Research shows that the largest segment of our population entering the workforce is unemployed or underemployed adults seeking new career opportunities. In this episode, we delve into the subsets of our population and reveal how companies can identify transferrable skills to meet their workforce needs.

Christine serves as the Workforce innovation coordinator for Eastern Iowa Community College.

Connect with Christine Caves

Economic and community development is a team sport, and the team can make or break an organization.

How do you get everyone on the same page?  The team retreat.

In this episode, Jason and Dennis discuss the importance of kicking off the team retreat the right way.  Set expectations, get the conversation flowing, and lead some team building activities.

The goal is to get people to break out of their shell, participate, and fully engage in the day.

Their business is boxes, but in this interview, Big River Packaging’s Kip Simpson reveals the power of positive company culture, excellence in customer service, and offers tips on transparency. Kip joined the Big River Packaging team in 2005 and introduced the company to the world through dynamic social media outreach and digital advertising. 

“It will be really weird for someone’s ego to eclipse a potential solution to a problem.”

Connect with Kip Simpson

Your favorite podcasters are celebrating with their families this week, so please enjoy this encore episode.

Citizens Against Virtually Everything Critics Not In My Backyarders

How should you handle these folks in your community?

In this episode, Dennis and Jason discuss the difference between constructive criticism and the politics of destruction.  Learn from some great examples of dealing with local critics.

Your favorite podcasters are celebrating with their families this week, so please enjoy this encore episode from one of the very first shows.

In this episode, Dennis and Jason discuss the merits of securing options as a development strategy.  In addition, they share food for thought when expanding your community's inventory of shovel-ready sites.

Your favorite podcasters are celebrating with their families this week, so please enjoy this encore episode from one of the very first shows.

There is nothing worse than attending a poorly run meeting.  Dennis shares his quick tips and tricks for holding more effective meetings.

Your favorite podcasters are celebrating with their families this week, so please enjoy this encore episode.

Axioms are statements which are regarded as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true.

Ron Kitchens with Southwest Michigan First is back to share 12 axioms his organization has adopted and is graciously willing to share them with you.

In this episode, Dennis goes through each of them in this inspiring episode.

For More on Ron Kitchens

During the Mid America EDC conference in Downtown Chicago, Jason caught up with outgoing board president Janice Karcher (Chief Engagement Officer at DEFENSEWERX) and incoming board president Kyle Adams (Vice President of RDC National, Inc.) to talk about the transition in leadership including:

-Why it is important to give back to the profession -The value of belonging to a multi-state economic development association -Why economic development professionals should consider attending this conference in the future

Janice Karcher

Kyle Adams

Mid America EDC

What happens if your industrial park is located outside of an opportunity zone?  Keith Gillenwater, President & CEO of Grow Wabash, says you have to get creative.

In this episode, Keith is back with Jason on-site at the Mid America EDC Conference in Downtown Chicago to talk about getting creative when pulling together an economic development deal.

More About Keith Gillenwater

Grow Wabash

Mid America EDC

How can you grow your population against demographic headwaters?  Keith Gillenwater is the President & CEO of Grow Wabash, the economic development organization serving Wabash County, Indiana.

Keith was live on site at the Mid America EDC Conference in Downtown Chicago earlier this month.

Jason caught up with Keith to talk population strategies, chamber and economic development group mergers, and more.

More About Keith Gillenwater

Grow Wabash

Mid America EDC