In this episode, contributing corespondent Sean M. Maguire talks affordable housing and economic development with Stephane Frijja, President and CEO of Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership.  

Dennis is joined by Keith A. Gillenwater, CEcD, MEDP, MPA, President & CEO of Grow Wabash County, and Jeff Pipkin, Economic Development Manager at Hoosier Energy, to discuss the Mid America EDC Competitiveness Conference.  Dennis, Keith, and Jeff discuss what makes the Competitivness Conference special. The conference is designed and planned by working economic development professionals. There's something for everyone from big idea projects to nuts and bolts advice, tours, and their world -famous karaoke.  Don't miss one of the best conferences in Amercia for economic development professionals. This year the conference is being held in a new city, Indianapolis, IN. Learn how Indianapolis has become the amauetuer sports capital of the United States.  2023 Mid-America Competitiveness Conference November 29th – December 1st Indianapolis Marriott Downtown Register today!  

In this episode Dennis talks about finding a career-changing mentor late in life. Phil, Dennis' mentor recently passed away and Dennis reflects and discusses the difference having the right mentor can make in your life. To honor his mentor Dennis wants to give back by paying it forward to a Develop This listener. 

Dennis is joined by generational expert Mark C. Perna. Mark has spent 2023 speaking to 100's of education, community and economic development groups and organizations with 10,000's of people. Mark gives his insight into the trends, opportunities, and challenges he see's working with the generations and organizations involved in workforce development. Finally Mark and Dennis discuss what gives them hope for the future. 

Winning Ugly In this episode Dennis talks about how we measure success and why being flashy may not always yield the best results.  Iowa Football Statistics Iowa's offense is currently ranked 133 of 133 in the FBS. Through 7 games, they have 13 total offensive TDs and have punted the ball 47 times. They average less than 250 total yards per game. Despite this, they have a top 10 scoring defense and are sitting comfortably atop the Big 10 West at 6-1. To have his contract extended beyond June 30, 2024, Ferentz, the son of Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, needs his offense to average 25 points over 13 games this season, and the team must win seven games. And the "Drive to 325" was born. Six of the top 10 highest-scoring teams (USC, Oregon, Washington, Oklahoma, LSU, Florida State) are averaging double what Iowa scores on average. The Trojans' offense, which has the highest points-per-game average in college football at 51.8 Iowa ranks 118th or lower, out of 133 FBS teams, in the following eight categories: Red zone touchdown rate: 118 Points per drive: 119 Three-and-out rate: 127 Yards-per-play: 128 Yards-per-game: 130 Yards-per-game: 132 Yards-per-drive: 132 Success rate average: 132 128th in rushing, 131st in passing) The Hawkeyes rank dead last in yards per game, averaging 249.2. Winning Ugly: Mental Warfare in Tennis - Lessons from a Master – Brad Gilbert He's been called the best in the world at the mental game of tennis. Brad Gilbert's strokes may not be pretty, but looks aren't everything. He has beaten the tour's biggest names - all by playing his "ugly" game. Now, in Winning Ugly, Gilbert teaches recreational players how to win more often without necessarily even changing their strokes. The key to success, he says, is to become a better thinking player - to recognize, analyze, and capitalize. That means out-thinking opponents before, during, and after a match - forcing him or her to play your game. Gilbert's unconventional advice includes: Solid Economic Development Fundamentals Build relationships Create action Action even if not successful, beats inaction Workforce program Know your employers Understand their needs Be a catalyst BRE Check-ins Early warning signs for problems Appreciate what you have Attraction Maps Utility information Up to date data Solid fundamentals will take you a long way Add a mix of creativity and relationships and you have a winning formula William H. “Wee Willie” Keeler was one of the smallest players ever in major league baseball at 5-foot-4, 140 pounds. But he had one of the biggest bats in the game, both figuratively and literally, weighing up to 46 ounces. His motto was, “Keep your eye on the ball and hit ‘em where they ain’t,” and it certainly worked for the third baseman-turned-outfielder. Keeler had 13 straight seasons in which he batted over .300 and he reached the mark in 16 of the 19 years he played. He had a lifetime average of .345 and for seven straight seasons he also had an on-base percentage that was above .400.  

Recorded at the 2023 IEDC Annual Conference in Dallas, TX. Dennis is joined by Develop This! contributing correspondent Sean Maguire. Dennis and Sean give a recap and review of the 2023 IEDC Annual Conference in Dallas, TX. New IEDC Strategic Plan

