“Great thing take years to build.” —Sam Juraschka

In economic development, the pace of work can be grueling. Because we’re often operating in a short-term mindset due to full project pipelines and shorter timelines on projects, it can feel counter-intuitive to stop and think about the long term strategy of your organizations work. What are some crucial pieces of that long game vision? How are other economic developers focusing in to make sure their community is led by a proactive approach focused beyond the immediate future?

Today’s episode features three economic developers who share their thoughts around strategic components they deem crucial for a workplan that will stand the test of time. We’ll hear from Brandon Simmons, Vice President of Project Management at REDI Cincinnati, about his competitive endurance and how that edge fuels collaboration and longevity in projects and strategy. Then Emily Jerkins Hall, President and Chief Operating Officer at Birmingham Business Alliance shares her thoughts about the importance of having a research division embedded within the organization both from a strategic priority as well as a career planning point of view. Lastly, Matthew Slotwinski, Senior Economic Development Officer at the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, dives into the growing pains of project losses and how to utilize feedback from tough moments to inform the long term strategy moving forward.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for economic development strategic planning, but we hope this episode inspires new ways of thinking and spurs ideas on how to create a holistic long term vision and plan. You can find today’s episode on our website, via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai