Livability: Inside America's Best Cities: Recent Episodes
Livability Media
We delve into all things talent attraction and economic development, bringing you insights from America’s most promising places and industry professionals on how your community can be a better place to live, work and play. At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities, and help communities reach target companies and residents through custom content programs. Learn more at LivabilityMedia.com.
The way people find and judge a community is changing fast, and standing out now takes more than a great website.
In this episode, Bethany Quinn of Golden Shovel Agency makes the case that in 2026, setting your community apart comes down to two things: being everywhere your audience is, and being specific enough that no one could swap your community's name for another.
We also get into why video is the most underused tool in economic development, the three questions EDOs still aren't answering on their websites, and how AI is quietly changing the way people find (and judge) a community.
Resources Mentioned:
- Golden Shovel Agency
- Shovel Talk Podcast
- My Episode on Shovel Talk
- Broken Arrow's Website
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00:00 Introduction
02:04 About Golden Shovel Agency
06:59 Why video is underused in economic development
08:40 Where to start with video on a budget
09:42 Site selection vs. talent attraction marketing
13:35 The most important pieces of a 2026 marketing strategy
15:40 How AI is changing place marketing
19:48 Three questions EDOs aren't answering on their websites
22:27 What makes the Economic Gateway platform different
23:23 Case study: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
25:56 What to look for in a marketing partner
29:11 Fun closing question
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At Livability, we highlight the nation's most vibrant small and mid-sized cities as a trusted voice for communities across America. We help places attract talent and reach target companies through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
For six years, Minnesota lost more residents than it gained. To reverse it, the state's tourism office made a bet: the same things that get people to visit can get them to stay.
In this episode, Lauren Bennett McGinty shares how Explore Minnesota expanded into talent attraction and why tourism offices are uniquely positioned to sell people on relocating, not just visiting.
We dig into the "halo effect" that turns a great visit into a relocation, how her team targeted entirely unexpected markets by focusing on high-demand career fields, and the messy challenge of measuring when a visitor becomes a resident.
She also breaks down the "Come Visit Your Neighbors" campaign, which was born out of a difficult news cycle, and makes the case for first-person storytelling as the best way to stand out when so many places are selling the same things.
Resources Mentioned:
- Explore Minnesota Website
- Moving to Minnesota
- Come Visit Your Neighbors Campaign Video
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00:00 Introduction
02:38 Overview of Minnesota's offerings for visitors and residents
05:19 How Explore Minnesota combined tourism and talent attraction
08:10 Where tourism and talent goals don't align as neatly
12:22 The challenge of tracking visitor-to-resident conversion
15:18 Targeting specific high-demand career fields
18:57 The "Come Visit Your Neighbors" campaign
22:49 What her craft beer background brought to the role
25:31 How to stand out when other places share similar amenities
28:33 Film as a tourism and economic driver
30:23 Fun closing question
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At Livability, we highlight the nation's most vibrant small and mid-sized cities as a trusted voice for communities across America. We help places attract talent and reach target companies through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
When the retail marketplace Painted Tree abruptly declared bankruptcy, 311 small businesses in Franklin, Tennessee were shut down and told to clear out their inventory, with no notice.
In the blink of an eye, they lost their point-of-sale system, their storefront, and their customer lists.
In this episode, Jena Potter shares how her team at Williamson, INC. stepped in and pulled together a two-day marketplace in just two weeks to help these displaced business owners liquidate inventory and reconnect with their customers.
But the real story is what came next: the crisis response became one of the chamber's biggest wins of the year.
We get into how a generous, nimble response turned into lasting results with new members, expanded community reach, earned media, and a first-of-its-kind partnership with a local content creator. Plus, what other chambers can take away when their own business community faces a crisis.
