S5:23 - Reimagining Economic Development with Justin Neppl
Release Date: 10/20/2025
S6:E9 - Growing Entrepreneurs in Small Towns with Andrew Button
The Growing Small Towns Show
What actually moves a small town forward? It’s not a lack of ideas, it’s a lack of execution. This episode digs into the mindset shift from planning to ownership, showing how consistent action, local investment, and focusing on the people who show up can create real momentum over time. It’s a practical, experience-based take on how we make things happen on the ground. About Andrew: After a 15-year career working in rural North America with the various businesses and economic development organizations, Andrew founded Mashup Lab (www.mashuplab.ca); a for-more-than-profit company...
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S6:E8 - Wisdom From 30 Years of Economic Development with Bob Wurl
The Growing Small Towns Show
What actually drives economic development in small towns? In this episode, Bob Wurl shares how community banking, long-term thinking, and a willingness to act—not just plan—have shaped his own small town’s success. It’s a practical look at what happens when people stop waiting for change and start building it themselves About Bob: Bob Wurl grew up in Hankinson, ND. He holds a B.S.B.A. degree with a major in Accounting from University of North Dakota and completed the Graduate School of Banking Program at the University of Wisconsin in 1995. He has 45 years of banking...
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S6:E7- Vacant Properties in Small Towns with Liz Kozub
The Growing Small Towns Show
Vacant and deteriorating properties are a challenge facing communities across the country—but small towns are not powerless to address them. In this episode, Liz from the Center for Community Progress shares practical strategies communities can use to inventory vacant buildings, navigate ownership challenges, and turn neglected properties into opportunities for revitalization. The conversation explores how data, partnerships, and creative thinking can help small towns reclaim the spaces that shape their future. About Liz: Liz Kozub is an Associate Director for Technical Assistance at the...
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S6:E6 - Foodies, Families and Unexpected Paths with Shawn and Aiden Ulmer
The Growing Small Towns Show
This episode features a local Oakes father/son duo and we’re so excited to introduce them to you! Shawn and Aiden Ulmer of the Angry Beaver Lodge share the story of a third-generation restaurant business and the unexpected path that brought Aiden back to Oaks. They discuss generational transitions, evolving bar culture, and the role local businesses play in creating community. This is a conversation about what draws people back to small towns and the active role communities can play in facilitating it. About Shawn and Aiden: Shawn grew up in Valley City, ND. He fell in love with the...
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S6:E5 - How Lack of Accessible Transportation is Impacting Aging in Place in Rural Communities with Nicole Jones
The Growing Small Towns Show
Nicole Jones is the founder of Little Red Riding Hood, Inc., and today she joins us to talk about the hidden crisis of senior transportation in rural communities. Her story shows how one human moment can spark a solution that strengthens healthcare access, local economies, and community belonging. This episode is a testimony to how one moment and one person can inspire change, and a reminder to protect those who came before us so we can be stronger, more whole communities. About Nicole: I am a 35-year-old who has made it her life's mission to help seniors in rural areas after finding a...
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S6:E4 - Bearing the Weight of Expectations with Anna McLean
The Growing Small Towns Show
Many small-town people carry more than their fair share and, in some cases, tie their self-worth to how much they do for others or to their role in their small town (we’re lovingly looking at you, farmers and ranchers and Heads of Everything). In this episode, therapist Anna and our host Rebecca explore burnout, boundaries, and why emotional awareness and resilience can coexist. It’s a grounded conversation about choosing alignment over obligation and building healthier communities from the inside out. About Anna: Welcome! I’m Anna. I am dedicated to helping individuals and...
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S6:E3 - A 25-Year-Old Buys a Quilt Shop with TJ Roney
The Growing Small Towns Show
What happens when a 25-year-old buys a quilt shop in a town of 1,800 people? (Spoiler: awesome stuff.) In this episode, our very own TJ Roney shares how entrepreneurship, creativity, social media, and community support collided to create unexpected momentum. It’s a powerful reminder that rural opportunity doesn’t always look the way we expect it to, and that young people are, in fact, interested in things that aren’t on their phones. About TJ: Hey there, my name is TJ, and I’m a 25-year-old grandma! I love anything creative, and learned to sew when I was 5 years old. Thanks to...
