September 08, 2025

189: How North Dakota Gets Deals Done with Rich Garman

26 minutes

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Rich Garman, Director of Economic Development and Finance at the North Dakota Department of Commerce, to explore how North Dakota’s unique scale and culture enable fast, collaborative economic development. Rich highlights the benefits of a close-knit network where “everybody knows everybody,” the ability to push projects forward at breakneck speed, and the importance of trust and reputation in such a small state. Listeners will come away with insights into what makes North Dakota’s approach distinctive and how lessons from the state’s nimbleness can inspire economic developers everywhere.

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Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

Build tight relationships across agencies to speed project approvals.

Use small-scale networks to your advantage: connect decision-makers quickly.

Develop a reputation for trustworthiness--bad actors get noticed fast.

Create systems where a single text or call can move a project forward.

Prioritize collaboration over silos; success requires every stakeholder.

Emphasize speed to prospective investors--it's a competitive advantage.

Highlight cultural strengths (community-mindedness, shared goals) in pitches.

Streamline processes wherever possible; eliminate "waiting on someone's desk."

Recognize the risk of reputation spread--protect your credibility at all costs.

Translate small-state agility lessons into big-state or regional contexts.