PROVEN STRATEGIES FOR SOLVING HOUSING SHORTAGES IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS NORTH AMERICA  Bethany Quinn  -  Vice President of Strategy and Content Development for Golden Shovel Dennis is joined by Bethany Quinn from Golden Shovel, and they discuss PROVEN STRATEGIES FOR SOLVING HOUSING SHORTAGES IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS NORTH AMERICA, a Golden Shovel white paper.  For economic developers housing is one of the major topics we deal with, especially workforce housing. The data behind the Golden Shovel white paper and the role the pandemic played Pre-pandemic communities were facing housing shortages that negatively impacted their ability to grow. Compnaies needed more housing for their employees. People couldn’t move for employment opportunities because there wasn’t affordable housing Housing shortages are now at the forefront of public consciousness and the existing housing costs exponentially more.  Case-Shiller Index Report showed an 18.8% annual home price increase. Zumper’s National Rent Report showed that rent for a one-bedroom apartment hit an all-time high of $1,400 in 2022, for the national average– this is a 12 percent year-over-year increase. The United States alone has a housing shortfall of 3.8 million units. According to Freddie Mac researchers, “The main driver of the housing shortfall has been the long-term decline in the construction of single-family homes. T Information Contained in a Housing Study The structure of a housing study varies from consultant to consultant and is based on community priorities. Some of the common features are as follows: • Analysis of current housing supply, broken down by owner-occupied vs. rental, and type of housing. • Report on the condition of current housing stock, including identifying the number of homes that should be torn down or need serious renovations to be livable. • Analysis of the affordability of housing for the existing workforce. • Estimate how many housing units will be needed, per category, over the next five years. • Location breakdown for housing demand (necessary for a regional report). • Determination of how many housing units need to be built as “workforce housing.” • Determination of how much senior housing will be needed. • A projection of how the housing needs could change if the EDO’s work results in job growth. • Analysis of the community’s current development capabilities and if outside developers will be needed to meet housing targets.  Best Practices  Pattern Zoning & Pre-Approvals As a Strategy in Claremore, OK  EMPOWER INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS TO BUILD  INCENTIVES & POLICY TO SPUR WORKFORCE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT  TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS  Spurring Housing Development Without Significant Capital in Clinton, Iowa  REZONE TO INCREASE DENSITY REPURPOSE LAND & BUILDINGS TURN BLIGHT INTO OPPORTUNITIES    

Ron Kresha - COO & CFO Golden Shovel Creating a Marketing Plan Ron Kresha, Chief Operating Officer, is a founding member who helped start Golden Shovel Agency on the premise that every community deserves to be recognized and to have the tools needed to compete for businesses and jobs. He is committed to providing services that improve communities and people’s lives. Ron refers to himself as a serial entrepreneur who has been told he’s “too stupid to know how to fail”. He wears that as a badge of honor as a person who never quits on people, companies, or communities. How has marketing for economic development groups changed? How have websites changed and how we access information changed? The percentage of global web traffic on mobile phones has surged over the past decade. In May 2023, 51.52% of all web traffic came through mobile phones, with the average for 2023 so far coming in at 56.86%.  The importance of a Strategic Marketing Plan Golden Sovel white paper AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPER’S COMPLETE GUIDE TO MARKETING & SEO STRATEGIES Strategic marketing is creating a comprehensive plan that aligns with an organization’s overall strategy to achieve specific objectives. It involves: 1. Identifying the target audience & understanding the competition. 2. Developing a unique value proposition (UVP). 3. Creating a marketing mix that effectively communicates your message. This long-term process requires a deep understanding of the market and the organization’s goals. CRAFTING & EXECUTING A STRATEGIC MARKETING PLAN To achieve success, economic developers must effectively execute their plans, measure the effectiveness of their marketing efforts, and adjust their approach as needed to ensure the desired results are achieved. 1. Determine your marketing mix. Decide which marketing channels (such as advertising, PR, social media, email marketing, etc.) will most effectively reach your target audience and achieve your goals. 2. Create a budget. Allocate resources to each of your marketing channels and tactics. Be sure to consider both the cost of creating and executing the marketing plan and the potential return on investment. 3. Develop a timeline. Create a timeline for executing your marketing plan. Assign specific tasks and deadlines to team members responsible for each tactic. 4. Implement the plan. Begin running your marketing tactics according to your timeline. 5. Measure and analyze results. Continuously monitor your marketing efforts and analyze your results. Use data to identify what’s working and what’s not, and adjust your plan accordingly.  GET SMART SMART goals are a popular framework for setting and achieving goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. 1. Specific: Be clear and specific about the results. Instead of setting a vague goal like “post more content,” set a specific goal like “post relevant community events every week for ten weeks.” 2. Measurable: Ensure your goal is measurable. This means setting criteria for success, such as tracking your social media interactions and increasing economic development conversations. 3. Achievable: Set goals that are realistic and achievable. Don’t set yourself up for failure by setting an unrealistic goal. Instead, ensure your goals can realistically be accomplished with your current resources and abilities. 4. Relevant: Make your goals relevant to your larger objectives and values. Ask yourself if the goal will help you achieve something meaningful. 5. Time-bound: Set a deadline for your goal. Stay focused and motivated. For example, set a deadline of three months to aggressively Using SMART goals will make your goals clear, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, setting you up for success. TOP REASONS STRATEGIC MARKETING PLANS FAIL There are several reasons why strategic marketing plans can fail. #1 Poor planning – successful strategic marketing requires a well-defined plan with clear objectives, target audience, and tactics. If an EDO fails to plan correctly, it can result in inadequate or ineffective marketing efforts. #2 Not understanding your target audience – an EDO’s marketing strategy depends on how well it understands its audience. Failure to understand can lead to marketing campaigns that are irrelevant, uninteresting, or unappealing. #3 Insufficient resources – implementing a strategic marketing plan can be costly, and a lack of resources can result in an inability to execute the plan effectively. This can include lacking financial resources, human resources, or time. #4 Poor execution – even the best marketing plan can fail if the execution is poor. Poor execution can result from a lack of attention to detail, ineffective communication, or insufficient training and support. #5 Inability to adapt – the marketplace is constantly changing, and a successful marketing strategy requires adapting to these changes. Failure to adapt can result in a marketing strategy that is no longer effective or relevant. #6 Lack of differentiation – in today’s highly competitive market, it’s crucial for companies to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Failure to differentiate can make it difficult to attract and retain businesses and workforce. Pulling together the components for a website or marketing effort derails most people. Copy Photos Data Graphics Golden Shovel has a four step process Schedule a call Develop a strategy Engage Measure success  