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S6:E2 - Downtown Redevelopment with Luke Henry
The Growing Small Towns Show
Downtowns don’t come back by accident. They come back because someone decides they should, and then acts on it. In this episode, Luke Henry shares how he helped catalyze downtown redevelopment in Marion, Ohio. It involves real financial risk, building an ecosystem of local businesses, and staying committed when the work got hard. It’s a real, honest look into the challenges and joys of community-led revitalization, because, like many things, it’s hard but worth it. About Luke: Luke Henry grew up in Mount Gilead, Ohio and transplanted to Marion with his wife Lindsey in 2006...
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S6:E1 - Microbusiness Development in Small Towns with Marci Goodwin, Katie Kelly, and Leigh Ann Brown
The Growing Small Towns Show
Welcome to the first episode of season SIX of the Growing Small Towns podcast! We’re starting off big by having our first-ever TRIO on the pod, and we’re so excited to share this episode with you. Most small towns aren’t built on startups or corporations; they’re built on small (and smaller!) businesses, and today’s episode is all about those “smaller” ones: microbusinesses. This episode explores how supporting solopreneurs, side hustles, and local makers creates stronger economies, fuller Main Streets, and communities where people can stay, build, and belong. About Marci,...
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S5:E31 - What’s to Come in 2026 Rebecca Undem
The Growing Small Towns Show
In this solo season finale, Rebecca shares an honest reflection on entrepreneurship, community work, and the courage it takes to keep trying when things feel uncertain. It’s a reminder that success doesn’t have to look one way, and that showing up, evolving, and staying in the work matters more than perfect outcomes. This is the final episode of Season 5! We’ll be back in February, refreshed and ready with Season 6! In this episode, we cover: Why most business owners and community leaders quietly want to quit — and why that’s normal The myth that success requires scaling,...
info_outlineIn this episode, Rebecca talks with longtime friend and former economic developer Justin Neppl about what it really means to reimagine economic development for small towns. For years, economic development has focused on the same things, but the future looks different. This episode is about collaboration, trust, and people-centered leadership and how they can come together to update traditional models to make futures brighter for our small towns.
About Justin:
Justin Neppl is a community-focused entrepreneur from Breckenridge, Minnesota, where he lives with his wife, Jamie, and their three children — Karsyn, Easton, and Addy. He is the co-owner of Tiny Tykes Inc., a growing childcare company that has recently begun franchising across the Upper Midwest, with the goal of helping both small and mid-sized communities expand access to quality childcare.
In addition to his work in childcare, Justin has partnered with local stakeholders to revitalize Breckenridge’s Main Street and address community housing needs — from rehabilitation projects to new construction. Through his partnership with GFY Custom Crafts, he is helping bring affordable, high-quality housing options to communities across Minnesota and North Dakota.
Justin is also developing a craft distillery in his hometown that celebrates the agricultural heritage of the Red River Valley. Outside of work, he enjoys hunting a variety of game with his family and coaching youth hockey in the local association. His passion for entrepreneurship and rural revitalization drives his mission to make small towns stronger, more vibrant places to live and raise a family.
In this episode, we cover:
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Why traditional economic development models are breaking down
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Why sharing the load and tapping into expertise is better than having one overextended leader
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Real-world examples of communities leading differently
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Why boards, councils, and communities’ collaboration can be the make or break
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Why reimagining economic development starts with people
Links + Resources Mentioned:
Tiny Tykes Franchise: https://tinytykesfranchise.com/
GFY Custom Crafts: https://www.gfycustomcrafts.com/home.html
Hankinson YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR6OvMUaaBY&t=425s
Sponsor Spotlight: Brodie Mueller and The Market on the Plaza
In small towns, coffee is more than caffeine. It’s community! Market on the Plaza roasts beans locally in Aberdeen, in small batches for the freshest, richest cup to start your day or for an afternoon pick-me-up. Stop in to grab a bag for home or linger over a cup with neighbors. Proudly local, always welcoming.
This week’s Small-Town Shout-Out is:
Hankinson, ND! We talk about them twice in this episode, one for their CDC’s efforts, and the other is for a YouTube clip (see show notes above) that showcases what it looks like to be welcoming and proud of your small town. We love it so much, Hankinson!
We Want to Hear From You!
Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener call-ins, so we’ve decided to make those a part of the Growing Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We’re have two “participation dance” elements of the show:
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“Small town humblebrags”: Call in and tell us about something amazing you did in your small town so we can celebrate with you. No win is too small—we want to hear it all, and we will be excessively enthusiastic about whatever it is! You can call in for your friends, too, because giving shout-outs is one of our favorite things.
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“Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges”: Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we’ll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We’re suave like that.
If you’ve got a humblebrag or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can’t wait to hear from you!
Get In Touch
Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a question, or just want to chat? Email us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org
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Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!