One of my biggest regrets is that while a BRE manager, I so infrequently stopped to read helpful articles and sit in on webinars. Many would call this a millennial mindset (even though I would argue fully against it), but … Read More
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Lesson #3: Social Media Is Your Friend
This one is very straight forward but not well utilized. Social media can help you promote your community and various business activities. Have you gone on Twitter and searched #EconDev lately? If you do, you’ll find interesting economic development news … Read More
Lesson #2: Keep Your Data and Website Current
I can’t stress this enough: in the world of economic development data and statistics change fast. Really fast. In fact, by the time you update your website, you have probably received new info and need to change it again. I … Read More
Lesson #1: Regionalism
The benefit in supporting your neighboring communities is something that I picked up on as an economic developer. However, I truly did not understand the real value until I turned to consulting. It is easy to get caught up in … Read More
The Top 6 Lessons I've Learned in the First 6 Months of ED Consulting
Six months ago I made a big move: I left my position as an economic developer for a community that I had invested my heart and soul in for three years to become an economic development consultant at Impact DataSource. … Read More
ED Secret from 003: Putting the Private Sector in the Driver's Seat
SeonAh Kendall, Economic Health Manager in Fort Collins, Colorado, is a part of a very unique economic development team. Her department was one of the first organizations to be formed under the triple bottom line and they also have a … Read More
Economic Developer’s Guide to Pokemon Go
If you’ve ventured out from behind your desk over the past week, you’ve noticed how the new Pokemon Go app has taken over. We’ve all seen those posts on social media of different Pokemon with a backdrop of our real … Read More
ED Secret from 003: Putting the BRE in Breakfast
Last month, SeonAh Kendall, Economic Health Manager in Fort Collins, Colorado, shared with Economic Development Secrets listeners that her community didn’t have a business retention program when she started in 2012. It was up to her design a department based … Read More
Confessions from an Economic Development Economist
In the spirit of Economic Development Secrets, I’m going to get real real right now. I’m going to give you some insight you might not expect to hear from me. It’s okay if you don’t prepare a full impact analysis … Read More
Questions and Answers on the New IEDC EDRP Data Standards
Last month IEDC’s Economic Development Research Partners (EDRP) published a great new document for economic developers called “A New Standard: Achieving Data Excellence in Economic Development”. The document builds on the 2002 Site Selection Data Standards that were developed when … Read More