In this episode Dennis gets personal about how a week of good news and bad news affected him. Economic development professionals get an up close and personal look at the highs and lows that happen in their communities. It's never easy to feel helpless trying to save a facility and people's jobs in your community. 

Aaron Brossoit – Golden Shovel Dennis is joined by Aaron Brossoit, the CEO of Golden Shovel. In this episode, they discuss the changes in digital marketing and what the future holds as we enter the metaverse and AI takes hold Aaron Brossoit, Chief Executive Officer, was a founding member of Golden Shovel and has been with the company since September 2009. He began as VP of Business Development and filled the COO position prior to becoming CEO. After earning his Bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University, Aaron co-founded a digital marketing agency in central Minnesota - a company he ran for ten years before joining GSA. Aaron’s day-to-day responsibilities include giving presentations and traveling to different communities and industry-related events. He is also active in product and market development and planning for the future while also supporting the amazing Golden Shovel team wherever needed. His favorite project so far includes working with the PlaceVR clients who are joining us in making virtual reality a “reality” as a key tool in the economic development toolkit. Aaron enjoys working with economic development organizations, knowing that we are making a difference in the lives of families and the vitalities of communities, especially in rural and underserved areas, where relatively few new jobs can have a massive impact on the region. Golden Shovel is now a full-service agency  Business Attraction Workforce Attraction Regional Strategies Tourism Marketing Strategy blueprints Branding Website Development Content Creation Marketing Ongoing support Opportunity Zone Strategy Video & VR Services The Golden Shovel four step process Schedule a call Develop a strategy Engage Measure success  

Dennis is joined by IEDC Presdent and CEO Nathan Ohle to discuss the upcoming IEDC 2023 Annual Conference, September 17 – 20th, 2023 – in Dallas, Texas Dallas, TX, is one of the country's most economically and socially diverse cities. The 1920s were an age of dramatic political, technological, and social change for some, yet not for others. In Dallas, we'll usher in the next-generation 'Roaring 20s,' spotlighting how to build thriving, sustainable, resilient, and equitable communities for tomorrow. Our sights are set on ensuring future prosperity by focusing on economic diversity and resilience now, building on past successes, and inspiring the next ‘Roaring 20s!’ This innovative Annual Conference will explore, modernize, and grow successful industry strategies and practices by focusing on each of IEDC’s five strategic initiatives below. Leadership Development Workforce & Talent Development Supporting Entrepreneurship Fostering Economic Opportunity & Diversity Economic Transformation Conference Location and Hotel: Hilton Anatole  2201 N Stemmons Fwy Dallas, TX 75207  

Joseph Stefko, ROC2025 President and CEO, joins Develop This! contributing correspondent Sean Maguire. Sean and Joe talk about what's changed in Rochester for the better and how it's shaking off the rust belt of the past. Fun and interesting things about Rochester include food, museums, wine, and more. Economic Development in Rochester Today More than Kodak How does ROC2025 fit in? In 2020, the City of Rochester posted its first decennial population increase since the 1950s. The number of full- and part-time jobs in the Rochester MSA is higher today than in 1982 when Kodak hit its peak employment level. Rochester has one of the nation's highest densities of enrolled college students, ranking sixth among major US metros. Rochester Tomorrow What happens after 2025?    

In this episode Dennis discusses the conundrum many economic development professionals find themselves in trying to deal with stakeholders on both sides of a controversial project. Some of these types of projects can incldue. The use of eminenet domain Utility franchise fees Utility rate cases for rate increases Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Dennis offers some tips to help navigate these tricky waters. Enage your board of directors Host a neutral forum Communicate, communicate, communicate   

Responding to RFPs is a Team Sport Dennis and Broderick discuss the sometimes intense process of responding to a request for a proposal with a tight deadline. RFPs many times come on short notice and successfully completing the RFP requires being prepared and having a team of rapid response partners.  RFPs can come from a variety of sources ·       State ED ·       Site selectors ·       Utility partners ·       Rail partners Being prepared High-quality maps  Acreage, ownership, selling price, and location ·       Topography ·       Wetlands ·       Floodplains – We’re near the Mississippi River ·       Transportation access ·       Utilities Make sure that you answer all of the questions Develop relationships with your partners Utility providers Rail partners City and county officials COG/Regional Planning organization Environmental specialist  We use the format required and requested Always include a packet of supporting documentation Import RFP takeaways ·       Be prepared ·       Have maps ·       Create a spreadsheet of information ·       Know who knows the answer ·       If you don’t know something say so    

Friend of the show Mark Perna joins Dennis and they discuss Mark's experience in taking the IEDC Basic Economic Development Course in Nashville.  Why did Mark Perna decide to take the IEDC Basic Economic Development Class? What was Mark's impression of the class? How can the IEDC Basic ED Course help others better understand economic development? 

