In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson sits down with Kevin Crowder, author of "Red Tape Empire" and publisher of Street Economics Daily, to explore the intersection of fiction and reality in economic development.

Crowder shares the inspiration behind his novel, which tells the story of a woman returning to revitalize her family business while battling bureaucratic obstacles, a narrative rooted in his real experiences working in Miami Beach development.

The conversation delves into pivotal moments like the 1986 Calvin Klein campaign that transformed South Beach from European catalog shoots to a celebrity fashion destination, illustrating how strategic exposure can unlock a city's hidden potential.

Crowder emphasizes the ongoing challenges economic developers face, from navigating red tape to managing the tension between preserving the status quo and embracing transformative change.

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Special Guest: Kevin Crowder.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.

Links:

• Kevin Crowder, EDP | LinkedIn
• BusinessFlare
• Red Tape Empire: You can't beat city hall until you have nothing left to lose by Kevin Crowder
• Kevin Crowder (@businessflareofficial) • Instagram
• Kevin Crowder, CEcD (@BusinessFlare) / X
• All of Kevin's books