coronavirus

April 23: Roger Lee | Economic Development for Central Oregon | COVID-19 MINISERIES
April 23: Roger Lee | Economic Development for Central Oregon | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Roger Lee joins Ron Kitchens to talk how his organization is responding to the impacts from COVID-19. Roger and Ron talk about the resiliency and ingenuity shown in manufacturing and technology, and what great economic development organizations will look like in the future.

Roger is the CEO of Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO), where he has been for over 20 years. At EDCO, Roger is responsible for the tri-county area’s economic development strategy, business recruitment, oversight of the organization and its satellite offices, and development of special projects including industrial parks, expansion of commercial air service and creation of new programs to assist the region’s traded-sector employers and improve the overall business climate.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday America’s Jobs Team will be airing a new episode focusing on the response to the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of economic developers and site consultants alike. We have gathered that our listening audience has a deep desire to hear from other economic development professionals about how they are handling this crisis. Due to the frequency of podcast releases, we will not be sending a daily email with the new episodes. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.

April 22: Rob Cleveland | Cornerstone Alliance | COVID-19 MINISERIES
April 22: Rob Cleveland | Cornerstone Alliance | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Rob Cleveland talks with Carla Sones. Rob talks about the challenges in pivoting a team from their daily roles to taking on brand new responsibilities for the foreseeable future, and how he’s keeping his team engaged.

Rob joined Cornerstone Alliance as president in 2015. Located in Michigan’s Great Southwest, the Cornerstone Alliance is Berrien County’s premier economic development organization. Rob leads a team of a dozen individuals devoted to the enrichment of economic vitality, improved employment opportunities, expansion of the tax base and the creation of wealth in Berrien County.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday America’s Jobs Team will be airing a new episode focusing on the response to the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of economic developers and site consultants alike. We have gathered that our listening audience has a deep desire to hear from other economic development professionals about how they are handling this crisis. Due to the frequency of podcast releases, we will not be sending a daily email with the new episodes. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.

April 22: Brett Bayduss | Site Selection Group | COVID-19 MINISERIES
April 22: Brett Bayduss | Site Selection Group | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Brett Bayduss talks with Carla Sones about what the longterm effects of COVID-19 may be. He dives into whether the work-from-home culture is here to stay or if people will naturally gravitate to office environments again, and reminds us that it’s okay to just be there to listen to your community.

Brett is executive vice president and founding partner of Site Selection Group and brings more than 20 years of site selection experience to the company. Brett manages the site selection consulting process and is responsible for maintaining the company’s proprietary information databases. He provides value to his clients by maximizing the efficiencies of labor, economic incentives, logistic and real estate conditions of corporate operations and by consulting communities on optimal methodologies to increase economic growth.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday America’s Jobs Team will be airing a new episode focusing on the response to the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of economic developers and site consultants alike. We have gathered that our listening audience has a deep desire to hear from other economic development professionals about how they are handling this crisis. Due to the frequency of podcast releases, we will not be sending a daily email with the new episodes. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.

April 21: Courtney Ross | Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce | COVID-19 MINISERIES
April 21: Courtney Ross | Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Courtney Ross joins Ron Kitchens to talk about how Nashville is faring through not only COVID-19 impacts, but also from the tornado which destroyed parts of downtown in early March. Courtney shares insight on the healthcare industry getting hit hard by the cancelations of almost all elective surgeries, and talks about finding joy and laughter in unexpected times.

Courtney is the chief economic developer for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, where she leads on business recruitment, retention and expansion, as well as talent recruitment and retention. The Nashville Chamber has been named the nation’s top economic development group four times under her leadership.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday America’s Jobs Team will be airing a new episode focusing on the response to the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of economic developers and site consultants alike. We have gathered that our listening audience has a deep desire to hear from other economic development professionals about how they are handling this crisis. Due to the frequency of podcast releases, we will not be sending a daily email with the new episodes. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.

April 20: Rodrick Miller | Invest Puerto Rico | COVID-19 MINISERIES
April 20: Rodrick Miller | Invest Puerto Rico | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Rodrick Miller joins Ron Kitchens to talk about Puerto Rico’s response to COVID-19. Rod talks about how his region’s muscle memory from previous crisis responses has helped it to respond quickly. He dives into the need to underscore a message of resilience and acknowledging that no one is immune to outside risk.

Rod is president and CEO at Invest Puerto Rico. Previously, he was president and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, the public-private partnership charged with leading the economic revitalization of the city of Detroit. Prior to his leadership there, Rod was the president and CEO of the New Orleans Business Alliance, where he assisted in the city’s come-back post-hurricane Katrina. With numerous accolades under his belt, Rod is widely respected for his ability to maneuver in complex political and business environments, and craft strategies and structure deals to provide long-term value to communities and investors.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday America’s Jobs Team will be airing a new episode focusing on the response to the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of economic developers and site consultants alike. We have gathered that our listening audience has a deep desire to hear from other economic development professionals about how they are handling this crisis. Due to the frequency of podcast releases, we will not be sending a daily email with the new episodes. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.

April 17: Kenny McDonald | One Columbus | COVID-19 MINISERIES
April 17: Kenny McDonald | One Columbus | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Carla Sones has a conversation with Kenny McDonald. Kenny talks about the importance of identifying which companies and industries are going to be an anchor in this storm, and why having strong relationships with existing industries in the community is crucial. He shares that two questions are driving his and his team’s decisions: How do we add value? And how do we build trust?

