DT #640 Winning Together: How Regional Collaboration Is Powering Chicagoland’s Economic Growth
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Release Date: 04/22/2026
DT #658 Building Stronger Communities Through Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What if the next wave of economic growth starts with local entrepreneurs? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with of to explore how entrepreneurship-led economic development can help communities build stronger, more resilient economies. Rob shares how communities—especially rural ones—can leverage their unique assets to support entrepreneurs, strengthen local ecosystems, and create long-term growth from within. The conversation highlights SourceLink’s ecosystem approach, focusing on how connecting entrepreneurs to the right resources, partners, and support networks can reduce...
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DT #659 How Public-Private Partnerships Are Reshaping Economic Development
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What role do public-private partnerships play in the future of economic development? In this panel episode of Develop This!, explores the evolving PPP landscape with , , and , bringing together perspectives from the U.S. and Europe. The conversation dives into how economic development organizations are rethinking funding models, private sector engagement, and long-term sustainability in a changing global environment. A major focus is funding diversification. The panel discusses why stable, flexible funding matters—and how structured campaigns can help formalize private sector participation...
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DT #656 Growth vs Identity: The Real Cost of Austin’s Tech Boom
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What happens when rapid tech growth collides with a city’s cultural identity? In this episode of Develop This!, is joined by and of to explore the evolution of Austin’s tech boom—and the social and economic trade-offs that come with it. Once known for its distinct culture and creative energy, Austin has become one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the U.S. But as investment and innovation accelerate, the conversation turns to a harder question: what gets lost in the process? The discussion unpacks the growing tensions between economic expansion and community impact, including...
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DT #657 Beyond Small: Winning Strategies for Rural Economic Development
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What does it take for rural communities to compete and grow in today’s economy? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with , EVP of the , to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping rural economic development. Jolene shares her journey from nonprofit leadership into economic development and explains how collaboration, creativity, and community trust play critical roles in driving regional growth. The conversation highlights how Great Falls is leveraging local strengths to support entrepreneurship, attract investment, and create long-term economic momentum. Workforce and housing...
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DT #654 Rebuilding Better: How New Orleans Turned Disaster Into Long-Term Economic Growth
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What does it take to rebuild an economy after a disaster—and turn it into a model for long-term growth? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with , CEO of , to explore lessons learned from leading economic recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina and 9/11. Michael shares how New Orleans approached rebuilding not just infrastructure, but its entire economic foundation—balancing urgency with long-term strategy, and recovery with reinvention. A major theme is the importance of community involvement in shaping recovery efforts. He emphasizes that post-disaster planning cannot be top-down,...
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DT #655 Building Thriving Communities: Leadership, Trust, and the Power of Regional
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What does it take to build thriving communities across an entire region? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with to explore her unique journey from law enforcement to economic development—and the leadership lessons she’s learned along the way. Drawing from decades of experience in regional collaboration and workforce strategy, Barb shares how trust, authenticity, and long-term relationship building have helped shape successful community development efforts across Wisconsin. A major focus of the conversation is workforce development, particularly the growing importance of digital...
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DT #652 Small Country, Big Strategy: Costa Rica’s Rise in High-Value Global Investment
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What does it take for a small country to compete for high-value global investment in today’s economy? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with of the to explore how Costa Rica is evolving into a strategic hub for advanced industries and foreign direct investment. From its geographic position connecting North and South America to its growing reputation in high-tech sectors, Costa Rica is positioning itself as more than a nearshoring destination—it’s becoming a knowledge-driven economy focused on long-term value creation. Pilar explains how the country has successfully diversified...
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DT #653 Leading with Vision: Why Communities Need Big, Audacious Goals
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What role do big, bold visions play in shaping stronger communities and more effective leaders? In this episode of Develop This!, is joined by to explore how optimism, storytelling, and ambitious goals can inspire innovation, community engagement, and long-term growth. Drawing inspiration from the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, the conversation examines how major rallying points can unite people around a shared purpose and create momentum for transformational change. Mark and Dennis discuss the importance of balancing realism with aspiration in leadership, emphasizing that communities need both...
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DT #669 Smaller Business Week: Why Microbusinesses Matter
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
In celebration of Small Business Week, this episode of Develop This! takes a closer look at the businesses that are often small in size but powerful in impact: microbusinesses. Friend of the show, brings , co-founder of to speak with Joi Cuartero Austin for a conversation about why communities should pay closer attention to solopreneurs, makers, freelancers, consultants, pop-up vendors, home-based businesses, side hustlers, and gig workers. Together, they explore how these “smaller” businesses contribute to local economies, build community identity, create flexible income...
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DT #650 Building Inclusive Economies: How Private Sector Lessons Drive Community Transformation
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What does it take to build economies that are truly inclusive—and built for long-term impact? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with to explore his diverse career spanning the private sector, entrepreneurship, and community development—and how those experiences shape his approach to economic transformation today. Philip shares how lessons from the private sector can directly inform economic development strategy, especially when it comes to innovation, ecosystem building, and driving measurable community impact. The conversation also highlights the importance of addressing systemic...
info_outlineWhat happens when competing communities decide to collaborate instead?
In this episode, Dennis Fraise sits down with Kevin Considine, Board Chair of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership and CEO of Lake County Partners, and shares how a coalition of counties around Chicago is redefining economic development through regional alignment.
Kevin unpacks the origins and evolution of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP), offering a behind-the-scenes look at how trust was built across jurisdictions, how funding models are shifting, and why collaboration is delivering better outcomes for business attraction and growth.
From leveraging global assets like O’Hare International Airport to positioning Chicagoland as a powerhouse in logistics and B2B industries, this episode is a must-listen for professionals looking to move from competition to coordination.
Key Takeaways
- Regional collaboration creates a stronger, more compelling value proposition for site selectors and investors
- The Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership is a model for aligning multiple jurisdictions under one strategy
- Trust—not structure—is the foundation of successful regional initiatives
- Global assets like O’Hare International Airport serve as economic anchors for the entire region
- Transitioning from public to private funding can strengthen long-term sustainability
- Maintaining local identity while promoting a unified regional brand is critical
Key Topics Covered
- The formation and early success of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership
- Why collaboration is outperforming traditional inter-community competition
- Leveraging regional assets, including logistics infrastructure and innovation ecosystems
- Funding evolution: from public sector support to private investment
- Building trust across counties, municipalities, and leadership teams
- International engagement and positioning Chicagoland globally
- Lessons learned from launching and scaling a regional initiative
Memorable Sound Bites
- “It just makes sense from a customer perspective.”
- “Chicago is the B2B capital of logistics in the US.”
- “O’Hare is a huge economic engine for the region.”