Resources Mentioned:
- About Williamson, INC. and Jena Potter
- Jessie Tigges's Instagram
- The Collective Boutiques's Website
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00:00 Introduction
01:42 What happened: the Painted Tree bankruptcy
04:55 Deciding to step in: free memberships and a marketplace
07:33 Inside the store: meeting displaced business owners
11:12 How to move quickly as a Chamber
12:54 Earned media and reaching new audiences
14:58 The marketplace run-of-show
19:33 Partnering with a local content creator
22:12 The results: sales, new members, and survey insights
25:27 What's next for the businesses
27:07 Advice for other Chambers
28:14 Fun closing question
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At Livability, we highlight the nation's most vibrant small and mid-sized cities as a trusted voice for communities across America. We help places attract talent and reach target companies through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
What does it take to transform a former Superfund site into a thriving community asset? In Charleston, the answer involved decades of remediation, an innovative flood resilience solution, and a developer willing to play the long game.
In this episode, Clark Davis shares how his team took a former EPA Superfund site from contaminated to livable, engineered a solution to remove the property from the flood zone, and broke ground on a $2.5 billion mixed-use district that includes affordable housing, parks, and a mile and a half of public waterfront walkway.
We also get into the community engagement strategy behind the project, including the restoration of a neighboring African American cemetery, and what Clark looks for in a community when evaluating where to take on a project like this.
Resources Mentioned:
- Livability's Top 100 Best Places to Live
- Highland Resources Website
- Magnolia Landing Website
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00:00 Overview of Magnolia Landing: A relief valve for Charleston's historic district
06:10 Why they're not building to maximum density
08:10 The remediation process and what it took
11:04 The trip wall and flood zone reclassification
14:58 Housing mix and affordability
17:02 Restoring a neighboring African American cemetery
21:49 Community engagement and managing concerns
24:53 How Magnolia Landing supports Charleston's livability legacy
27:01 Advice for EDOs looking to attract this type of development
28:11 Fun closing question
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At Livability, we highlight the nation's most vibrant small and mid-sized cities as a trusted voice for communities across America. We help places attract talent and reach target companies through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
When you have less than 4% of land left, you stop thinking about what to build and start thinking about what to fix. That's exactly what Sugar Land, Texas did with their brand new Office Readiness Program.
In this episode, Jennifer Alexander, Business Development Manager for the City of Sugar Land, shares the details on a first-of-its-kind initiative in the region that offers up to 50% reimbursement on eligible improvements for both tenants and property owners, tied to real performance benchmarks.
We also discuss how hybrid work is reshaping what tenants actually want, why Sugar Land retired its headquarters retention program in favor of this approach, and what other communities should consider if they want to design something similar.
Resources Mentioned:
- Sugar Land's Office Readiness Program
- Livability's Top 100 Best Places to Live (#3 - Sugar Land)
At Livability, we highlight the nation's most vibrant small and mid-sized cities as a trusted voice for communities across America. We help places attract talent and reach target companies through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
When jobs, population, and opportunity surge, so do affordability pressures, housing shortages, and the risk of losing the very character that made your community attractive in the first place.
In this episode, Stephanie Coleman, President & CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, shares how one of the country's fastest-growing regions is approaching that balance with 35 years of intentional regional planning, deep cross-sector collaboration, and a renewed focus on making sure growth works for everyone, not just newcomers.
She also reflects on how the Chamber's role has evolved from convener to active problem-solver, and what that shift means for other communities navigating their next chapter.
00:00 Introduction
01:43 Managing unprecedented growth without losing community character
04:36 Partnership 2030: How Nashville's regional plan has evolved
08:39 Workforce and talent: biggest challenges and how Nashville compares
12:53 Maintaining collaboration as new players enter the market
14:59 Balancing the needs of urban, suburban, and rural communities
18:38 How Chambers have evolved over the past few decades
22:35 Stephanie Coleman's advice for others
24:15 Fun closing question
At Livability, we highlight the nation's most vibrant small and mid-sized cities as a trusted voice for communities across America. We help places attract talent and reach target companies through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Place marketing isn't just marketing anymore. It's recruiting, community building, and storytelling all at once.
In this episode, destination storytelling expert Kristin Luna shares what's working in place marketing right now: why print still has a role, how AI is reshaping the way communities need to think about their online presence, and how public art can be one of the most accessible and cost-effective tools for building a community's identity.