Kenny is the president and chief economic officer of One Columbus, formerly Columbus 2020, since the organization’s inception in 2010, and he is also the chair of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Governance Committee. He has helped lead the execution of the One Columbus Regional Growth Strategy and development of the Columbus Region’s competitiveness agenda, and he has also built local and national partnerships that have accelerated the area’s development. Kenny has over 20 years of regional economic development and management consulting experience focused on helping companies develop and execute their location strategies and helping communities achieve their goals.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday America’s Jobs Team will be airing a new episode focusing on the response to the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of economic developers and site consultants alike. We have gathered that our listening audience has a deep desire to hear from other economic development professionals about how they are handling this crisis. Due to the frequency of podcast releases, we will not be sending a daily email with the new episodes. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.

April 16: Misti Martin | Cherokee Office of Economic Development | COVID-19 MINISERIES
April 16: Misti Martin | Cherokee Office of Economic Development | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Ron Kitchens talks with Misti Martin, who shares the unexpected businesses that are doing well in this crisis. Misti talks candidly about the concerns for public-private partnerships, divulges excellent advice about how to reach out to existing businesses, and dives into the inevitable changes for economic development.

Misti is the president of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development and a native of Georgia. She has over 25 years of experience in the economic development field and has served as the president of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development since 2004. Misti has been featured as one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s “40 Under 40” and as a “Notable Georgian.”

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday America’s Jobs Team will be airing a new episode focusing on the response to the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of economic developers and site consultants alike. We have gathered that our listening audience has a deep desire to hear from other economic development professionals about how they are handling this crisis. Due to the frequency of podcast releases, we will not be sending a daily email with the new episodes. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.

April 15: Tim Eckerle and Mikayla Marazzi | Grant County Economic Growth Council | COVID-19 MINISERIES
April 15: Tim Eckerle and Mikayla Marazzi | Grant County Economic Growth Council | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Tim Eckerle and Mikayla Marazzi team up with Carla Sones on today’s podcast to talk about the initiatives they’re implementing in Grant County, Indiana to help cushion the effects of COVID-19 on the business community. Tim and Mikayla share insight on the funding programs put in place, as well as how much this crisis is going to change the habits of people in economic development and business as a whole.

Tim Eckerle has been executive director of the Grant County Economic Growth Council since 1984. As the council’s only director, he developed the organization’s mission and guided its development. His work was instrumental in bringing almost two dozen employers, including automotive parts manufacturers, makers of plastic lids and an ethanol plant. Also, his tenure has seen more than $2 billion in modernization and expansion in existing businesses.

Mikayla Marazzi joined the Grant County Economic Growth Council in August 2017. She is a graduate of the International Economic Development Council’s Basic Economic Development Course, and a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University with B.A. in English and has experience in a variety of international development projects: such as serving with Project Elea at Eleonas Refugee Camp in Athens, Greece or with Hogar Bethel, an orphanage in La Cumbre, Argentina. Mikayla hopes to bring her intercultural experience into her work with Grant County, as she aspires to cultivate a community of warmth, inclusion, and diversity.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday America’s Jobs Team will be airing a new episode focusing on the response to the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of economic developers and site consultants alike. We have gathered that our listening audience has a deep desire to hear from other economic development professionals about how they are handling this crisis. Due to the frequency of podcast releases, we will not be sending a daily email with the new episodes. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.

April 14: Quentin L. Messer, Jr. | New Orleans Business Alliance | COVID-19 MINISERIES
April 14: Quentin L. Messer, Jr. | New Orleans Business Alliance | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Quentin L. Messer, Jr. joins Ron Kitchens and shares insight on why New Orleans became a hotspot for the virus and how the city is fighting back by making fast, tough decisions. He emphasizes the resiliency of the city and talks about three ways that economic development will change in the future.

Quentin is the president and CEO of New Orleans Business Alliance, where he leads initiatives and programs related to making New Orleans the most attractive city of its size for financial and human capital investment. These initiatives and programs are conducted across four workstreams: business attraction/retention, small business growth, talent and workforce development, and strategic neighborhood development.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday America’s Jobs Team will be airing a new episode focusing on the response to the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of economic developers and site consultants alike. We have gathered that our listening audience has a deep desire to hear from other economic development professionals about how they are handling this crisis. Due to the frequency of podcast releases, we will not be sending a daily email with the new episodes. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.

April 13: Greg Wathen | Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana | COVID-19 MINISERIES
April 13: Greg Wathen | Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Carla Sones talks with Greg Wathen about how COVID-19 is affecting his region. Greg shares insight into what he’s seeing in terms of deal flow and how businesses are reacting.

Greg has served as the president and CEO of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana since 2007. During his tenure, he has helped garner over $2.8 billion in investment, over 3,500 jobs and over $115 million in state and federal grants for the region.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday America’s Jobs Team will be airing a new episode focusing on the response to the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of economic developers and site consultants alike. We have gathered that our listening audience has a deep desire to hear from other economic development professionals about how they are handling this crisis. Due to the frequency of podcast releases, we will not be sending a daily email with the new episodes. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.