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The 32 Things to Economic Developers Need to Know This Week

The stories that Dane thinks you need to see this week. July 6, 2023 edition.

Dane Carlson
Dane Carlson
7 min read
The 32 Things to Economic Developers Need to Know This Week
Photo by Richard Burlton / Unsplash

Welcome to this week's issue of What Economic Developers Need to Know This Week, where we explore the evolving dynamics of our economy.

This week we have 32 tools, stories, graphics, charts and videos that I think you'll find informative, useful, inspiring, and perhaps even humorous. Some are economic development related directly, and some only indirectly. 🤔

If you're wondering what to do with the info in this newsletter, send something to your board members. It will make you look good!

As always, if you find something interesting, please send it to me.


0) 🎂 Happy birthday to my lovely wife and most avid reader (She still has a 100% open rate.) She's been in California this week, but when she get's back tomorrow we'll celebrate the anniversary of her 29th birthday.


Today's email is brought to you by Resource Development Group.

They offer customized economic development fundraising solutions for Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Organizations.

“I’m not sure if you are stupid or brilliant!”

Those were the words of Charles McFall, President and CEO of the Anderson, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Resource Development Group’s first client in June of 1996.

Here's their story.


1) Some good advice I learned this week:

When someone offers you help that is valuable:

  • Opt into the help right away
  • Make a direct and very specific ask
  • Follow-up within a week

2) 2.2 million people moved to the Southeast in just over two years. That’s roughly the population of Houston:


3) The exodus of young families from the country’s major urban areas continued into 2022, even as the economy began to normalize.


4) Mexico is becoming the new China, in all the right ways:


5) As an economic developer, something about this story makes me chuckle: Plan to build world’s tallest flagpole — bigger than the Empire State Building — with massive American flag divides tiny Maine town.



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