“Making semiconductor chips in Upstate New York” with Develop This! Contributing Correspondent Sean Maguire and guest Nick Bruno from MV EDGE. Sean and Nick discuss their love of Utica and semiconductor projects in upstate New York Tomato pie, chicken riggies, and Utica Club beer How’d you get here? How did you get into semiconductor work? Overview of Wolfspeed in Marcy/Utica How did the work in Albany set the stage for Wolfspeed?  How does Wolfspeed fit into the Micron investment in Syracuse? What went well? What was right? What would you improve if you had the chance to do it all over again?

Economic Gardening: No Green Thumb Needed   Economic Gardening is an economic development model that embraces the idea that entrepreneurs drive economies and places a laser-like focus on creating jobs by supporting existing companies in a community. It originated in the late 80s in Littleton, CO when the state was in a recession and the community lost a major employer. Local leaders realized that only a small percentage of all companies were “high growth” but those companies were creating the majority of new jobs.  Since 1989, Littleton (current population 45,000), has added 15,000+ jobs, with no incentives.    

Dennis is joined by Mark Perna and they discuss how economic development professionals can help our business and industry partners connect with students. In a time of full employment, worker shortages, and a skills gap business and industry partners are increasingly looking to economic development professionals to help bridge the gap with their future workforce. There is an increase in job fairs, career expos, and career exploration events. A company's approach to these events can make or break a business's recruiting efforts.  Dennis and Mark discuss best practices and ways to help foster an understanding of today's generation of workers.  Connect with Mark Perna

Nathan Ohle – President and CEO of IEDC Economic Recovery Corps - Program launched on May 11th The Economic Recovery Corps Program (ERC) is a multi-year, $30 million collaborative initiative designed to accelerate recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in distressed communities and regions throughout the U.S. by connecting organizations with the talent and capacity needed to advance new ways of doing economic development that promote economic resilience and transformative change.  The ERC is funded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) under the CARES Act and led by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in partnership with six leading national organizations: Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), International City/County Management Association (ICMA), National Association of Counties Research Foundation (NACo RF), National Association of Development Organizations Research Foundation (NADO RF), National League of Cities Institute (NLCI), and RAIN Catalysts. Two Main Goals: Build capacity in under resourced communities or regions to accelerate their economic development work and drive more equitable economic outcomes To build a pipeline of the next generation of economic development leaders Why This Initiative? Why Now?  The Economic Recovery Corps was created to address long-standing economic issues in America that came into sharp focus during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for historically underserved populations and communities, which led to vastly different outcomes that continue to impact recovery efforts. Economic development approaches have and will continue to pivot in the coming years, and to ensure that communities do not get left further behind, new approaches to building capacity are necessary. About the Program To meet this moment, IEDC and its partners are building a nationwide corps of diverse, cross-sector talent with the skills and expertise to help activate regional economic development strategies that promote connectivity, innovation, and knowledge-sharing between urban, rural, and tribal areas across the U.S. Over the course of the 2.5-year (30 month) fellowship, selected host organizations will receive technical assistance, planning, and capacity-building support from an ERC Fellow who will be based in their community or region.  IEDC and its partners will place up to 65 Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) Fellows in economic development and related organizations in under resourced communities throughout the nation. Hosts will reflect the entire community and economic development field spectrum, from city and county government to regional coalitions, economic development organizations, economic development districts (EDDs), and entrepreneurial technical assistance providers. Fellows will be highly-trained early to mid-career professionals, equipped to help identify and advance innovative, locally-driven initiatives to build stronger, more resilient, and inclusive economies.  This new initiative has the potential to shift the practice of economic development nationwide in an unprecedented manner — by centering the concerns of under-resourced regions while simultaneously investing in a cohort of diverse practitioners and leaders equipped with the skills necessary to usher in a new era of economic prosperity that is equitable and sustainable.   

2023 Economic Development Week – May 8 - 12, 2023 In this episode, Dennis and Broderick discuss Economic Development Week and why economic developers are not always great at telling their stories.  Economic Development Week gives economic development professionals a platform to showcase to their community the contributions made to their local economy throughout the year. Utilize IEDC’s toolkit to help support your message and increase your impact Economic Development Week was created by IEDC in 2016 to increase awareness of local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities, and improve the quality of life in communities everywhere. Are you looking to promote Economic Development within your community? Why do you think we are sometimes hesitant to tell our story or blow our own horn? Whose job is it to tell our story? Every business, company, and organization has a reputation….do you know what yours is? We must control our own narrative Goals of Economic Development Week Articulate: Voice the value of your contributions to your local economy Organize: Build a base of support within your community for the work of your ED Show and Tell: Emphasize the importance of economic development through tangible examples and peer case studies Amplify: Spread your message and increase the exposure of all the good work your EDO does throughout the year      Prepare to get in the game in 2024!

