In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Anders Victor, Director of International Business Development for the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, to explore how the state positions itself as a global powerhouse for foreign direct investment. Anders shares how North Carolina leverages its international offices, partnerships, and workforce strengths to attract companies like Toyota, Siemens, and Roche, while also tackling challenges around product availability, infrastructure, and talent pipelines. From lessons learned in global competition to the importance of mentorship and cultural adaptability, Anders offers practical and inspiring advice for economic developers everywhere

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Special Guest: Anders Victor.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is industrial site selection software for economic developers.

Links:

• Anders Victor, CEcD | LinkedIn

(Due to technical issues, this episode has been reuploaded. My apologies to Jamie and to all our listeners. –Dane)

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson welcomes back Jamie Beasley, who shares her path from chamber leadership to her current role as a Regional Development Specialist in north central Oklahoma.

Jamie discusses the joys and challenges of working with small towns, the importance of building authentic community connections, and the value of bringing fresh ideas from other places.

She also introduces her new initiative, Econ Dev Ops, a virtual assistant service tailored to chambers of commerce and economic development organizations, designed to help overburdened leaders focus on strategy and growth.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Special Guest: Jamie Beasley.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is industrial site selection software for economic developers.

Links:

• Jamie Beasley | LinkedIn

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson welcomes back Jamie Beasley, who shares her path from chamber leadership to her current role as a Regional Development Specialist in north central Oklahoma.

Jamie discusses the joys and challenges of working with small towns, the importance of building authentic community connections, and the value of bringing fresh ideas from other places.

She also introduces her new initiative, Econ Dev Ops, a virtual assistant service tailored to chambers of commerce and economic development organizations, designed to help overburdened leaders focus on strategy and growth.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Special Guest: Jamie Beasley.

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:

• Jamie Beasley | LinkedIn
• Chamber Burnout with Jamie Beasley - A Podcast for Chamber Professionals
• Econ Dev Ops LLC
• Sitehunt
• Crowdfund Better
• SmartStart Business Development
• SaveYour.Town – Practical steps to shape a better future for your community, small town, rural or local neighborhood
• Oklahoma Department of Commerce | Building business in OK
• Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development 106: The First Month in the ED Director's Chair with Jamie Beasley

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson welcomes back Jamie Beasley, who shares her path from chamber leadership to her current role as a Regional Development Specialist in north central Oklahoma.

Jamie discusses the joys and challenges of working with small towns, the importance of building authentic community connections, and the value of bringing fresh ideas from other places.

She also introduces her new initiative, Econ Dev Ops, a virtual assistant service tailored to chambers of commerce and economic development organizations, designed to help overburdened leaders focus on strategy and growth.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Special Guest: Jamie Beasley.

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:

• Jamie Beasley | LinkedIn
• Chamber Burnout with Jamie Beasley - A Podcast for Chamber Professionals
• Econ Dev Ops LLC
• Sitehunt
• Crowdfund Better
• SmartStart Business Development
• SaveYour.Town – Practical steps to shape a better future for your community, small town, rural or local neighborhood
• Oklahoma Department of Commerce | Building business in OK
• Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development 106: The First Month in the ED Director's Chair with Jamie Beasley

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Kathleen Coviello, Chief Economic Transformation Officer at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, to explore how New Jersey is reshaping its economic future.

Kathleen discusses the state’s targeted approach to building industries where it has a competitive edge—from film and digital media to life sciences, clean energy, and AI. She shares insights into innovative initiatives like film-ready certified towns, programs that turn company losses into cash, and the ambitious Evergreen Fund designed to attract venture capital and corporate engagement.

Along the way, Kathleen highlights both the opportunities and challenges facing New Jersey, including housing affordability and talent retention, while also offering a candid look at her own journey from venture banking to two decades in public service.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Special Guest: Kathleen Coviello.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is industrial site selection software for economic developers.

Links:

• Kathleen Coviello | LinkedIn

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Rich Garman, Director of Economic Development and Finance at the North Dakota Department of Commerce, to explore how North Dakota’s unique scale and culture enable fast, collaborative economic development. Rich highlights the benefits of a close-knit network where “everybody knows everybody,” the ability to push projects forward at breakneck speed, and the importance of trust and reputation in such a small state. Listeners will come away with insights into what makes North Dakota’s approach distinctive and how lessons from the state’s nimbleness can inspire economic developers everywhere.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Special Guest: Rich Garman.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is industrial site selection software for economic developers.

Links:

• Richard Garman | LinkedIn

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Renee McKenney, Senior Vice President of Tourism for the Tulsa Regional Chamber and President of Tulsa Regional Tourism. Renee shares how Tulsa has leveraged its unique history, Route 66 heritage, and creative culture to attract visitors, residents, and businesses. From hosting major sporting events and revitalizing Black Wall Street to promoting film, music, and culinary scenes, Tulsa is redefining itself as a vibrant destination. Renee also explains how integrating tourism with economic development under the chamber umbrella creates a powerful synergy that fuels placemaking, business attraction, and civic pride

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Special Guest: Renee McKenney.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is industrial site selection software for economic developers.

Links:

• Renee McKenney, CDME | LinkedIn

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.)

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Special Guest: Lakey Boyd.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is industrial site selection software for economic developers.

Links:

• Greater Baltimore Committee

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.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Special Guest: Stacie Lovan.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is industrial site selection software for economic developers.

Links:

• Greater Des Moines Partnership: 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.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Special Guest: John Lynn.

Sponsored By:

• Sitehunt: Sitehunt is industrial site selection software for economic developers.

Links:

• Quay Acceleration