In this episode, Dennis is joined by Chris Lloyd from the McGuireWoods Consulting infrastructure and economic development team. Dennis and Chris discuss best practices for responding to RFPs and the intangibles that can prevent a community from being considered for a project.

Chris Lloyd leads the McGuireWoods Consulting infrastructure and economic development team, where he specializes in site selection and negotiations for economic development incentives. Since 1998, Chris has worked on dozens of high-profile corporate expansions and relocations across the country. Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Chris served for nearly five years in the Office of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade under Virginia Governors Allen and Wilder. Chris is also a past chair of the Site Selectors Guild.

Chris has also worked closely with clients on numerous public-private partnership projects for transportation and other infrastructure, and played a leading role in the development and passage of Virginia's public-private partnership laws, which have since become model legislation for use in other states.

In this episode, Dennis talks about the frustrations of dealing with issues and projects that are beyond your direct control. What do you do when quiet diplomacy fails, and entities are determined to engage in behavior detrimental to the area you live and work in?

In this episode, Dennis explores the power of the unexpected compliment. Too often, we quickly criticize and forget to tell the people in our lives how much we appreciate them. Take a deep breath and unleash the power of the unexpected compliment.

In this episode, Dennis shares his thoughts on the 2024 IEDC Annual Conference that was held in Denver.

In this episode, Dennis laments how the seeds of distrust have been sown in our election process and how that distrust affects even local elections. Why is it so hard to disagree and still respect each other's opinions?

Mark Perna joins Dennis to discuss the power of saying no. Sometimes, saying no is the best strategy. Dennis and Mark talk about how and why to say no.

Dennis is joined by third-generation magician and award-winning entertainer Dennis Watkins from the Magic Parlour in Chicago. Dennis and his wife attended a show at the Magic Parlour, and Dennis was so impressed he asked magician Dennis Watkins to join him on an episode of Develop This! Listen in for a fascinating discussion of the behind-the-scenes world of magic and discover how economic development is like magic!

In this episode, Denis is joined by James Hoelscher, CEcD (Course Director) for The Heartland Economic Development Course (HEDC) and the Program Manager at the University of Northern Iowa's Institute for Decision Making. Dennis and James discuss the basic economic development courses and how they vary around the county. IEDC lists 25 basic economic development courses on its website.

The Heartland Economic Development Course (HEDC) offers intensive training in the basic concepts, information, methods, and strategies of local economic development. A diverse and experienced faculty, composed of both academicians and practitioners, gives an excellent blend of theory and practice. Graduation from HEDC fulfills one of the education prerequisites for those who wish to take examinations for Certified Economic Development (CEcD) designation.

Heartland 2025 is held at the Adams Pointe Conference Center in Blue Springs, MO, from April 29th through May 2nd. An evening reception is held the night prior on the 28th at the Conference Center. The format consists of interactive presentations, panels, and discussions facilitated by Heartland's expert faculty.

March 29 or April 5 (must attend one)

8:00 a.m. Strategic Planning for Economic Development

April 22

4-7 p.m. Optional evening reception and course check-in at the Adams Pointe Conference Center

April 23

7:00 a.m. Course Registration

8 a.m. Course opening

Managing an EDO

Ethics in Economic Development (Part 1)

Workforce Development & Talent Attraction

Networking Dinner!

April 24

Entrepreneurship

Economic Development Financing

Neighborhood/Community Development/Main Street (community tours)

KC Dinner & Networking!

April 25

7 a.m. Professional Development Pathways (optional)

Real Estate Development

Ethics (part 2)

Business Retention & Expansion (tour and mock BRE interview)

Dinner on your own

April 26

Understanding Site Selection

Responding to an RFI

State Partner Association Member:

$995.00

Non-Member:

$1,095.00

James Hoelscher, CEcD (Course Director)

Dennis is joined by Kirk Garton, program director of OUEDI - OU Economic Development Institute. OUEDI alumnus Dennis discusses the OUEDI curriculum and the process of completing the classes, which are available online and in person.

OU EDI Core Requirements

OU EDI has aligned its curriculum to meet the education standards and requirements set by the IEDC Education and Certification Committees. These committees and OU EDI have identified three core areas considered to be the building blocks of economic development: Business Retention and Expansion (BRE), Real Estate, and Credit Analysis.

Each OU EDI Participant Must Study these Three Core Areas by Completing the Following Courses:

Business Retention and Expansion (16 hours)

Real Estate Development and Reuse (16 hours)

Economic Development Credit Analysis (24 hours)

OU EDI Elective Requirements

In addition to the core areas, OU EDI has developed a curriculum intended to give the participants a broad-based education and to develop the skills necessary to be successful economic developers, while simultaneously covering four of the topic areas necessary to prepare for IEDC's CEcD certification exam.

Economic Development Marketing and Attraction

Economic Development Strategic Planning

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development Strategies

Managing Economic Development Organizations

Community and Neighborhood Development

Workforce Development

OU EDI and IEDC have worked closely to ensure that OU EDI graduates will have fulfilled the necessary classroom contact hours in the three core areas and the elective areas of concentration to satisfy the education requirements necessary to sit for the CEcD exam.

Enjoy this classic Develop This! episode from 2021

Develop This! will be back next week with an all-new episode

Are you new to the business of economic and community development and wondering how to get started?

Whether you are brand new to the business or a seasoned economic developer looking to get back to basics, this episode is for you. Dennis and Jason share the 7 rules you need to follow to have early success in your career.