Inside America's Best Cities, An Economic Development Podcast

From Crisis to Opportunity: A Chamber's Rapid Response 23.06.2026 30min

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 ____ 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 ____ 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.

Playing the Long Game: Turning a Superfund Site into a Community Asset 19.05.2026 30min

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 ____ 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 ____ 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.

Revitalizing Existing Office Space: A New Incentive Approach 28.04.2026 24min

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.

Balancing Expansion and Community Character: Nashville's Growth Blueprint 07.04.2026 26min

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 Strategies That Work: Print, AI, and Public Art 24.03.2026 34min

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 ____ 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 ____ 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.

Outdoor Recreation as an Economic Driver 10.03.2026 32min

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.

12 Weeks to a New Career: Build a Workforce Training Program That Sticks 24.02.2026 26min

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. ___ 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 ___ 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.

Branding the Economic Advantages of Southern Indiana 16.12.2025 31min

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.

Maximize Your Workforce with Short Term Training 02.12.2025 23min

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.

Free Child Care for All in New Mexico 18.11.2025 24min

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.

Your Chamber as a Media Hub 04.11.2025 23min

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.

How This EDO Helps Adult Students Lock Back In 21.10.2025 25min

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.

Going the Extra Mile for Out-of-Market Talent 07.10.2025 20min

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.

Fueling Alabama's Future 23.09.2025 30min

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.

What Boomerangs Want 09.09.2025 21min

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.

How to Create a Downtown 26.08.2025 25min

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.

Turning Interns & YPs Into Longtime Residents 12.08.2025 19min

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.

Making Michigan Home for More Talent 10.06.2025 33min

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.

The Economic Power of Film in Fort Worth 27.05.2025 21min

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.

Perception: Your Site Selection Advantage 13.05.2025 21min

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.