Because the best marketing for your community works for tourists and future residents at the same time.
Resources Mentioned:
- 2026 Tennessee Vacation Guide: https://www.tnvacation.com/guide
- Kristin's Blog, Camels & Chocolate: https://www.camelsandchocolate.com/
- Kristin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunaticatlarge
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00:00 Introduction
01:39 Kristin's background in journalism and place marketing
2:54 Economic Development Marketing vs. Talent Attraction Marketing
06:49 The most important parts of a place marketing strategy
09:00 Where print fits in today's marketing landscape
12:43 How AI is reshaping place marketing
16:19 Anyone can be an ambassador?
21:27 How public art contributes to place branding
26:25 Maintaining community character through growth
31:24 Fun closing question
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At Livability, we highlight the nation's most vibrant small and mid-sized cities as a trusted voice for communities across America. We help places attract talent and reach target companies through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
For many communities, the outdoor economy is still treated as a soft amenity rather than a serious economic lever, even though it generates over $650 billion in economic impact each year.
In this episode, Ross Berlin, Senior Consultant at Fourth Economy, makes the case for why that needs to change. We dig into how outdoor assets connect directly to talent attraction in the modern economic development equation, get practical about the challenges (seasonality, overcrowding, equity of access), and how communities can work through them to maximize the economic impact of what they already have.
00:00 Why outdoor recreation matters as an economic development topic
02:45 The data and impact
05:45 Defining the outdoor economy (it's bigger than you think)
08:33 Benefits of investing in outdoor recreation
11:38 Challenges economic developers face
14:31 Competition between communities
17:42 How outdoor rec fits into talent attraction campaigns
20:41 Preservation and "champagne problems"
24:58 Equity and inclusion in outdoor recreation
28:27 Final thoughts and fun closing question
Resources Mentioned:
- The Amenity Trap: https://headwaterseconomics.org/outdoor-recreation/amenity-trap/
At Livability, we highlight the nation's most vibrant small and mid-sized cities as a trusted voice for communities across America. We help places attract talent and reach target companies through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Short-term workforce training is only as strong as what happens after graduation.
In this episode, Kevin Golumbeck, Director of CareerEdge at the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, shares how the Bridges to Careers program has built an employer engagement model that looks different depending on the industry - from closed-door job fairs at the Chamber to contractors visiting classrooms directly.
He also explains what drives their consistently high completion rates and the wraparound supports that help participants get to the finish line.
If you're looking to build or replicate something similar, Kevin offers practical advice on building relationships before you need them, measuring outcomes beyond seat time, and using industry councils to keep employers engaged and informed.
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00:00 Introduction
01:51 Overview of the Bridges to Careers program
03:22 How often trainings run
06:03 How employers engage with the program
07:56 Job placement and student support
08:50 How the program is funded
10:27 Wraparound support for participants
11:23 Program growth and impact numbers
12:58 Who participates in the program
14:39 How the program is promoted and students are recruited
15:54 How Bridges to Careers fits alongside community college offerings
18:48 Kevin's background in education
21:20 Advice for communities who want to replicate this program
22:51 A success story
24:05 Fun closing question
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At Livability, we highlight the nation's most vibrant small and mid-sized cities as a trusted voice for communities across America. We help places attract talent and reach target companies through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
John Launius of One Southern Indiana discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of economic development in a region crossing two states, including new infrastructure-focused regional brand, The Fouridor. Learn how the region leverages a bi-state talent pool, attracts big win projects like a Meta data center and keeps the momentum of their wins ongoing.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Job training programs that are short, free and tailored to the needs of your employers could be key to maximizing your existing workforce. Tune in for a case study from Shannon Thiele, Ames Regional Economic Alliance, on the community's Story Country Retraining Program.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
New Mexico recently unveiled free child care for all New Mexico families. We sat down with Kendal Chavez, Deputy Secretary, New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department, to hear how they're pulling off this game-changing initiative.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
In a crowded digital landscape, it's more important than ever for chambers to establish themselves as a one-stop information shop. In this episode, learn how to move beyond event announcements and transform your chamber into a trusted source for the news, stories and insights your members are seeking.
