In this episode of The New Economic Developers on the Block, we sit down with Nate Groover, Economic Development Director for the Town of Garner. Nate brings a unique perspective shaped by years of experience across every level of economic development—state, regional, local, and private-sector—plus a foundation built in the U.S. Air Force.

We explore how those roles shaped his approach to economic development, what it means to “work with what you have,” and how Garner is building momentum through strategic partnerships and community assets. Nate also shares lessons from earning his NC Certified Economic Developer credential, serving on the NCEDA Board of Directors, and making the leap from business recruitment to on-the-ground implementation.

We also cover lighter topics—like stadium hopping with his kids, the search for the best NC BBQ, and a deep love of Seinfeld.

It’s a grounded, funny, and honest conversation about what it takes to grow a local economy—one relationship at a time.

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In this episode of The New Economic Developers on the Block, we sit down with Nathan Huret, Economic Development Director at Catawba County EDC. With over 15 years of experience, Nathan has led key initiatives like the Catawba Lean Council, Manufactured in NC, the Catawba County Wages & Benefits Survey, and HKY4Vets. He shares insights on building strong partnerships, making programs sustainable, and why persistence is key—even when timing challenges a great idea.

We also take a detour into some behind-the-scenes chaos as Elizabeth runs into some unexpected microphone troubles (and maybe even breaks it). Tune in for a fun, insightful conversation on the realities of making economic development programs work—and the occasional tech mishap along the way.

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In this episode of The New Economic Developers on the Block, we sit down with Ben Kinney, Publisher of Business North Carolina and SouthPark magazines. With a storied career at the helm of award-winning publications that capture the essence of North Carolina’s diverse economy and lifestyle, Ben offers invaluable insights into the ever-changing world of media. He shares practical tips for handling media relations and discusses how the news landscape has transformed during his tenure, reflecting broader shifts in communication and technology. Along the way, we also delve into his love of music and explore how it inspires his creative approach to business and storytelling. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in media evolution, innovative leadership, and the art of blending passion with professionalism.

Subscribe now for more engaging episodes and join us as we continue to explore the cutting edge of economic development and media innovation.

Welcome to another inspiring episode of The New Economic Developers on the Block! This week, we're thrilled to have Joe Melvin, Vice President of North Carolina’s Southeast Regional Economic Development Partnership, join us for a candid conversation about his dynamic career and visionary approach to economic development.

With over 16 years of experience spanning key roles at organizations like the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc., Joe has honed a unique perspective on leadership and innovation. In our discussion, he shares how we can approach economic development with the same passion, care, and intentionality found in a ministry—treating our work with love and commitment to community transformation.

Join us as Joe delves into:

• His career journey and notable achievements, including being recognized as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers.
• The critical role of strategic planning, global marketing, and partnership building in driving successful economic initiatives.
• How adopting a ministry-like mindset can infuse our economic development efforts with compassion and purpose.

Tune in, subscribe, and be inspired by Joe's refreshing outlook on merging economic expertise with a heart-driven approach to community development!

Welcome back to the second season of "The New Economic Developers on the Block" podcast! In this episode, we are excited to have Anna Walker, Economic Development Manager with the NC Electric Cooperatives.

We had an engaging conversation about Anna's journey from being raised in Georgia to finding her place in North Carolina. Anna, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Princeton University, has been with the NC Electric Cooperatives for nearly two years, starting as an Economic Development Specialist and now serving as the Economic Development Manager. We also explored the various programs and grants offered by the NC Electric Cooperatives and delved into the work of the NCEDA Emerging Executives Committee.

Tune in, subscribe, and stay tuned for more insightful discussions this season!

Welcome back to the second season of "The New Economic Developers on the Block" podcast! In this episode, we are thrilled to have Natalie Hawkins, President of the Moore County Economic Development Partnership (MCEDP) and Chair of the Legislative Committee with NCEDA, who also serves on the NCEDA Board of Directors.

We had a fantastic conversation about Natalie's journey from being a CPA to working with the Village of Pinehurst, and now leading the Moore County Economic Development Partnership. We also delved into the crucial work of the Legislative Committee with NCEDA and the significance of the "Take Your Legislator to Work" day.

Natalie joined MCEDP as President in May 2021 after a 20-year career at the Village of Pinehurst, where she served as the Assistant Village Manager. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science degree in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Natalie is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a former Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Tune in, subscribe, and stay tuned for more engaging discussions this season!

Welcome back to the second season of "The New Economic Developers on the Block" podcast! In this episode, we are thrilled to have Kelly Andrews, Director of Pitt County Economic Development, as our guest. Kelly shares her expertise and insights into the economic growth of Pitt County and Greenville, including the monumental success of Project Bluefin, one of the county's largest announcements.

In our conversation, we dive deep into how this project has impacted the region, the strategic planning that went into securing such a significant win, and what it means for the future of Pitt County. Kelly also touches on her journey in economic development, her leadership roles within the community, and the broader economic landscape of Eastern North Carolina.

Tune in, subscribe, and stay tuned for more engaging discussions this season!

Kelly's Bio:
Kelly Andrews is a native and life-long resident of Pitt County. She has been with Pitt County Economic Development since 2006, serving as Director since 2020. Prior to that, she worked for the North Carolina Department of Labor as an apprenticeship and training consultant, covering over 20 counties in Eastern NC.

Kelly became a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) in 2020. She earned an MBA from East Carolina University ('98) and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ('94). She has served on the NCEDA Board of Directors and is currently on the Pitt Community College Board of Trustees and EDPNC Economic Development Advisory Council (EDAC). Additionally, she is involved in several other local and regional boards, including the Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children, ECU Engineering Advisory, and the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce.

Welcome back to the second season of "The New Economic Developers on the Block" podcast! In this episode, we're joined by Samantha Cole, the Child Care Business Liaison for the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Samantha brings a unique perspective on the crucial role of child care in economic development.

Before joining N.C. Commerce, Samantha served as the Director of Workforce Partnerships with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County, where she spearheaded efforts to connect individuals facing employment barriers with meaningful job opportunities. She also helped local employers implement innovative workforce development strategies.

In our conversation, we explore the intersection of child care and economic development, and how economic developers can play a role in expanding access to quality child care to support businesses and families. Samantha offers valuable insights into the challenges and solutions surrounding child care access in North Carolina and shares outcomes from recent child care business roundtables.

Tune in, subscribe, and stay tuned for more engaging discussions this season!

Welcome back to the second season of "The New Economic Developers on the Block" podcast! In this episode, we're joined by Ernie Pearson, Senior Counsel with Maynard Nexsen and founding partner of Sanford Holshouser, Economic Development Consulting. Ernie brings a wealth of experience in economic development, having worked with over one hundred companies and numerous local and regional programs.

We dive into Ernie's impressive career, discussing multi-jurisdictional industrial parks, the differences between shell buildings and ready buildings, and much more. Ernie shares his insights on the creative approaches that lead to successful outcomes for businesses and communities alike. This conversation is packed with valuable knowledge for anyone interested in economic development.

Tune in, subscribe, and stay tuned for more exciting episodes this season!

Welcome back to the second season of "The New Economic Developers on the Block" podcast! We're thrilled to kick off this season with a special guest, Chris Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). In this episode, we have an engaging conversation with Chris about EDPNC and their upcoming tenth-year anniversary. Chris shares his inspiring journey from being a student at Ohio State to leading EDPNC. Tune in for insights, stories, and more. Please listen and subscribe, and stay tuned for an exciting lineup of guests this season!