EDO Breakthrough

Jobs might bring people to a place, but belonging is what helps them put down roots.

In our final bonus episode before Season 4, we're digging into the invisible force that drives workforce retention, volunteerism, and brand loyalty—and it has nothing to do with data or deals. When people feel seen, valued, and included, they invest their time, talent, and treasure into your community.

Listen in and take one small action this week to help someone feel seen. It might just change everything.

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

Shopping locally shouldn't be a guilt trip. It should be an invitation.

In this bonus episode, we're flipping the script on how economic developers can activate year-round support for small businesses. Think: Buy Local Bingo cards, receipt challenges, and holiday gift guides that make shopping small feel like a treasure hunt, not a chore.

Whether you're looking to drive foot traffic during a spring slowdown or turn 500 employees into downtown ambassadors with a single gift card campaign, we've got strategies you can steal and deploy immediately.

Need help building out your campaign? Reach out to us at pprstrategies.com/contact-us 

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

While we’re gearing up for Season 4, this bonus mini-episode is here to help you turn appreciation into impact!

Giving thanks doesn’t have to be a huge production, so we’re sharing quick, meaningful ways you can build stronger partnerships, re-engage allies, and create ripple effects in your community.

Resources Mentioned:

• Mastering The Art of Meaningful Appreciation
• Community Engagement Should Be in Every Job Description

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

What if the key to better marketing, stronger partnerships, and more trust in your EDO is simply… better writing?

In this episode, Sandy sits down with PPR Strategies’ Creative Director, Meg Boyle, for a candid look at the power of words in economic development. From finding an authentic voice to writing with empathy, Meg shares how storytelling fuels the strategies that build stronger communities.

Key Takeaways:

• How to write with conviction, even outside your comfort zone
• How AI can be helpful, but can’t replace human insight
• Why every organization needs a “North Star”
• Two simple writing tips that will instantly make you a better communicator

About the Guest:

PPR Strategies’ Creative Director, Meg Boyle, develops the creative pathway that inspires engagement and action. Drawing on 25+ years of experience in philanthropy and economic development, writing and marketing, Meg glides seamlessly between strategy and execution. You can learn more about Meg on the PPR Strategies website and connect with her on LinkedIn. 

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

Some may see heritage preservation as a challenge, but in Bath, UK, it’s an opportunity. With fewer than 90,000 residents drawing 6 million visitors a year, the results speak for themselves.

In this episode, Allison Herbert, CEO of the Bath Business Improvement District (BID), shares how one of the UK’s most historic cities manages the balance between charm and commerce while delivering tangible economic development outcomes for local businesses. 

From Bridgerton fans and Jane Austen festivals to seagulls and public toilets, she walks us through the surprisingly practical side of managing a globally recognized, locally loved district.

Key Takeaways:

• How the BID’s voluntary, opt-in model delivers greater value back to its community members
• How they respond within minutes to concerns with hands-on, hyper-local solutions like cleaning crews and security teams that local businesses can count on
• Why collaboration between neighboring cities isn’t just smart, it’s essential
• How the BID leverages clever strategies to handle tourism pressure, homelessness, and even protected seagulls

Resources Mentioned: 

• Bath BID Projects & Initiatives

About the Guest:

Allison Herbert is the CEO of the Bath Business Improvement District (BID). She brings extensive experience across both the public and private sectors, with a background in events, economic development, and project management. Allison leads a 10-person team delivering services that support more than 650 businesses in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath, UK. You can connect with Allison on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/allisonherbert 

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

It’s one thing to land a big project… It’s another to build a legacy. 

In this episode, Certified Economic Developer Tray Hairston, partner at Butler Snow LLP, shares how he’s built a career at the intersection of law, finance, and community-building. 

From structuring billion-dollar bond deals to mentoring the next generation of talent, Tray explains how understanding both the legal and human aspects of economic development can unlock more effective and inclusive projects.

Key Takeaways:

• Why understanding the public side of deals makes you a stronger partner in complex projects
• How a mentor Tray never met shaped his career—and how that influence now guides the way he mentors and builds deep relationships with the next generation.
• What’s really driving brain drain, and how EDOs can create communities worth staying in
• How returning to his roots became the key to unlocking his purpose and influence

About the Guest:

Tray Hairston is a partner at Butler Snow LLP, where he focuses on public finance and economic development. A certified economic developer (CEcD), Tray has served as bond counsel for cities and counties across Mississippi and the Southeast. Before joining Butler Snow, he served as Counsel and Economic Development Advisor to Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant. He brings a unique blend of legal expertise and economic insight to projects that shape communities and drive long-term growth. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/trayhairston). 