- (5:03) Jeremy Henderson, Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce
- (10:52) Anna-Grace Galloway, Greenville Chamber of Commerce
Resources Mentioned:
- Business Trend Magazine
- "What's Happening at the Greenville Chamber This Week"
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) shares their Project Reconnect initiative helping adult students return to school through a human-centered, holistic approach. Hear how the program goes beyond tuition by covering previous debt balances and providing empathetic, personalized support for real-life barriers like transportation and childcare.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Today communities are moving beyond traditional job boards to connect relocating talent with job opportunities. Hear how innovative programs in Northwest Arkansas, Champaign-Urbana and South Dakota use human-centered support to go the extra mile when it comes to talent attraction:
(02:13) Aron Shelton, Finding Northwest Arkansas
(10:00) Carly McCrory-McKay, Champaign-Urbana Community Job Application
(17:02) Alex Neuland, Dakota Roots Job Advisors
Resources Mentioned:
- TeamKC Career Network
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
In this episode, Estes Hughes, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, joins us to discuss FuelAL, the state's innovative program designed to retain college students after graduation. Customized programs offer students professional development, social opportunities and community service, plus expose them to diverse cities and industries across the state.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Boomerangs can be a great talent attraction target – maybe you are one yourself! In this episode, we look at a couple community programs focused on bringing back boomerangs, and hear from some boomerangs themselves about their stories and what drew them back to the cities they’re now based in:
(02:04): Josh, a business owner making a social impact in Colorado Springs, CO
(08:22): Lauren, a veterinarian who wanted to be closer to family in Chattanooga, TN
(12:35): Brian, a lawyer who burned out in big cities + started fresh in Greenville, NC
Resources Mentioned:
- Boomerang Greensboro
- Love, Kansas
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Downtowns are a huge part of a city’s identity, but the fast-growing Austin suburb of Cedar Park didn’t have one. Enter the new downtown Bell District and its anchor, the Cedar Park Public Library. In this episode, hear from Mayor Jim Penniman-Morin about the vibrant, walkable heartbeat of Cedar Park, the importance of having a downtown and how to create one from the ground up.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Welcome to a new season! And welcome to a new format for some of our episodes, where you get to hear from multiple experts on a topic, tied together by host and Livability Editor in Chief Amanda Ellis. In this episode, we’re sharing how you can retain students and recent grads in your community, including:
4:45 - Partnerships & Intern Grand Forks
7:35 - Industry-Specific Funding Support
8:15 - Registered Apprenticeships
10:30 - Wraparound Support for Interns & Campus Tulsa
12:20 - Helping Interns Connect to the Community & The Flinterns
Resources Mentioned:
What You Need to Know About Registered Apprenticeship
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Hilary Doe, Chief Growth Officer for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, shares how Michigan is strategically addressing population and workforce challenges through a multifaceted approach. From leaning into who you are as a community to drawing on marketing tactics from other industries, get insights on what works to make your place home to more talent.
Resources mentioned:
- You Can in Michigan
- Make MI Home
- Michigander Scholarship
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Fort Worth Film Commissioner Taylor Hardy shares about Fort Worth’s strategic embrace of film and television. Through workforce development, financial incentives, and industry partnerships, the community has generated over $700 million in economic impact since 2015 and supported more than 30,000 jobs.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
In this episode, we talk with Jennifer Wakefield, Greater Richmond Partnership, about the power of perception research in economic development. Discover how Richmond, Virginia, uses annual surveys of site selectors and corporate decision makers to put their best foot forward in site selection.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Delve into what’s behind recent economic development wins in Arkansas with Hugh McDonald, Secretary of Commerce with the State of Arkansas. We chat with Hugh about the state's competitive advantages and how it’s attracting investment, supporting its communities and positioning itself for continued growth.
