Develop This: Economic and Community Development

Summary In this episode of the Develop This! Podcast, Dennis Fraise is joined by Ashley Canada and Eric Canada for part two of their four-part series on building an AI blueprint. The discussion zeroes in on the critical role of AI audits in shaping a business's technology strategy. Training and governance are central elements integrated with an audit. From identifying broken processes to uncoverin...

In this episode of the Develop This! podcast, host Dennis Fraise dives into the newly released 2025 State of Site Selection annual report with guests Michelle Comerford from the Site Selectors Guild and Robyn Domber from Development Counsellors International . Together, they unpack the trends shaping facility location decisions and explore their implications for economic and community development...

In this episode of the Develop This! Podcast Dennis Fraise sits down with Michelle Comerford , Chair of the Site Selectors Guild , to discuss the Guild's expanding role in shaping economic development strategies worldwide. Michelle shares the Guild's mission, the rigorous vetting process for membership, and how its 72 members, located across the globe, bring unmatched expertise to corporate locati...

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping industries, but success requires more than adopting new tools. In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise joins Ashley and Eric Canada to unveil the AI Transformation Blueprint—a strategic framework for navigating AI adoption with clarity and confidence.   Together, they explore how organizations can  m ov e beyond experimenting with countless AI solutions...

🎙️ Show Description The future of work is undergoing a profound generational shift, and Gen Z is at the forefront of this transformation. In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis and Mark Perna explore how Gen Z's entrepreneurial mindset, focus on technology, and demand for authenticity are reshaping workforce dynamics. With Millennials and Gen Z projected to make up 75% of the workforce by 2030,...

Why start from scratch when you can buy your way to success? 🎙️ Harvard Business School's Richard Ruback & Royce Yudkoff share their blueprint for entrepreneurship through acquisition, spotting high-value businesses, and raising capital. 🎧 Listen now: Think Big, Buy Small: Harvard's Blueprint for Business Ownership Harvard Business School professors Richard Ruback and Royce Yudkoff join Dennis Fr...

Summary In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise and Rick Kiernan with Convergent Nonprofit Solutions discuss the evolving landscape of funding for economic development organizations. They explore the shift from traditional funding methods to a focus on workforce development, housing, placemaking, and childcare. Rick shares insights from his extensive experience in fundraising and highlight...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Hugh McDonald, Arkansas Secretary of Commerce, as he shares his journey from the utility sector to leading state commerce. Discover the challenges, achievements, and future plans for Arkansas's economic development. Key Points: Hugh McDonald's transition from Entergy to the Secretary of Commerce The creation and impact of the IMPACT legislative package C...

In this episode of Develop This! Dennis is joined by Maureen Donahue Krauss,  President and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership , and they discuss Detroit today and the upcoming 2025 IEDC Annual Conference in Detroit.   Get ready for an exciting preview of the 2025 IEDC Annual Conference in Detroit! This episode offers a sneak peek into the anticipated sessions, keynote speakers, and innovativ...

Episode Description: Join us in this insightful episode as Dennis welcomes back Mark Perna, a regular contributor to Forbes , to discuss the evolving landscape of networking. Discover how Gen Z is reshaping networking norms, the importance of genuine connections, and strategies to stand out in today's competitive job market.   Key Takeaways: Gen Z's approach to networking: moving beyond cold calls...

Summary In this episode of the Develop This Podcast, Dennis Fraise is joined by Eric Canada and Ashley Canada to discuss the importance of AI literacy and its implications for economic development. They explore the origins of their AI workshops, the challenges of understanding AI, and the necessity of starting with personal applications. The conversation delves into effective prompting techniques,...

Summary In this episode of the Develop This Podcast, Dennis Fraise interviews Bethany Miller , a Senior Economic Development Consultant at Hickey Global . They discuss Bethany's unique career path, her experiences in various economic development roles, and the skills necessary for success in the field. Bethany shares insights on navigating career transitions, her time at Amazon, and the current st...