Walking the Economic Development Tightrope For many of us, there has been a fundamental shift in how we approach economic development. As the job market has tightened the challenge of bringing in a new project has increased exponentially. How do we continue to look for opportunities when our current employers can’t fill their staffing needs? Everyone loves the new announcement and golden shovel ceremonies How does that play with our existing companies? 750,000 jobs are unfilled in the manufacturing sector Deloitte Insights predicts that 2.1 million manufacturing jobs will remain unfilled in the U.S. alone by 2030 Worker shortage and a skills Gap    

In this episode Dennis as the question what do you want to be when you grow up? Whether economic development is your 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th career it's never too early or late to decide what you want to be when you grow up. Are you following your childhood dream or has your career been a series of twists and turns? Now is the time to take a look in the mirror and have a serious conversation with yourself. Sometimes the hardest part of life is being honest with yourself. Only one person really knows you and the truth.  Ask yourself the tough questions Write down where you want to be in one, three, and five years Do something that scares you occasionally   Life is too short not to be happy both personally and professionally   

How do others understand economic development?  Does AI understand our work better than others? In this episode, Develop This! contributing correspondent Sean Maguire checks in from OUEDI and draws inspiration for this show from both real life and entertainment and starts asking AI about economic development.  Sean engages with ChatGPT to ask questions about economic development and considers the validity of the answers AI comes back with.  He asks ChatGPT to create a script for this show, how to define economic development, and - as a planner + economic developer - why city planners make good economic developers. Do you want Sean to ask ChatGPT your question about economic development for a future show? Connect with Sean on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanmaguireaicp/  or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/econdevsean/  and send him your questions

Sometimes Doing the Right Thing is Hard Caution! This is the cynical and bitter version of the Develop This! podcast! In this episode, Dennis vents his frustrations about the difficulty of building coalitions even when you're trying to do the right thing. Dennis has made a conscious decision to be less like Neville Chamberlain and more like Winston Churchill.....Never, never, never, give up Economic development professionals are often at the nexus of difficult projects Everyone wants to impact workforce but doing meaningful work and doing the right thing is hard You would think it would be easy to build coalitions and that everyone would understand what’s at stake if we fail to take action Unfortunately, local politics, egos, and turf battles can derail even the best intentions Neville Chamberlain was prime minister of the United Kingdom from 1937 to 1940. He is best known for his role in the Munich Agreement of 1938 which ceded parts of Czechoslovakia to Hitler and is now the most popular example of the foreign policy known as appeasement. Winston Churchill was an inspirational statesman, writer, orator and leader who led Britain to victory in the Second World War. He served as Conservative Prime Minister twice - from 1940 to 1945 (before being defeated in the 1945 general election by the Labour leader Clement Attlee) and from 1951 to 1955.  Dennis would love to hear your stories of how you have overcome obstacles that your organization has faced. Contact him at [email protected] or call 319-753-0690          

Dennis and Broderick discuss how to assemble a dynamic board of directors for your organization. No matter what your role is in an economic development group the quality of your board of directors directly impacts the quality of your organization.  How do you attract high quality people to serve on your board of directors? Run a quality meeting Start and stop on time Respect peoples time Be the kind of organization that people want to be a part of Traits of a good board member Attendance Inquisitive Not afraid to challenge the status quo Community minded Find a rock star and build around him or her Successful people want to be around other successful people Recruit a diverse board Gender Race Age Areas of expertise Have term limits Rotate the executive board and board chair Do a thorough board member orientation Get to know your board members Economic Development is Not for Amateurs – Jay Garner Board self-assessment – Board Source          

Dennis is joined by Mid Amercia EDC board member Brad Reams to discuss the upcoming  Mid Amercia EDC Best Practices Conference May 10 - 12 in Kansas City. We hope you can join us in Kansas City May 10-12 for the 2023 Best Practices Conference!  The Best Practices Conference is the annual spring/summer conference for Mid-America EDC. This conference rotates throughout the states in the region, and we are thrilled to have Kansas and Missouri as this year’s host states! You won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn best practices from industry professionals and experts. There will also be plenty of opportunities for networking with your Midwest colleagues, as well as the opportunity to experience the development and innovation that Kansas City has to offer! Mid Amercia EDC  Best Practices Conference   Brad Reams 

Equitable Economic Development: Does Anyone Care?  Background -  “Equity” has been used a lot over the last few years Definition: “The quality of being fair and impartial” Last year, the IEDC released its “Equitable Economic Development Playbook” which examined structural racism in ED and promotes equitable practices and standards. The report highlighted four fundamental “prisms” through which equitable economic development strategies could be understood and applied. Acknowledge – acknowledge history Target – programs and initiatives must explicitly target affected and vulnerable communities Collaborate – equity cannot be produced from a singular source Measure – incorporate equity and inclusion into performance metrics It is the responsibility of all ED practitioners to promote equitable policies, practices, and standards to ensure all segments of our communities benefit from our efforts.  