Resources Mentioned:
Be Pro Be Proud
Launch Arkansas
Work Here. Live Here.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Discover how South Dakota is attracting new residents and tackling workforce needs with its innovative Dakota Roots program. We talk with Program Manager Alex Neuland about how Dakota Roots job advisors provide personalized support for relocators, from exploring job opportunities to navigating the move itself.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
In this conversation with Matt Tackett, President of the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC), we delve into the South as a premier investment location. Tune in to learn about SEDC's global reach, commitment to innovation and how it fosters collaboration among 17 member states.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Green jobs are booming in the U.S., and in North Port St. Joe, leaders are leveraging workforce training in green jobs to revitalize the local economy. This free 6-week brownfield training program helps residents gain green-collar skills to meet growing demand in the environmental sector.
Resources Mentioned:
Becoming a Clean Slate Community
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
In this episode, we meet Philadelphia’s night mayor and delve into the importance of a city’s nighttime economy – it’s not just about the fun, but the economic impact.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Traverse City’s Northern Explorers spend a weekend experiencing what it’d be like to live in this beautiful community. In this episode, Abby Baudry of Traverse Connect and Michigan’s Creative Coast, joins us to share more about this program with a 50% success rate of relocation.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
From big wins to boomerangs – and recruiting them back to town, what’s behind all the success in Greensboro? In this episode, Marvin Price, Executive Vice President of Economic Development for the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, joins us to talk about these wins and much more.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
AI has been a hot button topic in 2024, to say the least. In our interview with Chmura’s Mike Chmura, we look at the data on AI jobs to offer a better understanding of the AI job market especially for economic developers looking to stay ahead of the curve.
Resources mentioned:
The State of AI Jobs
JobsEQ
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Learn about the Taylor Swift Effect on Kansas City due to the pop star's romance with Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce. Danielle Hilton of TeamKC joins us in this episode to chat about maximizing happenings that put your city in the limelight, through the lens of KC’s pop culture moments.
Resources mentioned:
Our City Was a Character on The Office
KC Options Magazine
Kansas City Small Businesses Thank Taylor Swift for Economic Boom
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Each season, we hear from a community who recently won a significant project. On this Pick Me! episode, Joey Deason, Executive Director of the Madison County Economic Development Authority in Mississippi, joins us to talk about landing a $10 billion investment from Amazon Web Services.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
Wondering how to promote your small to mid-sized city? Tune in to hear how Livability can help, plus the perks of living in a smaller city, highlights of our research on American relocation and what we want when it comes to where we live.
Resources mentioned:
Livability’s Relocation Research
Livability’s Talent Attraction Newsletter
Have Livability Speak at Your Next Event
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
In this episode, Nicole Bentley of Safal Partners covers all the ins and outs of Registered Apprenticeship and how apprenticeship can help build the workforce you need. Questions? Reach out to her at nicole.bentley@safalpartners.com.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
In this episode, learn about Arvada, CO’s approach to supporting local manufacturers. Iza Petrykowska, Executive Director at the Arvada Economic Development Association shares how this program helps retain jobs, increase sales and foster a thriving manufacturing sector.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Hear firsthand how the award-winning Shared Equipment Program is revolutionizing access to expensive, specialized machinery for Ponca City's manufacturers.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Internships are key to your talent pipeline and boost talent retention in your community. What can you do to make more of them available to students in your area? Workforce development expert Becca Cruger shares tips and a case study: the Intern Grand Forks program.
Resources Mentioned:
Grand Forks Workforce Pipeline Map
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Prepping for your next fundraising or support campaign? You’re in the right place with this interview from Tom DiFiore of National Community Development Services helping you put your best foot forward for securing those dollars.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
We’re talking data centers to kick off Season 5! Bryan Rothamel, Culpeper County (VA) Economic Development, shares about the Culpeper Technology Zone, a 690-acre campus designated to host data centers and advance the STEM industries at the forefront of Culpeper’s economy.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Stacy Garmon, President & CEO of the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, chats with us about their Tours for Teachers program connecting educators with local businesses and insights into current workforce needs.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
In this episode, Joe Scantlebury, President & CEO of Living Cities, discusses the critical role of homeownership in wealth building and how Living Cities promotes equitable access to capital through not only home ownership, but business ownership, and more to build an economy where everyone can thrive.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
We’re taking you back into our archives with this episode featuring Mike Christenson of Applied Geographic Solutions, Livability’s data partner on our recently released Top 100 Best Places to Live in 2024.
