
30,676 Listeners
Marketplace Morning Report
925 Listeners
WSJ What’s News
4,356 Listeners
Masters in Business
2,170 Listeners
Odd Lots
1,902 Listeners
How I Built This with Guy Raz
30,230 Listeners
The Strong Towns Podcast
426 Listeners
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
45 Listeners
Upzoned
155 Listeners
The Journal.
6,072 Listeners
Fiction - Comedy Fiction
6,444 Listeners
Morning Brew Daily
3,003 Listeners
The Walker Webcast
151 Listeners
Moody's Talks - Inside Economics
316 Listeners
The Leading Ladies of Economic Development
4 Listeners