This episode is part two of our hosts conversation with Robert Spector, customer service expert and author of The Nordstrom Way series of books.Hosts:

Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority

Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Our hosts welcomed economic development veteran Dean Barber to the show, live from Mexico, to discuss elements that communities need to be attractive to companies looking to expand.

Hosts:

Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority

Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

On this episode, our hosts were joined by economic development veteran Erik Collins, and his son Sam Collins, who is an Ohio ex-pat living and working in China.

Hosts:

Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority

Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

This week, our hosts welcomed economic development veteran Jon Brandow. Jon wrote a novel, Goliath at Sunset, influenced by his time as a welder and an elected union officer in 1970's Boston. The conversation focused on the impact of globalization on the workforce, then and now.

Hosts:

Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority

Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

This episode, Laith and guest co-host Jake Rouch interview Monica Hershberger, Chief Strategy Officer of RoleCall in Cleveland, OH. The conversation centered around business retention and expansion, and maintaining strong relationships with the businesses in your community.

Hosts:

Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority

Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Our hosts welcomed Austin Finch, Economic Development Director for Erwin Utilities, Erwin, TN. He told the story of recovery after the aftermath of historic flooding of their service area.

Hosts:

Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority

Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Laith was joined by special co-host Jake Rouch in a conversation with economic development practioner Jonathan Lindsley from Stafford County, Virginia. Much of the focus of the conversation was on Jon's extensive humanitarian work in Gaza and Syria.

Hosts:

Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority

Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

This week, the Erie County Redevelopment Authority announced that under the umbrella of Nine Ships Company, Modular Engineering, Corporate Glass, and M-E Construction will construct a new 60,000 sq. ft. facility at the westernmost part of the former International Paper site in Erie. Principals Fred Teitman, Shaun Seifert, and Ryan Martorella joined our hosts.

Hosts:

Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority

Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

This week our hosts and producer Joel Natalie began a two-part series with business journalist and author Robert Spector, who is world-renowned for his books revolving around The Nordstrom Way, including his latest, The Century-old Startup.

Hosts:

Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority

Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Our guest hails from the Lawton/Fort Sill, OK area. Dr. Krista Ratliff, who serves as the President & CEO of FISTA Innovation Park, told her remarkable story of converting a declining shopping center into a defense industry magnet.

Hosts:

Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority

Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies