Develop This: Economic and Community Development

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Latest Episodes:

DT #657 Beyond Small: Winning Strategies for Rural Economic Development Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

What does it take for rural communities to compete and grow in today's economy?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Jolene Schalper, EVP of the Great Falls Montana Development Alliance, to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping rural economic development.

Jolene shares her journey from nonprofit leadership into economic development and explains how collaboration, creativity, and community trust play critical roles in driving regional growth.

The conversation highlights how Great Falls is leveraging local strengths to support entrepreneurship, attract investment, and create long-term economic momentum. Workforce and housing challenges are also a major focus, with Jolene emphasizing the importance of data-driven strategies and proactive planning to support sustainable growth.

The discussion also explores how rural communities can position themselves competitively for larger opportunities, including foreign direct investment, while still maintaining strong local identity and community connections.

A key takeaway? Rural communities have unique advantages—and with the right leadership, partnerships, and vision, they can compete far beyond their size.

Key Takeaways

Rural communities can compete by leveraging local strengths and partnerships
Collaboration and trust-building are essential for long-term growth
Entrepreneurship plays a major role in rural economic resilience
Housing and workforce challenges require proactive, data-driven solutions
Creativity and adaptability are critical in economic development leadership
Rural regions can successfully attract major investment opportunities

Key Topics Covered

Rural economic development strategies
Community collaboration and leadership
Entrepreneurship and small business support
Workforce and housing challenges
Foreign direct investment opportunities
Professional development in economic development

Sound Bites

"Data drives decisions in our housing strategy."
"We swing for the fences to grow our community."
"Second place sucks—no ribbon for losing."

DT #654 Rebuilding Better: How New Orleans Turned Disaster Into Long-Term Economic Growth Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

What does it take to rebuild an economy after a disaster—and turn it into a model for long-term growth?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Michael Hecht, CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc., to explore lessons learned from leading economic recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina and 9/11.

Michael shares how New Orleans approached rebuilding not just infrastructure, but its entire economic foundation—balancing urgency with long-term strategy, and recovery with reinvention.

A major theme is the importance of community involvement in shaping recovery efforts. He emphasizes that post-disaster planning cannot be top-down, and that successful rebuilding requires both structure and local autonomy to respond effectively to evolving needs.

The conversation also highlights how New Orleans has leveraged innovation, incentives, and workforce development to reposition itself for future growth—particularly in emerging sectors like tech and innovation.

A key takeaway? Economic recovery is not just about rebuilding what was lost—it's about designing something stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient.

Key Takeaways

Post-disaster recovery requires both structure and local autonomy
Community involvement is essential in rebuilding efforts
Incentives must balance short-term recovery with long-term value
Workforce development is critical to economic resilience
Innovation is playing a growing role in New Orleans' economic shift
Strong leadership is key to navigating complex recovery environments

Key Topics Covered

Post-disaster economic recovery strategies
Lessons from Hurricane Katrina and 9/11 recovery efforts
Community involvement in economic planning
Workforce development and skills alignment
Incentive design for sustainable growth
Leadership approaches in crisis and recovery

Sound Bites

"You can't plan top down post disaster."
"Create structure but give autonomy."
"Stay proactive and avoid complacency."

DT #655 Building Thriving Communities: Leadership, Trust, and the Power of Regional Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

What does it take to build thriving communities across an entire region?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Barb Lamue to explore her unique journey from law enforcement to economic development—and the leadership lessons she's learned along the way.

Drawing from decades of experience in regional collaboration and workforce strategy, Barb shares how trust, authenticity, and long-term relationship building have helped shape successful community development efforts across Wisconsin.

A major focus of the conversation is workforce development, particularly the growing importance of digital upskilling, adaptability, and preparing communities for the future of work. Barb also discusses the role mentorship and continuous learning play in developing effective leaders and resilient organizations.

The discussion highlights the power of regional partnerships and public-private collaboration, showing how aligned communities can create stronger economic outcomes than isolated efforts.

A key takeaway? Sustainable economic development starts with people—building trust, investing in talent, and leading with authenticity.

Key Takeaways

Regional collaboration is built on trust and long-term relationships
Workforce development and digital skills are critical for future growth
Authentic leadership strengthens community impact
Mentorship and lifelong learning are essential in economic development
Public-private partnerships drive stronger regional outcomes
Community prosperity requires intentional collaboration and service

Key Topics Covered

Transition from law enforcement to economic development
Regional collaboration and trust-building
Workforce development and digital upskilling
Leadership lessons and mentorship
Community impact and innovative programs
Future trends in economic development and AI

Sound Bites

"Act with integrity and be the best version of yourself"
"Our mission is always to build prosperity for communities"
"Be authentic and true to yourself in community support"

DT #652 Small Country, Big Strategy: Costa Rica's Rise in High-Value Global Investment Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

What does it take for a small country to compete for high-value global investment in today's economy?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Pilar Madrigal of the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency to explore how Costa Rica is evolving into a strategic hub for advanced industries and foreign direct investment.

From its geographic position connecting North and South America to its growing reputation in high-tech sectors, Costa Rica is positioning itself as more than a nearshoring destination—it's becoming a knowledge-driven economy focused on long-term value creation.

Pilar explains how the country has successfully diversified beyond tourism into industries such as life sciences, digital health, medical technology, AI, and advanced manufacturing. This transformation is powered by a strong emphasis on talent development and education, which she describes as the foundation of Costa Rica's competitiveness.

A key theme throughout the conversation is that investment decisions are shifting. Companies are no longer just prioritizing cost or proximity—they are evaluating talent availability, risk mitigation, ecosystem stability, and total operating value.

The discussion also highlights the importance of trust and strategic advisory relationships in attracting and retaining global investors, as well as Costa Rica's intentional focus on building long-term partnerships rather than transactional wins.

A central takeaway? Costa Rica's competitive edge lies not in scale, but in stability, talent, and a deliberate strategy to move up the value chain.

Key Takeaways

Costa Rica serves as a strategic bridge between North and South America
The economy is shifting from tourism to high-value knowledge industries
Talent development is the core driver of long-term competitiveness
Nearshoring now prioritizes resilience and value over proximity alone
Trust and long-term partnerships are key to investor attraction
Stability and ecosystem maturity offset size limitations
Investment decisions increasingly focus on total operating value

Key Topics Covered

Costa Rica's geographic and strategic advantages
Economic diversification into high-tech and life sciences
Workforce development and talent pipeline strategies
Challenges of scale and cost competitiveness
Role of investment promotion and advisory strategy
Nearshoring and global investment trends
Trust-building with international investors

Sound Bites

"The main hurdle is the size of the talent pool."
"The future of FDI is about transformation."
"A common mistake is competing only on cost."

DT #653 Leading with Vision: Why Communities Need Big, Audacious Goals Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

What role do big, bold visions play in shaping stronger communities and more effective leaders?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise is joined by Mark Perna to explore how optimism, storytelling, and ambitious goals can inspire innovation, community engagement, and long-term growth.

Drawing inspiration from the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, the conversation examines how major rallying points can unite people around a shared purpose and create momentum for transformational change.

Mark and Dennis discuss the importance of balancing realism with aspiration in leadership, emphasizing that communities need both practical strategies and compelling visions for the future. They also highlight how storytelling helps leaders connect emotionally with people and build trust around bold ideas.

A major theme throughout the episode is courage—the willingness to make decisive moves, embrace uncertainty, and think beyond short-term challenges in pursuit of meaningful progress.

A key takeaway? People are drawn to hope, purpose, and leaders who are willing to think bigger than the moment in front of them.

Key Takeaways

Optimism and vision are essential drivers of community growth
Shared rallying points can unite and energize communities
Storytelling strengthens leadership and public engagement
Effective leaders balance realism with aspiration
Courage and decisiveness are critical in driving change
Long-term thinking is necessary for lasting impact

Key Topics Covered

Vision and optimism in leadership
Apollo and transformational thinking
Community engagement through storytelling
Leadership habits that fuel innovation
Balancing aspiration with practical action
Purpose-driven leadership for future generations

Sound Bites

"People want hope more than anything"
"What's in it for me?"
"Fear of loss drives big, audacious goals"

DT #669 Smaller Business Week: Why Microbusinesses Matter Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

In celebration of Small Business Week, this episode of Develop This! takes a closer look at the businesses that are often small in size but powerful in impact: microbusinesses.

Friend of the show, Erik Reader brings Marci Goodwin, co-founder of SmartStart to speak with Joi Cuartero Austin for a conversation about why communities should pay closer attention to solopreneurs, makers, freelancers, consultants, pop-up vendors, home-based businesses, side hustlers, and gig workers. Together, they explore how these "smaller" businesses contribute to local economies, build community identity, create flexible income opportunities, and represent a growing part of the future workforce.

The conversation reframes Small Business Week as "Smaller Business Week", a celebration of the people who are creating their own opportunities, testing ideas, building income streams, and thinking entrepreneurially, whether or not they ever plan to open a storefront or hire a team.

This episode also challenges economic developers, Main Street leaders, chambers, and community partners to think differently about business support. As work continues to change, communities may need to better recognize that entrepreneurship is not only about business ownership, it is also about skills, adaptability, creativity, and economic self-determination.

Small Business Week is a time to celebrate local businesses, but this episode widens the lens to include the smallest businesses in our communities, the ones that may not always be visible, but are increasingly important to local economies and the future of work.

DT #650 Building Inclusive Economies: How Private Sector Lessons Drive Community Transformation Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

What does it take to build economies that are truly inclusive—and built for long-term impact?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Philip Gaskin to explore his diverse career spanning the private sector, entrepreneurship, and community development—and how those experiences shape his approach to economic transformation today.

Philip shares how lessons from the private sector can directly inform economic development strategy, especially when it comes to innovation, ecosystem building, and driving measurable community impact. The conversation also highlights the importance of addressing systemic barriers that limit access to capital and opportunity in underserved communities.

A key focus is the role of economic developers as connectors—bridging policy, private sector insight, and community needs to build stronger, more resilient local economies.

The discussion also touches on Kansas City's evolving economic landscape and how regional ecosystems can serve as powerful models for inclusive growth and entrepreneurial support.

Key Takeaways

Private sector experience can strengthen economic development strategy
Inclusive growth requires addressing access to capital and opportunity gaps
Economic developers play a key role in policy and collaboration
Strong ecosystems drive innovation and community transformation
Kansas City offers a model for regional economic growth
Continuous transformation is essential for long-term impact

Key Topics Covered

Private sector lessons for economic development
Community and economic transformation
Inclusive entrepreneurship and access to capital
Role of economic developers in policy and collaboration
Kansas City's ecosystem and growth model

Sound Bites

"Crazy times call for crazy organizations"
"Communities need to embrace their potential"
"Continual work on transforming communities"

DT #651 Lithuania Rising: How a Small Nation Became a Global Hub for FinTech and Innovation Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

How did Lithuania transform itself into one of Europe's fastest-rising investment and innovation hubs?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Rūta Kriščiūnaitė from Invest Lithuania to explore the country's remarkable economic evolution and growing global influence.

From FinTech and global business services to defense and data centers, Lithuania has positioned itself as a competitive destination for high-value investment. Ruta explains how the country's strategic location, modern infrastructure, and business-friendly environment continue to attract international companies and talent.

A major focus of the conversation is workforce development. Lithuania's emphasis on upskilling, talent attraction, and strong collaboration between government, education, and industry has helped fuel growth across emerging sectors.

The discussion also dives into Lithuania's rise as a FinTech powerhouse, supported by forward-thinking regulation and licensing frameworks that helped the country become one of the EU's leading FinTech ecosystems.

Energy independence and renewable energy investments are also reshaping the country's long-term strategy, while defense manufacturing and innovation are emerging as major priorities in response to shifting geopolitical realities.

