Develop This: Economic and Community Development

In celebration of Small Business Week, this episode of Develop This! takes a closer look at the businesses that are often small in size but powerful in impact: microbusinesses.

Friend of the show, Erik Reader brings Marci Goodwin, co-founder of SmartStart to speak with Joi Cuartero Austin for a conversation about why communities should pay closer attention to solopreneurs, makers, freelancers, consultants, pop-up vendors, home-based businesses, side hustlers, and gig workers. Together, they explore how these "smaller" businesses contribute to local economies, build community identity, create flexible income opportunities, and represent a growing part of the future workforce.

The conversation reframes Small Business Week as "Smaller Business Week", a celebration of the people who are creating their own opportunities, testing ideas, building income streams, and thinking entrepreneurially, whether or not they ever plan to open a storefront or hire a team.

This episode also challenges economic developers, Main Street leaders, chambers, and community partners to think differently about business support. As work continues to change, communities may need to better recognize that entrepreneurship is not only about business ownership, it is also about skills, adaptability, creativity, and economic self-determination.

Small Business Week is a time to celebrate local businesses, but this episode widens the lens to include the smallest businesses in our communities, the ones that may not always be visible, but are increasingly important to local economies and the future of work.

What does it take to build economies that are truly inclusive—and built for long-term impact?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Philip Gaskin to explore his diverse career spanning the private sector, entrepreneurship, and community development—and how those experiences shape his approach to economic transformation today.

Philip shares how lessons from the private sector can directly inform economic development strategy, especially when it comes to innovation, ecosystem building, and driving measurable community impact. The conversation also highlights the importance of addressing systemic barriers that limit access to capital and opportunity in underserved communities.

A key focus is the role of economic developers as connectors—bridging policy, private sector insight, and community needs to build stronger, more resilient local economies.

The discussion also touches on Kansas City's evolving economic landscape and how regional ecosystems can serve as powerful models for inclusive growth and entrepreneurial support.

Key Takeaways

• Private sector experience can strengthen economic development strategy

• Inclusive growth requires addressing access to capital and opportunity gaps

• Economic developers play a key role in policy and collaboration

• Strong ecosystems drive innovation and community transformation

• Kansas City offers a model for regional economic growth

• Continuous transformation is essential for long-term impact

Key Topics Covered

• Private sector lessons for economic development

• Community and economic transformation

• Inclusive entrepreneurship and access to capital

• Role of economic developers in policy and collaboration

• Kansas City's ecosystem and growth model

Sound Bites

• "Crazy times call for crazy organizations"

• "Communities need to embrace their potential"

• "Continual work on transforming communities"

How did Lithuania transform itself into one of Europe's fastest-rising investment and innovation hubs?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Rūta Kriščiūnaitė from Invest Lithuania to explore the country's remarkable economic evolution and growing global influence.

From FinTech and global business services to defense and data centers, Lithuania has positioned itself as a competitive destination for high-value investment. Ruta explains how the country's strategic location, modern infrastructure, and business-friendly environment continue to attract international companies and talent.

A major focus of the conversation is workforce development. Lithuania's emphasis on upskilling, talent attraction, and strong collaboration between government, education, and industry has helped fuel growth across emerging sectors.

The discussion also dives into Lithuania's rise as a FinTech powerhouse, supported by forward-thinking regulation and licensing frameworks that helped the country become one of the EU's leading FinTech ecosystems.

Energy independence and renewable energy investments are also reshaping the country's long-term strategy, while defense manufacturing and innovation are emerging as major priorities in response to shifting geopolitical realities.

A key takeaway? Lithuania's success comes from its willingness to evolve, test new industries, and invest strategically in future growth sectors.

Key Takeaways

• Lithuania has become a major hub for FinTech, business services, and innovation

• Workforce upskilling and talent attraction are central to growth strategy

• Strategic regulation helped accelerate FinTech development

• Renewable energy and energy independence are key priorities

• Defense is becoming an increasingly important strategic industry

• Long-term growth depends on continuously testing and developing new sectors

Key Topics Covered

• Lithuania's geographic and infrastructure advantages

• The role of Invest Lithuania in economic development

• Workforce development and talent strategies

• FinTech growth and regulatory innovation

• Renewable energy and energy independence

• Defense industry investments and future sectors

Sound Bites

• "Defense is the new strategic industry for Lithuania."

• "Lithuania signed a deal to purchase 44 Leopard tanks."

• "Testing new industries is crucial for future growth."