How Economic Development is Like the NCAA Tournament. March Madness: Cinderella’s Buzzer Beaters, & One Shining Moment Broderick and Dennis discuss their love of basketball and how March Madness and the NCAA basketball tournament have parallels to the work economic development professionals do in their communities. Broderick calls this the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year." What elements of the tourney have some similarities to the economic developer's day-to-day work? Final Four Buzzer Beaters Cinderella's One Shinning Moment  NCAA Mens Tournament  NCAA Womens Tournament             

Movie fans Dennis and Broderick reimagine the Oscars as economic development awards. They ask the questions are You and Your Organization Oscar Worthy? Entering the annual IEDC awards is a great way to measure your organization against your peers. Plus Broderick and Dennis reveal their favorite movies and which Marvel character they would be! Production design – Your Image Everyone, every business, and every organization has an image Do you know what your image is? Cinematography – Visual Impact Branding, photography and graphics, website Is your website up to date? Editing - Being Concise  Distilling down your accomplishments Annual report Original Screenplay, Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Costume Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing- Your Story Your personal brand and your organization's brand How are you telling your story? Are you telling your story? If you don’t tell your story someone else will Selling blue sky Directing – The Board How did the board perform?   Board self-assessment Board performance is tied to the CEO Onboarding process Supporting actor – Your team Do you have the right team and the people in the right seats? The work is easy….people are hard Actor- You How was your performance? Did you reach your goals? Best Picture – Your body of Work and Achievements How did you and your organization do? Did you have one major accomplishment or several smaller ones? Do people gravitate toward your organization? Entering the IEDC awards is an excellent way to measure your organization The Oscars  

How do we work together more effectively with so many generations in the office? In this episode, young baby boomer Dennis is joined by generational expert Mark Perna to discuss working with multiple generations in the Office Can we find a middle ground on the way our offices run? Some Baby Boomer traits Punctuality Put in what ever hours are necessary to get a project done More rigid office environment Paying your dues A study finds that 74% of Millennial and Gen Z employees are likely to quit within the next year due to a lack of skills development opportunities. 58% of employees are afraid that their skills have gone stale since the onset of the pandemic. 89% said they’re “extremely” or “somewhat” motivated to improve their skills this year. Workplace Intelligence Study 

If you’re in a position or with an organization long enough, you will more than likely encounter a professional relationship that becomes stained or broken. In this episode, Dennis offers some tips and ideas to help reset a broken relationship. Take some time to cool off Refrain from email and social media Reflect on your actions and role in the situation Apologize if necessary Reach out to attempt to reset the relationship A handwritten note is preferable Difficult to do with email Meet at a neutral site Keep working on the process Some relationships can’t be repaired

Economic Development and Higher Education Background -  One of the more interesting changes in the last two decades has been the intersection of economic development and higher education.   Universities are becoming important players in 21st-century  economic development. The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (representing 238 members) and the University Economic Development Association have helped higher education define its role in economic development and engagement with their local constituencies.   A framework was created to assist institutions and their partners in identifying economic development contributions and understanding how to connect to a larger vision.    Higher education institutions are adding “economic development” leadership positions   No longer primarily focused on areas of workforce development and innovation.   Colleges and universities often have large real estate holdings.   Even communities that do not have a local institution can partner with and benefit from regional entities.  These two organizations came up with a definition of economic development for higher ed that highlights three key areas: Talent – Cradle-to-Grave Human Capital and Talent Development   Innovation – Research, Creative Works, Problem-Solving, and Entrepreneurship   Place – Community-Connected Institutions and Stewardship for Vibrant Communities  

In this episode, Dennis is joined by Laura Farley Digital Curation Librarian at the People’s Archive at DC Public Library to discuss organizing and preserving your organization's digital files. Laura shares her digital preservation mantra, start small, start now. https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauramfarley/  What is digital preservation? Best practices Concepts: Inventory: Documents, usable, available, scalable, current Use familiar software, be consistent, comprehensive, and concise You choose the level of detail You can’t and don’t want to keep everything - storage can be cheap but management is not How to select: Review and prioritize, define, document, implement Identify: what do you have Select: what to preserve Store: long term storage of materials File format, access Access needs: online, near-line, offline storage, -- it depends on how quickly you need to access your files. Cost: what resources do you have, should you build, buy, or join in a collaboration with others with similar needs? Quantity (size and number of files) Expertise: What are the skills required to manage your digital objects and do you have these or need to pay for them Reliability: is the storage well reviewed, well supported How many copies? A minimum of 2 Storage 3-2-1 Rule Example: 2 external hard drives, Cloud storage (not Facebook) Example: 2 external hard drives (1 stored off-site), Computer key takeaways from today’s show: Identify: what do you have Select: what to preserve Store: long-term storage of materials Multiple storage types and locations Resource & Best Practices Guidelines: Library of Congress Digital Preservation Outreach & Education https://www.dpoe.network Library of Congress Sustainability of Digital Formats https://www.loc.gov/preservation/digital/formats/index.html Tools & Templates Filelist Creator https://www.sttmedia.com/filelistcreator-faq Jennifer Ferretti’s Retention Schedule https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XO1XNavZnidmcR2kDBN2lCqsoM-GYqfxg6QcP5qCaW0/edit?usp=sharing Jennifer Ferretti’s Metadata for Personal Digital Archiving  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17KMvZMuNeGT2hv9TyZXgHZ-QSap-vd6NXPa1frPoHHM/edit?usp=sharing Maryland Institute College of Art - Batch Embed Metadata in Adobe Bridge Cheat Sheet https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zLB-K9KWOJITqmVC-upA7zoJzuunaPcDiwp8rq11QTw/edit?usp=sharing Copyright United States Copyright Office Works Not Protected by Copyright https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ33.pdf Society of American Archivists Selected Copyright Resources https://www2.archivists.org/groups/intellectual-property-working-group/selected-copyright-resources

