Inside America's Best Cities, An Economic Development Podcast

Discover how South Dakota is attracting new residents and tackling workforce needs with its innovative Dakota Roots program . We talk with Program Manager Alex Neuland about how Dakota Roots job advisors provide personalized support for relocators, from exploring job opportunities to navigating the move itself.    At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities acr...

In this conversation with Matt Tackett, President of the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) , we delve into the South as a premier investment location. Tune in to learn about SEDC's global reach, commitment to innovation and how it fosters collaboration among 17 member states.    At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also...

Green jobs are booming in the U.S., and in North Port St. Joe, leaders are leveraging workforce training in green jobs to revitalize the local economy. This free 6-week brownfield training program helps residents gain green-collar skills to meet growing demand in the environmental sector.   Resources Mentioned: Becoming a Clean Slate Community   At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness o...

In this episode, we meet Philadelphia's night mayor and delve into the importance of a city's nighttime economy – it's not just about the fun, but the economic impact.    At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magaz...

Traverse City's Northern Explorers spend a weekend experiencing what it'd be like to live in this beautiful community. In this episode, Abby Baudry of Traverse Connect and Michigan's Creative Coast , joins us to share more about this program with a 50% success rate of relocation.    At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner...

From big wins to boomerangs – and recruiting them back to town, what's behind all the success in Greensboro? In this episode, Marvin Price, Executive Vice President of Economic Development for the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce , joins us to talk about these wins and much more.    At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner w...

AI has been a hot button topic in 2024, to say the least. In our interview with Chmura 's Mike Chmura, we look at the data on AI jobs to offer a better understanding of the AI job market especially for economic developers looking to stay ahead of the curve.   Resources mentioned: The State of AI Jobs   JobsEQ     At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities acro...

Learn about the Taylor Swift Effect on Kansas City due to the pop star's romance with Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce. Danielle Hilton of TeamKC joins us in this episode to chat about maximizing happenings that put your city in the limelight, through the lens of KC's pop culture moments. Resources mentioned: Our City Was a Character on The Office KC Options Magazine Kansas City Small Businesses T...

Each season, we hear from a community who recently won a significant project. On this Pick Me! episode, Joey Deason, Executive Director of the Madison County Economic Development Authority in Mississippi, joins us to talk about landing a $10 billion investment from Amazon Web Services.   At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also pa...

Wondering how to promote your small to mid-sized city? Tune in to hear how Livability can help, plus the perks of living in a smaller city, highlights of our research on American relocation and what we want when it comes to where we live.    Resources mentioned: Livability's Relocation Research Livability's Talent Attraction Newsletter  Have Livability Speak at Your Next Event     At Livability, w...

In this episode, Nicole Bentley of Safal Partners covers all the ins and outs of Registered Apprenticeship and how apprenticeship can help build the workforce you need. Questions? Reach out to her at nicole.bentley@safalpartners.com.   At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companie...

In this episode, learn about Arvada, CO's approach to supporting local manufacturers. Iza Petrykowska, Executive Director at the Arvada Economic Development Association shares how this program helps retain jobs, increase sales and foster a thriving manufacturing sector.   At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with commu...

Hear firsthand how the award-winning Shared Equipment Program is revolutionizing access to expensive, specialized machinery for Ponca City's manufacturers.   At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs....

Internships are key to your talent pipeline and boost talent retention in your community. What can you do to make more of them available to students in your area? Workforce development expert Becca Cruger shares tips and a case study: the Intern Grand Forks program .    Resources Mentioned: Grand Forks Workforce Pipeline Map   At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-siz...

Prepping for your next fundraising or support campaign? You're in the right place with this interview from Tom DiFiore of National Community Development Services helping you put your best foot forward for securing those dollars.  At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and...

We're talking data centers to kick off Season 5! Bryan Rothamel, Culpeper County (VA) Economic Development , shares about the Culpeper Technology Zone, a 690-acre campus designated to host data centers and advance the STEM industries at the forefront of Culpeper's economy.    At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with c...

Stacy Garmon, President & CEO of the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce , chats with us about their Tours for Teachers program connecting educators with local businesses and insights into current workforce needs.  At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents...

In this episode, Joe Scantlebury, President & CEO of Living Cities , discusses the critical role of homeownership in wealth building and how Living Cities promotes equitable access to capital through not only home ownership, but business ownership, and more to build an economy where everyone can thrive. At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the cou...

We're taking you back into our archives with this episode featuring  Mike Christenson of Applied Geographic Solutions , Livability's data partner on our recently released Top 100 Best Places to Live in 2024 .  Mike shares about how the right data can have a big impact on your efforts to draw talent and businesses. At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities acr...

Jason Archer, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership , shares about how you can work with peers in your community to level up your business retention and expansion efforts. At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print...

Marcus Randolph, President & CEO of Invest Newark , explains how this EDO uses the Newark Land Bank to revitalize properties, making homeownership accessible and affordable for more residents. We also chat about other considerations for community leaders who want to boost the rate of home ownership, and why it's important work.  At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-s...

Sandy Dubay, President & CEO of PPR Strategies , delves into streamlining your economic development marketing strategy with tips from her 20+ years of experience in this niche. We chat about DIY approaches vs. engaging outside support, how to lighten your marketing load by collaborating with others in your community and much more.  At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mi...

Each season, we hear from a community who recently won a significant project. On this Pick Me! Episode, Jeff Rea, President & CEO of Indiana's South Bend Regional Chamber , joins us to talk about landing GM & Samsung SDI's $3.5 billion investment in an EV battery cell plant in St. Joseph County. At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We...

In this episode, Chelsey Roney, co-founder of  Proxi , joins us for a chat about using customizable maps to elevate your place marketing   At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs. Be sure to subscri...

In the second installment of our two-part child care series, Garrett Dolan, Associate Director of Human Resources at Tyson Foods , talks about Tyson's onsite child care facility at the company's Humboldt, TN plant, including plenty of takeaways for businesses and economic developers.  Resources Mentioned: Clarksville-Montgomery County IDB's Industrial Park Model At Livability, we highlight the uns...