EDO Breakthrough – Details, episodes & analysis

Ebonie Atkins, Managing Director of Henrico Economic Development Authority, shares tips for networking and creating relationships. We also discuss business retention tactics, regionalism, partnerships, and teaching economic geography.

Key Takeaways:

• Tips for creating relationships in a people-focused industry 
• How to work with local partners for business retention efforts
• Balancing data and storytelling in economic development

About the Guest:

Ebonie Atkins is the Managing Director for the Henrico Economic Development Authority in Henrico, Virginia. Prior to the EDA, she served as the Business Investment Manager for VEDP where she worked directly with tech companies to support their relocation and expansion in Virginia. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/ebonieatkins) or contact her at [email protected]. 

Resources Mentioned:

• Henrico EDA website

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

Amanda Ellis, Editor-in-Chief for Livability.com, shares how EDOs can leverage storytelling when marketing their communities. In this episode, we discuss workforce trends like hybrid working and relocating, how AI will affect search engine optimization for prospects, and why professional development opportunities are so important for retaining employees.

Key Takeaways:

• How communities can leverage their unique assets for talent attraction and tourism
• Using experiences and meetups to create “stickiness” and retain talent
• How to get residents to see the benefits of growth

About the Guest:

Amanda Ellis is the Editor-in-Chief for Livability.com and hosts the “Inside America’s Best Cities” podcast. Prior to Livability, she worked in PR and with her local Chamber of Commerce in Chattanooga, TN. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/amandaellis1) and you can listen to Livability’s podcast here (livabilitymedia.com/podcast).

Resources Mentioned:

• Inside America’s Best Cities episode with Sandy 
• Livability’s Top 100 Best Places to Live 
• Chattanewbies 
• “We’re Busting These ChatGPT Myths Right Now” Blog Post 

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

Now working as a partner of an EDO, Zach Gilmore shares what it’s like to transition from a typical economic development role to supporting businesses more directly, his perspective on challenges that businesses are facing today, and how economic developers can leverage their local SBDC offices.

Key Takeaways:

• How to get your stakeholders to understand and support your EDO
• How (and why) economic developers can leverage their SBDC offices
• Challenges that businesses are facing today, and their solutions
• Current industry trends and AI

About the Guest:

Zach Gilmore is a Business Consultant with the Small Business Development Center in Marianna, Florida. Prior to the SBDC, he was the Vice President of Business Development with the Jackson County Economic Development Committee. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/zach-gilmore).

Resources Mentioned:

• Blog Post: Why Making Friends Is Good For Business
• SBDC UWF Website

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

Maria Satira, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Greeneville ENC Alliance, shares tips for knowing your audience, being the first person in a role, and staying in the know about PR. In this episode, we dive deep into all things marketing, and p.s., if you’re an economic developer – that means we’re talking to you too! 

Key Takeaways:

• Transferable skills from news anchoring to economic development
• Marketing insights that all EDOs can use as inspiration
• Talent retention activities that target high schoolers
• Establishing marketing goals that are aligned with your organization’s strategic plan

About the Guest:

Maria Satira is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Greeneville ENC Alliance. Prior to joining the Alliance in 2020, Maria was a news anchor in Greenville and also spent time in newsrooms in Winchester, Virginia; Wilmington, North Carolina; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/mariasatira).

Resources Mentioned:

• 5 Tips on How to Get Additional Communications Support When You’re Down a Staff Person – Free Resource
• Greeneville ENC Alliance Website

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

Andy Donahue, State Director of the Minnesota SBDC, shares how entrepreneurship is central to the nuanced, blended relationship between SBDCs, higher education institutions, and economic development organizations. We also discuss regionalism, talent retention efforts, and involvement with IEDC.

For anyone aiming for a significant promotion, he also shares insights into working at the center level vs. the state level for SBDC, including seeing the bigger picture, working with legislators, and managing larger budgets.

