June 30, 2025

180: Red Tape, Real Stories, and Economic Revival with Kevin Crowder

45 minutes

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.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

Identify your community's hidden assets that could attract new audiences if properly exposed

Use storytelling and fiction to process and share complex development experiences in relatable ways

Look for strategic partnerships with creative industries (fashion, film, media) to showcase your location

Document and learn from pivotal moments that transformed other communities for replication strategies

Develop the political will and stakeholder buy-in necessary to move beyond status quo thinking

Anticipate and plan for resistance from established interests when proposing transformative changes

Focus on "exposure" opportunities that can shift perceptions and attract new investment

Build relationships with entrepreneurs who can see potential where others see problems

Create accessible content (newsletters, social media) to share development insights with broader audiences

Recognize that successful economic development requires both strategic vision and the force of will to execute despite obstacles

Special Guest: Kevin Crowder.