Although Jack Gottfried, EDA Planner with the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission, is in the early stages of his career, he is not afraid of big projects.

His regional organization tasked him with the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) as one of his very first projects.

Tune in as Jason asks him about planning, gaining confidence, and the Bob Ady Scholarship program.

This episode was recorded on site at the Mid-America EDC Conference

More About Jack Gottfried - UMVRDC

Mid-America Economic Development Council

Bob Ady Scholarship Program

In this episode, Jason interviews Nathan Schneider, CEcD, Vice President at Bismark Mandan Chamber EDC in North Dakota.  They talk people attraction, the value of wide open spaces, outdoor recreation, and placemaking. 

In particular, Nathan draws a clear distinction between the terms 'quality of life' and 'placemaking'.

This episode was recorded on site at the Mid-America EDC Conference.

Mid-America Economic Development Council

Connect with Nathan Schneider

Jeff Finkle, the International Economic Development Council's leader for its entire existance, will soon be retiring from the organization.

In part two of this short series, Dennis turns Jeff's attention to the future.  They talk diversity and inclusion, AI, training, and bold predictions.

More about the International Economic Development Council

Connect with Jeff Finkle

Jeff Finkle, the International Economic Development Council's leader for its entire existance, will soon be retiring from the organization.

In this episode, Dennis asks Jeff to reflect on his career beginning with a look back at the formation of IEDC.  They talk leadership, board dynamics, disaster recovery and more.

You won't want to miss this show.

More about the International Economic Development Council

Connect with Jeff Finkle

We have all heard of the Great Resignation, but what does that phrase really mean?  Is it possible for employers to respond with the Great Pivot?

In this episode, Dennis brings back resident workforce expert Mark Perna to discuss the year ahead and answer the question: where have all the people gone?

Mark your calendar NOW for these upcoming events:

EDUCATION WITH PURPOSE: CALL TO ACTION LIVESTREAM (March 9, 2022)

EDUCATION WITH PURPOSE: TAKE ACTION CONFERENCE (September 21-22, 2022 in Cleveland, OH)

To register and find out more, head to Education with Purpose - 2022 Take Action Conference

Connect with Mark Perna

Mark Perna Bio

Mark C. Perna is the founder and CEO of TFS Results, a full-service strategic communications and consulting firm at the forefront of the national paradigm shift in education and workforce development. As an international generational expert, Mark has devoted his career to empowering educators and employers to unleash the tremendous potential of today’s young people.

Mark, who serves on the Advisory Council for the Coalition for Career Development in Washington, DC, has helped countless parents, schools, districts, businesses, and state organizations across North America to connect more effectively with the younger generations. He delivers more than 70 virtual and in-person keynote speeches annually and spoke at Harvard University by special invitation

At Forbes.com, Mark publishes articles as a weekly contributor and records monthly Leadership videos produced in partnership with the Forbes editorial team. He has published many op-eds in national publications and interviews frequently on radio shows, television, and podcasts. Every weekday, he hosts the 90-second Perna Syndicate micro-podcast covering insights on education, careers, and workforce development. His award-winning bestseller, Answering Why: Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generations, was written to help educators, employers, and parents understand and motivate the millennial and Z generations.

At TFS Results, Mark’s team of talented professionals share his vision of making a bigger difference in education and workforce development. With industry-leading products like the Career Tree® and EnrollTrack and an array of in-person and virtual professional development solutions, TFS Results is working to reshape the future of education in America. The company proudly partners with schools, colleges, businesses, and statewide organizations across North America to help them experience significant gains in enrollment, engagement, retention, and performance rates.

In this episode, Jason interviews Garrett Anderson, Economic Development Director for the City of Woodstock, IL.  Garrett is a self-proclaimed data nerd, and they talk incentives, demographics, economic development plans and recovery act funds.

As we know, billions in ARPA funds will be flowing to local governments.  How should communities and adjacent jurisdictions determine the highest and best use of these dollars?  Garrett shares his community's process for project evaluation and the interplay that could come with the county's portion of the funds.

The show was recorded live, on-site at the Mid-America EDC Best Practices conference.

To view the economic development plan for the City of Woodstock as mentioned in the show, click here.

Connect with Garrett Anderson

Mid-America Economic Development Council

 

What are the tricks to leading a professional association as a volunteer board member?

In this episode, Jason interviews Karl Franzen and Agnes Masnik who both serve as the Illinois representatives on the Mid-America EDC board of directors.  They discuss board dynamics, volunteer leadership, staying relevant, and so much more - recorded on site at the Mid-America EDC Conference.

Show Guests:

Karl Franzen, Director of Community and Economic Development, City of Rockford, IL

Agnes Masnik, Illinois Department of Commerce & Opportunity

Mid-America Economic Development Council

What is the value in attending an economic development conference?  That depends on how you decide to work it.

There can be far more to a conference than simply attending the sessions and taking a few notes.

In this episode, Dennis and Jason share 5 great ways to maximize your time at an industry conference.

This week's episode sponsored by Convergent Nonprofit Solutions.

 

If you could simplify the tagline for your community's improvement strategy, it could be this: have more cool shit.

That's the message from John Hall, President/CEO of the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce.

It doesn't have to be complicated.

In this episode, Jason caught up with John at the Mid-America EDC conference.  As communities, we must be able to differentiate ourselves in this war for talent.  At the end of the day, people want to live in a community where there is cool shit to do.  This simple messaging strategy resonates with the entrepreneurs and visionaries alike.

Connect with John Hall

Mid-America Economic Development Council

In this episode, Lenora Fisher, Director of Business Attraction at the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council joins Jason live at the Mid-America EDC conference to talk all things related to regional business attraction strategies.

They talk property inventory, debate whether or not the term 'Shovel-Ready' is outdated, and discuss some unique strategies being deployed in the Peoria area.

Show Links:

Connect with Lenora Fisher

More about Greater Peoria Economic Development Council

Mid-America Economic Development Council