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

Once written off, now in demand… Detroit’s comeback offers a blueprint for any community that’s ready to rewrite its story—with strategy, collaboration, and a clear sense of identity.

In this episode, Maureen Donohue Krauss, President and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership, shares how the organization was built from the ground up, with long-term funding and strategic goals in place from day one. She walks us through the evolution of the Detroit Region overcoming major disruptors and how it’s positioned itself as a global leader in mobility and innovation.

Plus, Maureen offers a peek at what you can expect to see, do, and feel when you come to town, whether it’s for the upcoming IEDC Annual Conference or on your next personal visit.

Key Takeaways:

• How Detroit changed perceptions and secured 36,500 jobs and nearly $10 billion in investment in just five years 
• Ways the “Global Epicenter of Mobility” is shaping the future of transportation beyond just cars 
• The "three W’s" that give Detroit an edge, and how you can leverage your region’s unique traits too
• Why storytelling, speed, and trust-building are essential tools in today’s economic development landscape

Resources Mentioned:

• Detroit Regional Partnership
• Global Epicenter for Mobility

About the Guest:

Maureen Donohue Krauss is President and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP), a leading economic development nonprofit serving the 11-county Detroit Region. Since 2020, the DRP has secured more than 120 projects that have resulted in an estimated $9.4 billion in investment and more than 36,500 jobs. You can connect with Maureen on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/maureendonohue-krauss).

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

What if you could land new foreign direct investment projects *and* keep existing employers happy… without a million-dollar budget?

In this episode, Chris Knight, Managing Director of FT Locations, pulls back the curtain on relationship-first strategies that help communities of any size compete on the global stage.

Key Takeaways:

• How to embed businesses in your community to boost retention and long-term growth
• Tips for standing out among the 15,000 EDOs that are chasing the same 15,000 projects each year
• How EDOs of any size can leverage mapping tech, state partnerships, and targeted PR to attract FDI without overspending
• Real-world examples of how FT Locations is using AI+human workflows to speed up data pulls and company profiling
• Why project counts may dip short-term but capital and jobs are poised to grow

Resources Mentioned:

• FT Locations 
• Zoom Prospector
• GIS Planning
• FDI Markets
• FDI Benchmark
• Wavteq

About the Guest:

Chris Knight is the Managing Director of FT Locations, a division of the Financial Times Group that provides location intelligence services for foreign direct investment. He oversees a global team that supports more than 1,100 economic development organizations with data, mapping technology, marketing services, and strategic advisory work. You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/chrisknightfdi).

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

What happens when you shift from serving one community to supporting dozens?

In this episode, Heather Gramm, CEcD, reflects on her transition from the public to the private sector. She shares the learning curves, the surprises, and how she’s applying both the art and the science of economic development in fresh, meaningful ways.

Key Takeaways:

• How Heather’s sons helped her see workforce development through a new lens
• The biggest surprises Heather encountered after leaving the public sector
• How ongoing learning and mentorship—from organizations like MEDA—shaped Heather’s career evolution
• Why staying connected across local, state, and national networks makes your work more impactful

About the Guest:

Heather Gramm is a certified economic developer and the VP of Strategy at PPR Strategies. With over 20 years of expertise across municipal, county, and state economic development, she brings a deep understanding of what it takes to transform communities through strategic economic development to the PPR Strategies team. Learn more about her on our website (pprstrategies.com/about-us/heather-gramm).

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

It’s not just about workforce and utilities… Companies want to know your community is ready for them, too.

Drawing from her site selection experience in the U.S. and Europe, Nicholette Ross shares why it’s critical to align with local stakeholders earlier than most economic developers expect, especially when public input and cultural fit can make or break a project. She also explains how being honest about a site’s limitations can make your community more competitive. 

Key Takeaways:

• What to do when your site isn’t “perfect” (and how to stay in the running anyway)
• How to strengthen your RFI submissions without overinvesting in low-likelihood projects
• What future-focused communities are doing now to stay competitive with energy infrastructure and employer partnerships

About the Guest:

Nicholette Ross is the Managing Consultant for Global Location Strategies. She advises companies on making informed location strategy decisions that drive growth and success. She also manages our Europe office and oversees international business development initiatives. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/nicholetteross).

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.