Turning Interns & YPs Into Longtime Residents
Livability: Inside America's Best Cities
Release Date: 08/12/2025
What Boomerangs Want
Livability: Inside America's Best Cities
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: At ...
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How to Create a Downtown
Livability: Inside America's Best Cities
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 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 and print magazine...
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Turning Interns & YPs Into Longtime Residents
Livability: Inside America's Best Cities
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...
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Making Michigan Home for More Talent
Livability: Inside America's Best Cities
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: At 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 and print...
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The Economic Power of Film in Fort Worth
Livability: Inside America's Best Cities
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 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 and print magazine programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release...
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Perception: Your Site Selection Advantage
Livability: Inside America's Best Cities
In this episode, we talk with Jennifer Wakefield, , 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 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 and print magazine programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at and follow us...
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The Arkansas Advantage
Livability: Inside America's Best Cities
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: At 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 and print magazine programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted...
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Putting Down Dakota Roots
Livability: Inside America's Best Cities
Discover how South Dakota is attracting new residents and tackling workforce needs with its innovative . 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 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 and print magazine programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn...
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Building the World’s Third-Largest Economy: the American South
Livability: Inside America's Best Cities
In this conversation with Matt Tackett, President of the , 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 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 and print magazine programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at and follow us on , , and . Have...
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Green Job Training on the Gulf Coast
Livability: Inside America's Best Cities
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: At 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 and print magazine programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release...
info_outlineWelcome 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 [email protected].
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.