Dennis is joined by KEVIN J FLEMING PHD a scholar, author, global keynote speaker, & philomath. Lover of life, bacon, & the counter-narrative. Kevin was one of the first Develop This! guests in July of 2018. Luckily not much has changed since then. Dennis and kevin discuss Kevin's work since he created his first video and wrote his first book and talk about how the economy and workforce preparation for our young people has changed. Are we making any progress? How do we reach today’s students and their parents? How can economic development professionals make an impact in this space? Dr. Kevin J Fleming is Founder & CEO of Catapult, the producer of multiple viral animation videos including Success in the New Economy, and author of the bestseller, (Re)Defining the Goal, He is a passionate advocate for ensuring all students enter the labor market with a competitive advantage. Kevin Fleming videos As the Founder & CEO of Catapult, he is redefining leadership & professional development through dynamic masterclasses curated for K-16 institutions. As Innovation & Strategic Development Specialist for the Los Angeles Regional Consortium, he supports CTE & workforce development with 19 community colleges in the 17th largest economy in the world. Dr. Fleming previously served as a college Vice President and as Dean of Instruction, Career & Technical Education at Norco College. Prior, he analyzed industry trends and labor market research through the Centers of Excellence for the California Community College system; the largest public education system in America. He has founded five private-sector companies in different service sectors, plus the National Center for Supply Chain Automation funded by the National Science Foundation (Washington DC). Dr. Kevin J Fleming is an accomplished leader with teaching & administrative experience at 4-year public, 4-year private, and 2-year public institutions. He has competitively secured/managed over $85 Million to advance economic & educational opportunity. Dr. Fleming has expertise in workforce development, education, research, educational innovation, strategic initiative execution, and career readiness. He has conducted leadership trainings for over 25 years accompanied by numerous conference presentations and published articles/books. His career activities have helped influence state legislation, district student-success initiatives, and funding allocations within 38 states/countries. Dr. Kevin J Fleming is a faculty member, thought leader, and a recovering academic elitist. A true life-long learner, he has earned two Bachelor’s degrees from Loyola Marymount University (Psychology & Philosophy); a Master of Arts from The Ohio State University (Educational Policy & Leadership), an MBA from the University of Redlands, and a Ph.D. in Education from Claremont Graduate University...but it was his CTE industry certification in geographical information systems (GIS) that lifted him out of working poverty. He has been honored with the Presidential Citation for Outstanding Achievement and Service from Loyola Marymount University and the Corona Chamber of Commerce “40 Under 40” award. Dr. Kevin J Fleming is a proud eagle scout, husband, father, certified etiquette trainer, has completed five marathons, and remains an active volunteer with Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity (Distinguished Alumnus Award), and his local church. Dr. Fleming works tirelessly towards an educational model that is flexible, purpose-driven, student-focused, and career-minded.  Energetic, passionate, & principled, he believes in the power of education to transform lives.  

Finding Your Niche in Economic Development Economic Development is a very broad field. There are many types of organizations and a lot of different areas that you can focus on. In this episode, Dennis and Broderick compare and contrast the different types of economic development organizations from one-person offices to the corporate world.  Pros and cons of being part of a smaller organization Fewer resources Smaller budgets More opportunities to make a direct impact Opportunities to work in many areas Larger organizations also have their pros and cons More resources Larger budgets Opportunity to specialize in an area Harder to make a direct impact Easier to get lost in the shuffle The IEDC Certification process is a good way to learn about many areas of economic development. Core Competency courses (all four required): Introduction to Economic Development or Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC) Business Retention and Expansion Economic Development Credit Analysis Real Estate Development & Reuse Elective Competency Courses (minimum of 2): Economic Development Finance Economic Development Marketing & Attraction Economic Development Strategic Planning Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development Strategies Neighborhood Development Strategies Management Economic Development Organizations Technology-led Economic Development Workforce Development Foreign Direct Investment & Exporting  

Friend of the show Mark Perna is back to discuss the Career Tree concept he developed to help students understand local career opportunities.  What is a career tree? What was the genesis for the Career Tree concept? How is a career tree developed? Career Tree is more than just a poster that hangs on the wall The process of how Career Trees are used in schools What age groups are best suited for the Career Tree? How can economic development groups play a role in the Career Tree process? Career Trees  Mark Perna