Mike shares about how the right data can have a big impact on your efforts to draw talent and businesses.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
Jason Archer, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, shares about how you can work with peers in your community to level up your business retention and expansion efforts.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
Marcus Randolph, President & CEO of Invest Newark, explains how this EDO uses the Newark Land Bank to revitalize properties, making homeownership accessible and affordable for more residents. We also chat about other considerations for community leaders who want to boost the rate of home ownership, and why it’s important work.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
Sandy Dubay, President & CEO of PPR Strategies, delves into streamlining your economic development marketing strategy with tips from her 20+ years of experience in this niche. We chat about DIY approaches vs. engaging outside support, how to lighten your marketing load by collaborating with others in your community and much more.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
Each season, we hear from a community who recently won a significant project. On this Pick Me! Episode, Jeff Rea, President & CEO of Indiana’s South Bend Regional Chamber, joins us to talk about landing GM & Samsung SDI’s $3.5 billion investment in an EV battery cell plant in St. Joseph County.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
In this episode, Chelsey Roney, co-founder of Proxi, joins us for a chat about using customizable maps to elevate your place marketing
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
In the second installment of our two-part child care series, Garrett Dolan, Associate Director of Human Resources at Tyson Foods, talks about Tyson’s onsite child care facility at the company’s Humboldt, TN plant, including plenty of takeaways for businesses and economic developers.
Resources Mentioned:
Clarksville-Montgomery County IDB’s Industrial Park Model
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
Maureen McGuinness, President & CEO of the Triangle East Chamber, chats with us about the NC Early Education Coalition and how they’re meeting child care challenges in North Carolina.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
In this episode, Brian McGowan, President of Centennial Yards, shares the ins and outs of one of the largest ever mixed use development projects and how it will reshape downtown Atlanta.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
In the final episode of this season, we hear from Tyler Rossmaessler, Executive Director of the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance, about the Talent Tours Program bringing job seekers directly to employers in Flint, MI
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
Alex Beck, Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation, joins us to share about Brattleboro's Welcoming Workplaces Initiative supporting local employers in welcoming all kinds of employees, particularly immigrants and refugees new to the U.S. Tune in to hear about increasing diversity in a small community and making an impact for both new Americans and locals.
Resources Mentioned:
What the Best Places to Live Will Look Like in the Future
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
In this episode, we hear from Stephane Frijia, President & CEO of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, about creating more housing to meet the needs of locals at all income levels and life stages.
Resources Mentioned:
Addressing Workforce Housing Needs in Northeast Indiana
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
Plural founder & CEO Damola Ogundipe joins us to chat about the unique power of chambers to influence and shape legislative priorities.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
The Ames Chamber wants to showcase what makes Ames an A+ community. Learn how they're meeting their goals by partnering with Livability to tell talent everywhere about one of America's best mid-sized cities. We also cover other successful talent and workforce efforts happening in Ames.
Resources Mentioned:
Ames Magazine
What Best Places to Live Will Look Like in the Future, with Chris Fair
Upskilling in Ames, with Nikki Fischer
The Story of Jack Trice
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
Each season, we hear from a community who recently won a significant project, and how they did it. On this Pick Me! Episode, Kenny McDonald, President & CEO, Columbus Partnership, joins us to talk about landing the biggest investment in Ohio state history: Intel’s $20 billion project in Licking County.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
DCI’s Patience Fairbrother joins us with insights for your talent strategies and the high points of DCI’s annual Talent Wars job and location research, including implications for small and mid-sized cities and local upskilling programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes.
