DT #683 Building Stronger Communities Through Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Release Date: 09/16/2026
DT #689 Turning a Bold Vision Into a Game Changing Community Development Project: The Fort Madison Marina Story
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What happens when a community stops settling for “good enough” and starts thinking bigger? In this episode of Develop This!, talks with former Fort Madison Mayor and n of about the transformation of the Fort Madison Marina. What started as an aging marina became a much larger vision for the community, incorporating hospitality, events, wellness, tourism, and placemaking. Matt explains how community leaders studied other projects, built a shared vision, and challenged Fort Madison to think beyond simply fixing the existing marina. Rick discusses how the team turned that vision into a...
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DT #690 How Relationships Drive Economic Development: Lessons From Kirk Elmquist
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What can a career spanning sports, hospitality, tourism, and business development teach us about economic development? In this episode of Develop This!, sits down with to explore his unconventional career journey and the leadership lessons he's learned along the way. Kirk shares why relationships are often more valuable than technical skills and how listening, trust, mentorship, and community involvement have shaped his approach to business and economic development. The conversation also explores the transformation of Branson and the Ozarks into a major tourism and golf destination,...
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DT #687 How Los Angeles Stays a Global Economic Powerhouse
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What does it take to lead one of the world's most dynamic regional economies? In this episode of Develop This!, sits down with , CEO of the , to discuss his unconventional journey from social work to leading one of the nation's largest economic development organizations. Stephen shares how his diverse career shaped his leadership style and explains why listening, collaboration, and long-term thinking are essential to building resilient communities. He also discusses how Los Angeles has leveraged its diversity, innovation, and global connections to remain one of the world's leading economic...
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DT #688 How Australia Is Elevating the Economic Development Profession
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
How do you build a stronger profession while helping communities thrive? In this episode of Develop This!, sits down with , CEO of (EDA), to discuss the evolution of economic development in Australia and why collaboration, professional standards, and continuous learning are shaping the future of the industry. Jacqueline shares her career journey into economic development and reflects on the lessons she's learned leading Australia's national professional association. She explains how Economic Development Australia has expanded education, certification, and networking opportunities while...
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DT #685 How Communities Can Turn Their Assets into Competitive Advantages
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
How can communities identify their greatest strengths and turn them into a competitive advantage? In this episode of Develop This!, sits down with , President of , to discuss how communities can build a smarter asset strategy that attracts investment and supports long-term economic growth. Jeanette explains that successful economic development goes beyond available land and infrastructure. Communities must recognize both their tangible and intangible assets—from workforce and leadership to partnerships and organizational alignment—and understand how those strengths position them for...
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DT #686 How Data, Technology, and AI Are Transforming Entrepreneurship
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
How can communities build entrepreneurial ecosystems that create lasting economic opportunity? In this episode of Develop This!, sits down with , Founder and CEO of , to discuss his journey from immigrant entrepreneur to economic development leader and his mission to help communities build thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems. David shares how his experiences shaped his passion for creating pathways to prosperity and explains why supporting entrepreneurs is one of the most effective ways to drive long-term economic growth. He emphasizes that successful ecosystems go beyond programs—they...
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DT #683 Building Stronger Communities Through Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
How can entrepreneurship become the driving force behind stronger, more resilient communities? In this episode of Develop This!, talks with , Economic Development Specialist for the City of Arlington, about his unconventional journey from aspiring pediatric neurosurgeon to economic development leader and why entrepreneurship should be at the center of every community's growth strategy. Josh explains how entrepreneurship and economic development go hand in hand, arguing that thriving local businesses create the foundation for long-term economic success. He shares lessons from Brownsville's...
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DT #684 Why Leadership Is the Ultimate Economic Development Strategy
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What separates communities that thrive from those that struggle to attract lasting investment? In this episode of Develop This!, sits down with , President & CEO of , to discuss why leadership—not incentives—is the most important driver of economic development success. Gray shares lessons from decades of experience helping communities navigate complex projects, explaining how trust, transparency, and a shared vision create the foundation for sustainable growth. He discusses why leadership becomes even more critical during times of uncertainty and how crises often reveal the true...
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DT #681 How Introverts Can Master Networking and Public Speaking
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Do you have to be an extrovert to be a great networker or public speaker? In this episode of Develop This!, sits down with to explore how introverts—and anyone who feels uncomfortable in networking situations—can build authentic connections, gain confidence, and thrive in professional settings. Mark explains why successful networking isn't about collecting business cards or dominating conversations. Instead, it's about showing genuine curiosity, asking thoughtful questions, and focusing on the other person. He shares practical strategies for "working the room," creating meaningful...
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DT #682 Inside Site Selection: What Communities Must Do to Win Projects
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What really happens before a company announces a major investment—and how do communities make the shortlist? In this episode of Develop This!, sits down with , Vice Chairman at , to explore the behind-the-scenes world of site selection and what it takes for communities to compete for major economic development projects. Seth explains the extensive analysis that happens long before a project becomes public, from evaluating infrastructure and workforce availability to assessing risk, political stability, and long-term business viability. He also shares how AI and advanced data tools are...
info_outlineHow can entrepreneurship become the driving force behind stronger, more resilient communities?
In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise talks with Josh Mejia, Economic Development Specialist for the City of Arlington, about his unconventional journey from aspiring pediatric neurosurgeon to economic development leader and why entrepreneurship should be at the center of every community's growth strategy.
Josh explains how entrepreneurship and economic development go hand in hand, arguing that thriving local businesses create the foundation for long-term economic success. He shares lessons from Brownsville's eBridge Center and how strategic partnerships can build stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems.
The conversation also explores the growing role of data and technology in site selection, incentive strategies, and community planning. Josh discusses how economic developers can use data-driven insights to make smarter decisions while preparing communities for future opportunities.
Another major theme is resilience. From water infrastructure to rapid population growth, Josh explains why communities must invest in long-term planning while preserving quality of place and remaining adaptable to changing economic conditions.
Throughout the episode, Josh emphasizes the importance of collaboration, financial literacy, continuous learning, and developing the soft skills that today's economic development professionals need to succeed.
A key takeaway? Sustainable economic growth starts with empowering entrepreneurs, building strong partnerships, and creating communities that are prepared for the future.
Key Takeaways
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Entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of long-term economic development
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Data and technology improve decision-making and site selection strategies
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Strong partnerships create thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems
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Resilient infrastructure supports sustainable community growth
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Balancing growth with quality of place is essential for long-term success
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Soft skills and financial literacy are valuable tools for economic developers
Key Topics Covered
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Josh Mejia's career journey into economic development
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Entrepreneurship and community growth
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The success of the eBridge Center
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Data-driven site selection and incentives
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Infrastructure resilience and quality of place
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Leadership, collaboration, and professional development
Sound Bites
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“Economic developers facilitate job creation, they don't create jobs.”
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“Learning a new language is a valuable skill for economic developers.”
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“I hope my legacy is fostering collaboration and breaking silos.”