A key takeaway? Lithuania's success comes from its willingness to evolve, test new industries, and invest strategically in future growth sectors.

Key Takeaways

Lithuania has become a major hub for FinTech, business services, and innovation
Workforce upskilling and talent attraction are central to growth strategy
Strategic regulation helped accelerate FinTech development
Renewable energy and energy independence are key priorities
Defense is becoming an increasingly important strategic industry
Long-term growth depends on continuously testing and developing new sectors

Key Topics Covered

Lithuania's geographic and infrastructure advantages
The role of Invest Lithuania in economic development
Workforce development and talent strategies
FinTech growth and regulatory innovation
Renewable energy and energy independence
Defense industry investments and future sectors

Sound Bites

"Defense is the new strategic industry for Lithuania."
"Lithuania signed a deal to purchase 44 Leopard tanks."
"Testing new industries is crucial for future growth."

DT #648 Why Hungary Wins: Inside Europe's Fastest-Evolving Investment Destination May 27, 2026

Show notes

What makes a country stand out in the global race for investment?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Fadi Shadeh of the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency to explore why Hungary has become one of Central Europe's most dynamic investment destinations.

From its strategic location at the heart of Europe to its deep integration into the EU single market, Hungary offers companies access to major markets, efficient logistics, and strong infrastructure. Fadi explains how the country's positioning enables fast access across Europe while supporting complex global supply chains.

The conversation dives into Hungary's economic transformation, particularly its shift toward higher-value industries like electromobility, battery manufacturing, business services, and R&D. While manufacturing remains a strong base, the country is rapidly expanding its role in advanced services and innovation-driven sectors.

A major focus is workforce development. With a strong university network and a dual education system that connects students directly with industry, Hungary is building a talent pipeline designed to meet modern business needs—often producing job-ready graduates aligned with employer demand.

Fadi also breaks down how the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency operates as a "one-stop shop" for investors—helping companies navigate location decisions, incentives, site visits, and long-term expansion strategies.

Key Takeaways

Hungary's central location provides strong access to European and global markets
The economy is shifting toward electromobility, batteries, and business services
Talent development is supported through a strong university system and dual education model
The Investment Promotion Agency acts as a one-stop shop for investors
Regional cities are becoming key drivers of future growth
Investment success depends on talent, infrastructure, and long-term trust

Key Topics Covered

Hungary's geographic and strategic advantages
Economic transformation and industry mix

DT #649 The New Rules of Site Selection: Power, Risk, and the Future of Industrial Location Strategy May 27, 2026

Show notes

What are the new rules shaping where major industrial projects choose to land?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Courtney Dunbar, Director of Site Selection at Burns & McDonnell, to unpack how technology, geopolitics, and infrastructure demands are reshaping modern site selection.

Courtney breaks down how today's location decisions are being influenced far beyond traditional cost factors. From energy availability to geopolitical stability, companies are weighing risks and long-term resilience more heavily than ever before.

A major focus of the conversation is infrastructure—especially power. As industries like battery manufacturing and advanced manufacturing expand, access to reliable, scalable energy has become a critical deal-maker (or deal-breaker).

The discussion also explores the evolution of "site readiness," highlighting why master planning and strategic preparation of industrial sites delivers high returns for communities competing for investment.

Courtney emphasizes that success in site selection today comes down to one thing: building a strong, defensible business case that aligns with industry needs, infrastructure realities, and long-term growth potential.

Key Takeaways

Site selection is increasingly shaped by technology, geopolitics, and infrastructure
Power availability is a critical driver of industrial investment decisions
Battery manufacturing is growing beyond EV applications
Master-planned, shovel-ready sites offer a strong competitive advantage
Communities must understand and clearly communicate site limitations
Strong business cases are essential to winning projects

Key Topics Covered

Technological change in site selection
Geopolitical impacts on location decisions
Energy infrastructure and industrial demand
Battery manufacturing trends
Site readiness and community strategy

Sound Bites

"Battery manufacturing is growing, but not primarily for EVs."
"Master planning sites is a high ROI investment."
"Success depends on building a strong business case."

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