Resources Mentioned:
- Relocation Research from Livability
- Talent Recruitment vs Upskilling: What’s the best strategy?
- Wonderfl.com
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
Brooke Randels of Campus Tulsa joins us on this episode with insight on retaining college students in your community. She also shares about the knowledge you can glean from the upcoming Young, Smart & Local talent conference in New Orleans and chats about the future of higher education, plus what Gen Z is getting right.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. You can also subscribe to our talent attraction newsletter.
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
In this episode, Chris Fair, futurist as well as founder and CEO of Resonance Consulting, discusses what will make the cities of the future good places to live and what to be thinking about now to be a talent magnet in the coming decades.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes.
Resources Mentioned:
Why a Prosperous City is Both Livable and Lovable
Resonance’s 2023 America’s Best Cities
Livability’s 2023 Top 100 Best Places to Live
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Kaleigh Cox, of DxTEL and Fiber Homes, joins us for our first episode of Season 3 on how fiber internet can help you meet your talent and business attraction goals. She also talks about resources for bringing fiber to your area and tapping your local real estate agents to support your strategy.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes.
Resources Mentioned:
Livability & Fiber Homes’ Connected Communities Certification
Connected Community Mount Horeb and their internet trolls
Podcast about tapping real estate agents as community ambassadors
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions in Chattanooga, TN.
In this special bonus episode, Mike Christenson of Applied Geographic Solutions shares how the right data can have a big impact on your efforts to draw talent and businesses, and how the barriers to getting good data are not as high as you might think.
This is the last episode of our second season, but we’ll be back soon with Season 3. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release our next episode.
Resources Mentioned:
Blog Post mentioned at 7:30 about 2020 Census data
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content & print magazine programs.
Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email aellis@livability.com.
Each season, we’ll hear from a community who recently won a significant project, and how they did it. On this Pick Me! Episode, Chassen Haynes, Senior Director of Business Development for the State of Tennessee, joins us to talk about landing the biggest investment in Tennessee history: Ford’s $5.6 billion BlueOval project creating BlueOval City.
In this episode, we sit down with Adam Knapp, President & CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber to talk about Baton Rouge’s comprehensive talent strategies, and how this community is upskilling high schoolers, college students and adults. Not only are they matching the right people to the right jobs, they’re also closing opportunity gaps and promoting their area along the way.
In this episode, Nathan Ohle, President & CEO, International Economic Development Council, looks back on his first year leading our industry’s premier professional association. He also talks about the future of IEDC and the profession, especially recruiting students to our industry, IEDC’s Economic Recovery Corps and much more.
Places with a large nearby military presence know that can really shape the fabric of your community. But are you maximizing that impact when it comes to your talent strategies? And how do you keep transitioning military folks in your region? In this episode, April Bragg of the Robins Regional Chamber in Warner Robins, Georgia, talks about engaging with nearby Robins Air Force Base and how these relationships make Warner Robins a special place.
Have you been charged with marketing your community? Get place marketing insights from Development Counsellors International. In this episode, you’ll learn about where to start and who to partner with in your community, plus more to help you go from launching a place marketing strategy to an established place brand that appeals to talent, business and visitors alike.
Looking to boost your community’s pool of workers in fields like health care, tech or manufacturing? You’re in the right place – our two-part series on upskilling. In our second installment, the Ames Chamber joins us with expert insight on how to design workforce programs, with case studies on their See Yourself in Ames intern retention initiative and the Story County Retraining Program upskilling locals.
Looking to boost your community’s pool of workers in fields like health care, tech or manufacturing? You’re in the right place – our two-part series on upskilling. In our first installment, Merit America joins us with expert insight on boosting your pool of tech workers, closing opportunity gaps in your area and tips for building an effective workforce infrastructure.
Economic developers are always taking on a host of new challenges, but what, if anything, has changed when it comes to winning projects that bring new businesses to your community? How do you put your best foot forward? In this episode, Lauren Berry, of location analysis and incentives advisory firm Maxis Advisors, joins us to answer these questions and more.