Key Takeaways:

• How regional clusters and remote workers affect economic development
• Talent retention and workforce development techniques that keep students in communities post-graduation
• Benefits of being involved with IEDC, state associations, and other professional development groups

About the Guest:

Andy Donahue is the State Director of the Minnesota SBDC at the Department of Employment and Economic Development. Prior to the Minnesota SBDC, he was the Center Director for the SBDC at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/andydonahue1).

Resources Mentioned:

• Minnesota SBDC Website

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

Welcome to EDO Breakthrough - the podcast where we tackle economic development challenges head on! 

From small towns to bustling cities, every place has its own hurdles to overcome. The EDO Breakthrough podcast creates an environment of collaboration, innovation, and understanding where we can share our real-life challenges and brainstorm solutions. 

I’m your host, Sandy Dubay, a certified economic developer and founder of PPR Strategies, the creative engine behind the EDO Breakthrough podcast. Each week, I’ll be welcoming a different, brilliant place-based mind to talk through a real-life economic development challenge that have been shared with us by YOU… our gracious listeners. 

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

For the season finale of EDO Breakthrough, we’ve invited Dane Carlson to be this week’s guest! Dane is the Host of the Econ Dev Show podcast and CEO of Sitehunt. We discuss all things podcasting, how to deal with change in the workplace, and the impetus behind creating Sitehunt, an AI platform that helps economic developers. 

Key Takeaways:

• What it’s *really* like to be the host of a podcast
• How Sitehunt can expedite the RFI process
• Similarities between AI and interns

About the Guest:

Dane Carlson is the CEO of Sitehunt, an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database. He is also the Host of the Econ Dev Show podcast. You can connect with Dane on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/danecarlson). 

Resources Mentioned:

• Econ Dev Show podcast
• Econ Dev Show newsletter
• Sitehunt
• 8 Weeks of Connections blog post

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

Ash Hanson is a rural arts advocate and in this episode, we discuss the four themes of rural community development: Activate, Connect, Nurture, and Support.

She also shares how arts & culture can intersect with economic development, how she creates opportunities for connection through her roles at DoPT and PlaceBase Productions, and her thoughts about #EroticCapital.

Key Takeaways:

• How Arts & Culture directly impact economic development
• Why viewing art as the “cherry on top” does a disservice to your community
• How to get your community activated (and excited) for what’s next

About the Guest:

Ash Hanson is the Creative Executive Officer (CEO) of the Department of Public Transformation (DoPT), an artist-led nonprofit organization that works to develop creative strategies for increased community connection, civic engagement, and equitable participation in rural places. She is also the founder of PlaceBase Productions, a theater company that creates original, site-specific musicals celebrating small-town life. You can connect with Ash on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/ash-hanson-a08172289). 

Resources Mentioned:

• Department of Public Transformation website
• PlaceBase Productions on Facebook
• Beyond The Clock virtual happy hour

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

Clarence Hulse is one of the few individuals in the industry who actively sought out a career in economic development. In this episode, we discuss lifelong learning, reverse mentorship, and the programs Michigan City is implementing to attract and develop its workforce.

Key Takeaways:

• How being in the private sector of real estate has made him a better economic developer
• Why “inclusive” economic development is important
• How infrastructure updates are boosting Michigan City’s economy

Resources Mentioned:

• The Vibrant Michigan City Playbook
• The South Shore Line Double Track Commuter Rail 

About the Guest:

Clarence Hulse is the Executive Director of the Economic Development Corporation in Michigan City. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/clarencehulse)

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

Sandy Castor shares her perspective on how transportation and economic development work together, professional development opportunities, and the power of mentorship. We also discuss “soft” skills, saying yes more, and her accidental path to economic development.

Key Takeaways:

• Why access to transportation *is* economic development
• The difference between mentors, advisors, and sponsors
• How “soft skills” are not soft

About the Guest:

Sandy Castor is an Economic Development professional. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/sandyscastor).

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.