What makes a country stand out in the global race for investment?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Fadi Shadeh of the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency to explore why Hungary has become one of Central Europe's most dynamic investment destinations.

From its strategic location at the heart of Europe to its deep integration into the EU single market, Hungary offers companies access to major markets, efficient logistics, and strong infrastructure. Fadi explains how the country's positioning enables fast access across Europe while supporting complex global supply chains.

The conversation dives into Hungary's economic transformation, particularly its shift toward higher-value industries like electromobility, battery manufacturing, business services, and R&D. While manufacturing remains a strong base, the country is rapidly expanding its role in advanced services and innovation-driven sectors.

A major focus is workforce development. With a strong university network and a dual education system that connects students directly with industry, Hungary is building a talent pipeline designed to meet modern business needs—often producing job-ready graduates aligned with employer demand.

Fadi also breaks down how the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency operates as a "one-stop shop" for investors—helping companies navigate location decisions, incentives, site visits, and long-term expansion strategies.

Key Takeaways

• Hungary's central location provides strong access to European and global markets

• The economy is shifting toward electromobility, batteries, and business services

• Talent development is supported through a strong university system and dual education model

• The Investment Promotion Agency acts as a one-stop shop for investors

• Regional cities are becoming key drivers of future growth

• Investment success depends on talent, infrastructure, and long-term trust

Key Topics Covered

• Hungary's geographic and strategic advantages

• Economic transformation and industry mix

What are the new rules shaping where major industrial projects choose to land?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Courtney Dunbar, Director of Site Selection at Burns & McDonnell, to unpack how technology, geopolitics, and infrastructure demands are reshaping modern site selection.

Courtney breaks down how today's location decisions are being influenced far beyond traditional cost factors. From energy availability to geopolitical stability, companies are weighing risks and long-term resilience more heavily than ever before.

A major focus of the conversation is infrastructure—especially power. As industries like battery manufacturing and advanced manufacturing expand, access to reliable, scalable energy has become a critical deal-maker (or deal-breaker).

The discussion also explores the evolution of "site readiness," highlighting why master planning and strategic preparation of industrial sites delivers high returns for communities competing for investment.

Courtney emphasizes that success in site selection today comes down to one thing: building a strong, defensible business case that aligns with industry needs, infrastructure realities, and long-term growth potential.

Key Takeaways

• Site selection is increasingly shaped by technology, geopolitics, and infrastructure

• Power availability is a critical driver of industrial investment decisions

• Battery manufacturing is growing beyond EV applications

• Master-planned, shovel-ready sites offer a strong competitive advantage

• Communities must understand and clearly communicate site limitations

• Strong business cases are essential to winning projects

Key Topics Covered

• Technological change in site selection

• Geopolitical impacts on location decisions

• Energy infrastructure and industrial demand

• Battery manufacturing trends

• Site readiness and community strategy

Sound Bites

• "Battery manufacturing is growing, but not primarily for EVs."

• "Master planning sites is a high ROI investment."

• "Success depends on building a strong business case."

How much does what you wear actually shape how you're perceived—and how you perform?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise is joined by Dan Trepanier, founder of Articles of Style, to explore his journey from a farm in Canada to becoming a leading voice in men's fashion and personal styling.

Dan breaks down the fundamentals of building a professional wardrobe, emphasizing why fit, quality, and intention matter more than trends. He also shares how personalized style can directly influence confidence, presence, and career success.

The conversation explores the shift toward more casual dress codes, and why understanding how to adapt your style across different professional environments is still a critical skill.

A core takeaway? Your wardrobe is a form of communication—and when done right, it sends the message you actually want the world to receive.

Key Takeaways

• Fit and quality matter more than trends in wardrobe building

• Custom clothing can significantly improve confidence and presentation

• Personal style influences perception and professional success

• Casual fashion has changed expectations—but not the need for intention

• A cohesive wardrobe starts with clarity and purpose

Key Topics Covered

• Dan Trepanier's journey from farm to fashion expert

• Building a wardrobe from scratch

• The value of custom clothing and fit

• Dressing well and its impact on confidence

• Adapting style to professional environments

Sound Bites

• "Creating my own personal brand early on"

• "Your wardrobe should send the right message"

• "Start with custom clothing for the best fit"

What does it take for a legacy industrial city to reinvent itself into a modern growth hub?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise is joined by Trevor Sutton to explore Birmingham's ongoing economic transformation and the strategies shaping its future.

