What happens when a former TV news anchor trades the bright lights of the city for the charm of rural America? In this episode, we sit down with Cory Hepola, host of the hit docuseries My Town, to explore the heart, hustle, and hidden treasures of small-town life.

Cory shares his personal journey from dreaming of the big city to rediscovering the magic of small communities—and how My Town is rewriting the narrative about rural America. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories, powerful examples of local pride in action, and tips on how communities can catch the eye of national media.

Bonus: My Town is now accepting applications for its next season—find out what it takes to get your town on the map!

Inclusive economic development means creating opportunities for everyone in the community to build wealth. But, how do we do that as economic developers? NGIN's Senior Advisor, Cuevas Peacock shares his insights and information on a grant program that can help your community to increase capacity and bring about transformative change.

Christophe Trahan shares his team’s approach to BR&E, why relationships matter and how deep conversations are producing economic opportunities for local businesses and the foreign companies growing in this Northeast Texas community. Listen for Christophe’s tips on how communities of any size can use BR&E to create a positive economic impact.  

The Iowa Lakes Corridor is conducting 11% of all BR&E visits in the state of Iowa. In this episode, Golden Shovel's Bethany Quinn is joined by Curt Strouth, President & CEO, and Joanne Follon, Business Retention and Workforce Partnership Coordinator for an engaging discussion on BR&E best practices, how to develop a good program and the joy of making an impact. Learn more about their BR&E program here. #BRE #BusinessRetentionExpansion #IowaLakesCorridor

In advance of Mid-America EDC's Best Practices Conference we sat down with Erin Sparks, Economic Development Lead at Great River Energy and 2nd Vice President for Mid-America EDC. Erin shares a preview of what economic developers can expect to learn at the conference, along with the fun activities that are planned. She also shares invaluable insights from her journey in economic development, from her early days at CETA (Community and Economic Development Associates) to her current role supporting 26 member-owner cooperatives across Minnesota.

Erin discusses the importance of adopting a consulting mindset to remain agile and responsive, even when resources are lean. We also dive into Great River Energy’s Data Center Site Assessment Program—a groundbreaking initiative that sets the standard for site readiness and has opened doors to new economic opportunities. Whether you're an economic developer, community leader, or just curious about how strategic thinking can transform rural communities, this episode has something for you.

In this episode, Bethany Quinn, President of Golden Shovel, sits down with Marvin Price, Executive Vice President of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, to discuss how strategic vision, perseverance, and regional collaboration led to over $16 billion in capital investment and 10,000 new jobs in just four years. Marvin shares the behind-the-scenes story of how Greensboro secured the Toyota project to their megasite, expanded its aerospace sector, and is growing life sciences. Their story provides that economic development is a long game—but one worth playing. This conversation is a must-listen for economic developers looking for inspiration and actionable insights on securing transformative investments for their communities.

Brent Christensen, President/CEO of the Minnesota Telecom Alliance, fondly remembers tinkering as a child in the offices of Christensen Communications Company in Madelia. Much has changed over his 30-year career, but his passion for bringing people together remains constant. Tune in to hear his vision for the future of telecommunications and the crucial role local providers can play in economic development. His inclusive approach emphasizes community involvement, developing strategic partnerships, and maintaining the industry’s collaborative spirit.

Join Chris Suozzi, aka Coach Swazz, Executive Vice President of Business and Workforce Development at the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), as he shares his innovative approach to engaging youth in high-demand careers. From the successful "GLOW With Your Hands" event to youth apprenticeship programs, Chris offers practical strategies for economic developers to partner with local businesses and schools, creating a strong talent pipeline. Learn how early hands-on experiences in STEM, skilled trades, and advanced manufacturing are shaping the next generation of the workforce.

A 500-acre mixed-use master plan takes years of planning and partnering with diverse organizations and stakeholders. Brian Rademacher, Director of Economic Development at the City of Ormond Beach, was the right person to shepherd Ormond Crossings through this process. A strong advocate for strategic planning and regional partnerships, with a background in transportation, Brian shares his unique perspective and suggestions for economic developers looking to increase their impact.

Michael Darger has spent the last 25 years at the University of Minnesota, the last 21 of which has been focused on Business Retention & Expansion, and lately Business Succession and Transition (BST). In this episode of ShovelTalk, Michael shares insights from their original research on what business owners care about when making a transition and who they are having transition conversations with. 

He shares recommendations on how economic developers can become part of these conversations and help keep businesses within their local communities.

Additional, free resources are available through the University of Minnesota.