Summary In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise interviews Clint O'Neill , the executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission . They discuss the importance of economic development in small towns, highlighting success stories of major companies like Walmart, Tyson Foods, and Murphy USA. Clint shares insights on the role of the timber and agriculture industries in Arkansa...

In this special episode, Joi Cuartero Austin of Main Street America sits down with colleagues Erik Reader and Jonathan Stone to reflect on their experience at the IEDC Rural Retreat in Great Falls, Montana. They discuss the power of data, the importance of people-powered revitalization, and how Main Street strategies are showing up in economic development conversations like never before. From hype...

Summary In this episode of Develop This, Dennis Fraise is joined by Joe April with Convergent Nonprofit Solutions and Dr. John Rainone, President of Mountain Gateway Community College , to discuss the vital role of community colleges in workforce development. They share personal stories highlighting the transformative impact of community colleges, explore how these institutions are adopting entrep...

Summary In this episode, Dennis and Mark Perna discuss the essential professional skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven workplace. They explore the importance of communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and other skills that will set individuals apart in the evolving job market. Mark emphasizes that while AI is a powerful tool, it cannot replace the human touch and the unique skills...

Summary In this episode of Develop This, Dennis Fraise interviews Tamika Jenkins , the executive director of The Bean Path , a tech nonprofit in Jackson, Mississippi. They discuss Tamika's background in economic development, the challenges and opportunities in Jackson's economy, and the mission of The Bean Path to bridge the digital gap through technology education. The conversation highlights the...

In this episode, Joi Cuartero Austin is joined once again by Erik Reader for a lively and insightful conversation around the concept of Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper (LQC) — a placemaking approach that emphasizes small-scale, low-cost, and fast-to-implement strategies for revitalizing public spaces and neighborhood districts. Originally popularized by the nonprofit Project for Public Spaces in the ear...

Summary In this episode of the Develop This Podcast, Mark Perna discusses the evolution of career trees into Skill Trees , emphasizing the importance of teaching professional skills to younger generations. He outlines the structure of the skill tree curriculum, which spans from kindergarten through joining the workforce, and highlights the need for a competitive advantage in today's job market. Th...

Summary In this episode of the Develop This Podcast, host Sean Maguire welcomes Allison Carter , the Director of Economic Development for Lowell, Massachusetts . They discuss the city's unique economic landscape, including its history, the Downtown Lowell Vacant Storefront Program, and the innovative Project Pop-Up retail incubator. Allison shares success stories from these initiatives, highlighti...

Summary In this episode of the Develop This Podcast, host Dennis engages with Jared Smith and Dr. Bo Bernhard to discuss the concept of the fun economy, its impact on economic development, and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping future trends. They explore how the fun economy, which encompasses tourism, sports, and entertainment, is becoming a significant driver of global economic growt...

Joi Cuartero Austin is joined by Erik Reader , Director of Illinois Main Street, and Jonathan Stone , Program Officer at Main Street America , for a lively discussion about the upcoming IEDC Rural Retreat in Great Falls, Montana. This first-of-its-kind event by the International Economic Development Council is designed specifically for professionals working in  rural and tribal communities —and th...

Summary In this episode of Develop This Podcast, Dennis Fraise interviews Brian Abernathy , General Manager of Convergent Nonprofit Solutions , discussing the importance of revenue benchmarking for Economic Development Organizations (EDOs). They explore how public-private partnerships have become best practices in funding, the methodology behind revenue benchmarking studies, and the significance o...

Summary In this episode, Dennis and Mark Perna delve into the complexities of Generation Z , exploring the misconceptions surrounding their work ethic, engagement, and aspirations. They discuss the impact of technology, particularly AI, on this generation and the challenges leaders face in connecting with young people. The conversation emphasizes the need for relevance and purpose in education and...

Summary In this episode of the Develop This Podcast, Dennis Fraise interviews Tiffany Tauscheck , the president and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership . They discuss the organization's role in economic and community development across 12 counties in Iowa, highlighting the importance of collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Tiffany shares insights into the current economic climate, key i...