With change happening rapidly and staff burnout at a record high, how do you ensure your chamber or EDO is ready for the future? Sheree Anne Kelly, President & CEO, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, joins us with guidance on how you can hit all the right notes when it comes to having the right team in place and equipping your people to meet your mission of making an impact.
Are you struggling to meet housing demands for your community? Too much office or retail space? In this episode, Camoin Associates shares ideas for solving today’s common real estate challenges. We also cover how you can get buy-in from the right folks to create change, and how real estate issues might evolve in the coming years.
Each season, we’ll hear from a community who recently won a significant project, and how they did it. On this Pick Me! Episode, West Virginia’s Secretary of Economic Development Mitch Carmichael joins us to talk about landing the biggest investment in state history: Nucor Corporation’s $2.7 billion project.
How do you embrace newcomers to your community? Helping new folks feel settled, engaged and included can be key to talent retention. In this episode, corporate relocation expert Cindy Nixon of eXp Realty shares her tips for integrating your newbies and getting them cozied up in their new location.
1 in 3 Americans has a criminal record that is probably limiting their participation in your workforce and community. Any arrest, even if it didn’t lead to conviction, constitutes a record and lifelong barrier to opportunity, even for those who long ago served their time. Clean Slate Initiative is working to change that with bipartisan policy that automatically clears records for people who stay crime free. In this episode, learn how you can help grant second chances and unearth new talent right under your nose.
Every year we at Livability produce an objective, research-based Top 100 Best Places to Live list, sponsored this year by eXp Realty. Madison, Wisconsin takes the honor of the No. 1 spot for the second year in a row. In this episode, two Madison leaders: Jason Fields, President of the Madison Region Economic Partnership, and Zach Brandon, President of the Greater Madison Chamber, share about working together to keep Madison a No. 1 place to live, alongside actionable tips on how other communities can improve livability.
Jamie Wright, Executive Director of the Alliance for Rural Impact, helps navigate the workforce challenges faced by small rural communities. You want companies to be successful in your area, but that requires a labor pool you may not quite have. In this episode, learn how automation can expand the capabilities of your current workforce and support the success of your existing industry.
The pandemic brought to the forefront the struggles working parents face to balance work and family responsibilities. Without high-quality childcare, it’s hard to have a high-quality workforce. What can you do to ensure parents in your community have the support they need to succeed alongside your businesses? We’ll hear from Naturally Lewis, Lewis County, NY’s economic development entity, on their hands-on work to address this ongoing issue.
On this Talent To Go episode, we sit down with Charles Wood from the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce in Chattanooga, TN to discuss how engaged residents, public-private partnerships and embracing new ideas have given this gorgeous river and mountain community an edge when it comes to attracting – and retaining – talent.
Michael, Dwight and the whole gang at Dunder Mifflin Paper Company made us laugh from 2005 to 2013. When the show was first gaining a foothold, the Scranton community saw things a little differently, according to Mari Potis, the director of membership and events for The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. Then tourism not only grew, but exploded, and today the show continues to have a considerable impact on the city’s economy. In this episode, learn how entertainment media can give your community a positive boost.
Economic development and talent attraction leaders are tasked with telling the story of their communities compellingly. But how do you know what sets your area apart and how do you drive that home in your messaging? In this episode, Lightcast will provide data-based tips for identifying your community’s unique comparative advantages, and you’ll learn how to use labor market data to be more effective with your marketing.
It’s tough to be on your own in a new city, but some communities are making it more comfortable with a city concierge – city champions who help you get connected, make sure you have a good experience in your new city and even help you decide whether to take the plunge in the first place. In this episode, we hear about Louisville’s Live in Lou City Champs and the difference they’re making for new and potential residents.
Join host Amanda Ellis, Editor in Chief of Livability.com, for an inside look at the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. All season, we'll delve into talent attraction and economic development topics, explore some of America's hidden gems and highlight the people behind the scenes who make an impact on communities and their livability.