In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Lakey Boyd, Chief Economic Officer at the Greater Baltimore Committee, to explore the unique strengths and opportunities of the Baltimore region. From its historical assets and waterfront livability to the challenges of shifting national perceptions, Lakey shares insights on regional collaboration, economic drivers, and how Greater Baltimore is positioning itself for future growth.

(Sorry about my audio quality. Don't worry: Lakey's is great.)

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Special Guest: Lakey Boyd.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.

Links:

• Greater Baltimore Committee
• Lakey Boyd, AICP, CEcD | LinkedIn

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson talks with Stacie LoVan, Senior Vice President of Economic Development at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, about the transformative power of collaboration in economic development. Stacie shares how Greater Des Moines has built a culture of regional cooperation, implemented workforce and quality-of-life initiatives, and set bold goals for 2025. Their conversation highlights best practices that other communities can adopt, from aligning diverse stakeholders to creating momentum through shared vision. Whether you’re a veteran practitioner or new to the field, this episode offers actionable strategies for strengthening your own community through collaboration.

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Special Guest: Stacie Lovan.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.

Links:

• Greater Des Moines Partnership: LinkedIn
• Greater Des Moines Partnership - YouTube
• Stacie LoVan | LinkedIn

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with John Lynn, co-founder and managing partner of Quay Acceleration, to explore how public-sector-backed accelerators are reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape. They discuss the shift from private, investor-focused models to community-centered programs funded by economic development organizations, the unique benefits these accelerators provide to entrepreneurs, and how communities can measure success beyond ROI. John shares real-world examples, including a retail storefront accelerator in Manhattan, insights into evolving capital markets, and his vision for the future of entrepreneurship in an ever-changing economy.

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Special Guest: John Lynn.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.

Links:

• Quay Acceleration
• John Lynn | LinkedIn
• EIR Live | All Episodes
• Here's How to Get Your Startup Into Accelerator Element 46 - Business Insider

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson interviews Andrew Miller, a multi-faceted leader who serves as CEO of both the United Way of Skagit County and Tulip Valley Farms, as well as commissioner at Skagit PUD. Miller shares his unique journey from working at major tech companies like Amazon to returning home to Skagit County as an economic developer, only to eventually become the entrepreneur he had been encouraging others to be. The conversation explores the challenges economic developers face when advocating for entrepreneurship and innovation, the resistance to change in established systems, and Miller's decision to "walk the walk" by purchasing a farm business when others wouldn't take the leap.

Special Guest: Andrew Miller.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.

Links:

• Andrew Miller | LinkedIn
• Tulip Valley Farms
• The Colorblind Tulip Farmer - YouTube
• Tulip Valley Farm | TikTok
• Tulip Valley Farms | Facebook
• tulipvalleyfarms | Instagram
• Ep. 376: Destination Marketing Insights From a Colorblind Tulip Farmer with Andrew Miller - YouTube
• How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton M. Christensen

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson welcomes back Ilana Preuss, founder and CEO of Recast City, for a follow-up conversation four years after her initial appearance on the show. Preuss shares insights on how economic development has evolved and discusses her methodology for helping communities identify and support small-scale manufacturing businesses. The conversation explores how economic developers can create meaningful change with relatively modest investments by focusing on local assets, engaging directly with community members and business owners, and implementing targeted strategies that respond to actual community needs rather than pursuing expensive business recruitment projects.

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Special Guest: Ilana Preuss.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.

Links:

• Ilana Preuss | LinkedIn
• Recast City LLC
• Recast Your City: How to Save Your Downtown with Small-Scale Manufacturing by Ilana Preuss
• Recast Your City

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Jason El Koubi, President and CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, to explore the intersection of analytical thinking and economic development leadership.

Jason discusses how his engineering background shapes his systems-thinking approach to economic development, the value of hiring talent from competitive states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Ohio, and the importance of continuous learning in the profession.

He emphasizes the critical role of passion, ethics, and effective communication in economic development work, while sharing insights from his recent 360-degree evaluation and his commitment to ensuring positive economic growth across all regions of Virginia.

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Special Guest: Jason El Koubi.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.

Links:

• Jason El Koubi | LinkedIn
• Virginia Economic Development Partnership
• Virginia Economic Development Partnership | LinkedIn

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson speaks with Shani Coleman, Director of Community and Economic Development for Clark County, Nevada, about the economic transformation happening beyond the famous Las Vegas Strip.

Coleman shares insights into how professional sports teams, including the Raiders, Golden Knights, and upcoming MLB team, are driving a new sports innovation economy.

She discusses the county's five-year-old economic development department, their focus on small business support, the challenges of federal land ownership, and how California's regulatory environment is driving business migration to Nevada.

The conversation covers everything from hotel rooms of the future at Harry Reid Tech Park to plans for advanced manufacturing in areas near the proposed second airport.

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Special Guest: Shani Coleman.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.

Links:

• Shani Coleman | LinkedIn
• Clark County OCED
• Clark County leader: Even as economy recovers, diversifying remains paramount

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson sits down with Kevin Crowder, author of "Red Tape Empire" and publisher of Street Economics Daily, to explore the intersection of fiction and reality in economic development.

Crowder shares the inspiration behind his novel, which tells the story of a woman returning to revitalize her family business while battling bureaucratic obstacles, a narrative rooted in his real experiences working in Miami Beach development.

The conversation delves into pivotal moments like the 1986 Calvin Klein campaign that transformed South Beach from European catalog shoots to a celebrity fashion destination, illustrating how strategic exposure can unlock a city's hidden potential.

Crowder emphasizes the ongoing challenges economic developers face, from navigating red tape to managing the tension between preserving the status quo and embracing transformative change.

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Special Guest: Kevin Crowder.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.

Links:

• Kevin Crowder, EDP | LinkedIn
• BusinessFlare
• Red Tape Empire: You can't beat city hall until you have nothing left to lose by Kevin Crowder
• Kevin Crowder (@businessflareofficial) • Instagram
• Kevin Crowder, CEcD (@BusinessFlare) / X
• All of Kevin's books

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with April Mason, president and founder of Violet PR, a boutique public relations agency specializing in economic development. April explains the difference between earned and paid media, sharing how editorial coverage can be worth five to seven times more valuable than advertising because of its inherent credibility.

The conversation covers newsjacking techniques, where PR professionals quickly tie current news events to their clients' stories, and explores how economic development PR differs from consumer-focused campaigns by focusing on business trends, tax incentives, and workforce development rather than lifestyle content.

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Special Guest: April Mason.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.

Links:

• Top Boutique PR Firm Rebrands: We Write the Future | Violet PR
• Violet PR | Boutique Public Relations Agency for Economic Development

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson interviews Sophia Zheng, Founder and CEO of Bludot Technologies, a startup initially incubated through a unique collaboration with a city’s economic development department.

Sophia explains how Bludot’s innovative platform helps more than 150 communities across the U.S. and Canada retain and expand local businesses through advanced data analytics and digital incentives. She dives into the successful Open Rewards program, a community-wide shop-local initiative, and explores how technologies like AI could further enhance business retention and expansion strategies. Sophia also highlights Bludot’s achievements, including recognition in Govtech 100 and AWS GovtechStart, as well as USDA NIFA grants for supporting rural economic development.

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Special Guest: Sophia Zheng.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.

Links:

• Sophia Zheng | LinkedIn
• Bludot | Business Retention & Economic Development
• Blog | Bludot Economic Development Platform
• City Beat: Rewards For Local Shoppers In Las Vegas - YouTube
• Bludot Technologies Inc.: Posts | LinkedIn