From major wins like the Fannie Mae project to the continued rise of life sciences and metals industries, Birmingham is positioning itself as a diversified and competitive regional economy. Trevor breaks down how strategic investment, infrastructure, and workforce alignment are driving that shift.

A major focus of the conversation is workforce development—specifically how the region is working to align education, training, and industry needs to retain talent and support long-term growth.

The discussion also highlights a broader truth in economic development: strong economies don't exist in isolation. Regional collaboration, quality of life, and coordinated planning are all essential to attracting and keeping major employers.

A key takeaway? Birmingham's growth story is less about reinvention and more about intentional alignment across industry, talent, and region.

Key Takeaways

• Birmingham is evolving into a diversified, modern regional economy

• Major projects like Fannie Mae are reshaping regional momentum

• Workforce development is central to talent retention and growth

• Regional collaboration is critical to long-term competitiveness

• Industry diversity and quality of life must be balanced strategically

Key Topics Covered

• Birmingham's economic transformation

• The Fannie Mae project and regional impact

• Workforce development and talent retention

• Industry diversification and quality of life

• Regional collaboration and infrastructure

Sound Bites

• "Strong economies are regional economies"

• "Coffee shops and breweries are overhyped"

• "Birmingham is a true life sciences hub"

What's really driving global location decisions today?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise sits down with Johan Beukema of BCI Global to unpack the shifting landscape of site selection and investment strategy.

From AI and data centers to supply chain resilience, Johan explains how companies are rethinking where they invest—and why. As decentralization accelerates, talent and strong ecosystems are becoming just as important as cost.

The conversation also highlights a key shift: "soft factors" like workforce quality, innovation networks, and livability are now critical differentiators in competitive markets.

A core takeaway? Communities need to clearly define their strengths and align with the right opportunities to stay competitive.

Key Takeaways

• Lower-cost locations are gaining ground

• Talent and ecosystems now rival cost in decision-making

• AI and data centers are reshaping site selection

• Supply chain resilience remains a top priority

• Clear positioning is critical for competitiveness

Key Topics Covered

• Global location strategy shifts

• AI and data centers in site selection

• Decentralization and regional trends

• Talent and ecosystem importance

• Supply chain resilience

Sound Bites

• "Lower cost locations have climbed up the ladder."

• "Focus on soft factors, not just real estate."

• "Define project profiles to benchmark your location."

How is economic development evolving in a world shaped by rapid technological change?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise sits down with Alejandra Y. Castillo to explore how regional strategies, emerging technologies, and workforce development are redefining the field.

From AI to quantum computing, Alejandra breaks down how innovation is influencing where and how communities grow. She emphasizes the importance of infrastructure, regional collaboration, and staying grounded in a global context that continues to shape local decisions.

Workforce development is a central theme, with a focus on building skills across all levels—from technical expertise to entrepreneurship and AI literacy.

A key message? Communities that align technology, talent, and strategy will be best positioned for long-term success.

Key Takeaways

• Global context is shaping local economic decisions

• Emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing are driving change

• Regional strategies and infrastructure are critical

• Workforce development must span all skill levels

• Innovation and talent alignment are key to competitiveness

Key Topics Covered

• Evolution of economic development practices

• Impact of emerging technologies

• Regional strategies and infrastructure

• Workforce development and future skills

• Global and national considerations

Sound Bites

• "Global context impacts our decisions today"

• "We need skills across the spectrum"

• "AI literacy and entrepreneurship are key"

In this inspiring episode of Develop This!, host Dennis Fraise sits down with Mark C. Perna to explore the power of bold thinking, visionary leadership, and rallying people around big ideas. Drawing on their shared fascination with the Apollo program, they unpack how the audacity of aiming for the moon transformed not just science—but an entire generation's mindset.

From the iconic leadership behind the Apollo 11 Moon Landing to the forward-looking ambitions of the Artemis Program, this conversation connects the dots between space exploration and the work economic developers do every day: building momentum, inspiring communities, and executing bold visions.

Mark and Dennis reflect on cultural touchpoints, childhood wonder, and even the small details—yes, including Tang—that made space exploration feel personal and powerful.

If you're working to energize your community, align stakeholders, or inspire the next generation, this episode offers a compelling reminder: big progress starts with big ideas.

Takeaway

The moon landing wasn't just a technological achievement—it was a masterclass in leadership, collaboration, and belief. For today's economic and community developers, the lesson is clear: when you set bold goals and invite others into the vision, you create momentum that can move mountains… or even reach the moon.