Dennis is joined by IEDC President Nathan Ohle, and they reflect on Nathan's first year as the president of IEDC. How has IEDC changed and evolved over the past year Strategic partnerships that IEDC has forged and developed The Equity in Economic Development Fellowship Program Economic Development Administration Announces Cooperative Agreement with IEDC and Partners IEDC Hails $1.12 Billion in Funding for the Economic Development Administration (EDA) An update on the IEDC strategic planning process Has anything surprised Nathan in his first year as IEDC President? What is next for IEDC? How can members become more plugged into IEDC? 2023 IEDC Conferences  JANUARY 29 - 31, 2023                                                                                                                    2023 Leadership Summit in Tucson, Arizona JUNE 21 - 23, 2023                                                                                                                         2023 Economic Future Forum in Calgary, Alberta SEPTEMBER 17 - 20, 2023,                                                                                                              2023 Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas

In this episode, Dennis and Broderick discuss measuring the performance of your economic development organization. What should you measure, how should you measure, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of measuring and reporting for you and your organization?  Background – Economic developers are, by nature, inquisitive. Typically, we use data on a regular basis, and there is a fundamental understanding of the importance of measuring performance. However, in this field, measurement can be more complex. There have been recent studies on the topic (IEDC “Measuring Success: Performance Measurement Survey – 2014” and the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness “Redefining Economic Development Performance Indicators for a Field in Transition” – 2017) highlighting how economic development leaders have started to seek indicators that fully capture and measure the range of activity they are involved in. There has been a transition from the almost exclusive emphasis on job creation/retention and capital investment to a more nuanced measurement system that considers and captures the following: Consequences/feedback Meaningful Benchmarks Actionable Items Qualitative Outcomes

Fearless Predictions for 2023! with new co-host Broderick Green. Dennis and Broderick pull out the Develop This! crystal ball and fearlessly predict the future. Primary areas economic development professionals should focus on in 2023 Is the economy speeding up or slowing down? Where is the country headed politically? Thoughts on the world and its impact on economic development Broderick Green                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Executive Director                                                                                                                                                                                                           Arlington Economic Development Corporation Connect with Broderick  

Enjoy this encore show from August 2020.  Jay Moon is a veteran of the economic development industry with roles that span a variety of key positions-including, a volunteer position as the former chair of the IEDC board of directors.  In this episode, Jay provides insight into disaster recovery, incentives, supply chains, and future skills needed in the economic development profession. Connect with Jay Moon      

Enjoy this encore episode from 2019 with Dennis and Jason discussing disruption in the field of economic development. Develop This! will be back with a new sound, new shows, and a new co-host in 2023. 

Dave Duncan, CEO of Iowa Communications Alliance, and Tim Fencil, General Manager & CEO of Danville Mutual Telephone Company, join Dennis for the second part of their how-to speak broadband discussion. Funding for broadband projects Is your community ready for a broadband project? What does the future of connectivity look like?

Broadband is the currency of the future for many communities. Economic Developers need to understand how to speak the language of broadband to become part of the connectivity solution in their communities. Dave Duncan, CEO of the Iowa Communications Alliance, and Tim Fencil, General Manager & CEO, of Danville Mutual Telephone company, join Dennis for a wide-ranging discussion on broadband service in America.  The three categories of broadband customers What's the issue with broadband service maps in the United States? Broadband Jeopardy! Dark fiber - what is that?

Mark Perna joins Dennis after a summer of traveling the United States, speaking to national, state, regional, and local organizations on the importance of understanding the difference in generations and their impact on workforce issues.  How to go beyond the rhetoric and create action Turning enthusiasm into progress by building working coalitions of the willing Avoiding the dreaded pinch point where nothing happens

Dennis is joined by Joi Cuatero Austin, Senior Program Officer, Economic  Vitality - Main Street America. Dennis and Joi discuss the Transformation Strategy of Main Street America. Main Street America Four Points Approach What is a transformation strategy? Measurable outcomes 

In this episode, Dennis is joined by Angee Shaker, Economic  Development  Director for the City of Solon, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. Dennis and Angee discuss improving the public transit experience for bus riders.  Paying attention to the obvious What you can learn by listening  How to build a coalition to solve a problem Making a difference in your community 

Dennis is joined by famous pie baker, entrepreneur, adventurer, and author Beth Howard. Beth is the author of four books, including Making Piece: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Pie and the cookbook Ms. American Pie. Join us for a discussion of life, love, loss, and the healing powers of pie. Beth talks about starting a pie-baking business inside the iconic American Gothic House in Eldon, IA. Beth also discusses her new book, WORLD Piece: A Pie Baker's Global Quest for Peace, Love, and Understanding https://bethmhoward.com/.  a demanding three-month, 30,000-mile journey full of pie baking, charming characters, and kindness. 

Dennis is joined by Nicole Sedlacek from the Mid-America Economic Development Council to discuss the 2022 Mid-America EDC Competitiveness Conference held November 30 - December 2nd in downtown Chicago