Develop This: Economic and Community Development

Latest Episodes:

DT #592 Navigating Leadership Transitions in Economic Development Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

1 In this episode of Develop This!, host Dennis Fraise sits down with Emily Benjamin, the President and CEO of the Lee County Economic Development Group (LCEDG)—the very role Dennis once held. Together, they explore the realities of leadership transition, organizational change, and the evolution of community-focused economic development.

Emily shares her non-linear career journey into the field, how a strategic overlap period helped ensure a smooth handoff, and what it's been like stepping into leadership of a small but impactful economic development organization. From navigating board dynamics and community expectations to fostering team trust and strategic growth, this episode offers an honest and practical look at what it takes to lead and evolve within the ever-changing world of community and economic development.

Key Takeaways

Leadership transitions require planning, patience, and trust to succeed.
An overlap period can help both outgoing and incoming leaders align on priorities and culture.
Board relationships and clear communication are essential for stability and success.
Economic development leadership means balancing community expectations with organizational capacity.
Adaptability and quick thinking are vital in a small EDO environment.
Support from a committed board and engaged stakeholders makes all the difference.
Understanding the organization's history and community context builds credibility and confidence.

DT #590 Next-Gen Leadership: How Young Professionals Are Shaping Small-Town Revivals Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

What does it mean to be a young leader in economic development today? In this episode, Develop This! contributing correspondent Joi Cuartero Austin sits down with Chandler Shook, Centerville, Iowa's new Main Street & Economic Development Director, to explore the realities, opportunities, and challenges of leading in a small community.

From his start as a city administrator to his current role championing Centerville's revitalization, Chandler shares his insights on navigating leadership at a young age, building credibility, and turning limited resources into creative momentum.

Together, they discuss how young professionals are reshaping the field, why patience and progress often go hand in hand, and how Main Street continues to serve as the heartbeat of community identity and pride.

Main Street Amercia

In this episode, you'll learn:

Chandler's unconventional journey into public service and economic development
The value and perspective young leaders bring to the profession—and the hurdles they face
How smaller communities can leverage scarcity to spark innovation and collaboration
Why "boomerang" residents are vital to sustaining local leadership
How Main Street captures the true soul of a community
What the next chapter of small-town economic development might look like

DT #591 Empowering Staff with AI: Inclusive AI Training Strategies Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Develop This! Podcast, Dennis Fraise is joined by Ashley Canada and Eric Canada for the third installment in a four-part series on building an AI blueprint. They dive into the essential role of workforce upskilling in successful AI adoption, explaining why AI training must extend beyond technical teams to prevent the creation of a two-tier workforce.

The discussion highlights how inclusive AI training not only builds employee skills but also boosts morale, engagement, and organizational growth. Listeners will gain actionable strategies for empowering employees, leveraging AI to amplify human strengths, and involving staff in identifying opportunities for AI implementation.

The episode also explores quick wins that spark awareness, the evolving roles of AI in economic development organizations, and practical ways to integrate AI into a broader workforce development strategy.

Key Takeaways:

Upskilling the entire workforce is essential for successful AI adoption.
Selective training risks creating a two-tiered workforce.
AI enhances human capabilities and engagement—it doesn't replace people.
Inclusive training fosters morale, ownership, and organizational alignment.
Staff input is critical for identifying AI opportunities that add real value.
Automating repetitive tasks frees humans for higher-value work.
Understanding AI tools amplifies unique human strengths.
Economic development organizations play a role in broader community AI education.
Quick wins in AI training build awareness and momentum.
Future-ready employees will work alongside AI copilots to achieve more.