Livability: Inside America's Best Cities

Fort Worth Film Commissioner Taylor Hardy shares about Fort Worth’s strategic embrace of film and television. Through workforce development, financial incentives, and industry partnerships, the community has generated over $700 million in economic impact since 2015 and supported more than 30,000 jobs.  

At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. W...

In this episode, we talk with Jennifer Wakefield, Greater Richmond Partnership, about the power of perception research in economic development. Discover how Richmond, Virginia, uses annual surveys of site selectors and corporate decision makers to put their best foot forward in site selection.

At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country...

Delve into what’s behind recent economic development wins in Arkansas with Hugh McDonald, Secretary of Commerce with the State of Arkansas. We chat with Hugh about the state's competitive advantages and how it’s attracting investment, supporting its communities and positioning itself for continued growth.

Resources Mentioned:

Be Pro Be Proud

Launch Arkansas

Work Here....

Discover how South Dakota is attracting new residents and tackling workforce needs with its innovative Dakota Roots program. We talk with Program Manager Alex Neuland about how Dakota Roots job advisors provide personalized support for relocators, from exploring job opportunities to navigating the move itself. 

At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the co...

In this conversation with Matt Tackett, President of the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC), we delve into the South as a premier investment location. Tune in to learn about SEDC's global reach, commitment to innovation and how it fosters collaboration among 17 member states. 

At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner wi...

Green jobs are booming in the U.S., and in North Port St. Joe, leaders are leveraging workforce training in green jobs to revitalize the local economy. This free 6-week brownfield training program helps residents gain green-collar skills to meet growing demand in the environmental sector.

Resources Mentioned:

Becoming a Clean Slate Community

At Livability, we highlight the uns...

In this episode, we meet Philadelphia’s night mayor and delve into the importance of a city’s nighttime economy – it’s not just about the fun, but the economic impact. 

At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine progr...

Traverse City’s Northern Explorers spend a weekend experiencing what it’d be like to live in this beautiful community. In this episode, Abby Baudry of Traverse Connect and Michigan’s Creative Coast, joins us to share more about this program with a 50% success rate of relocation. 

At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with com...

From big wins to boomerangs – and recruiting them back to town, what’s behind all the success in Greensboro? In this episode, Marvin Price, Executive Vice President of Economic Development for the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, joins us to talk about these wins and much more. 

At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partne...

AI has been a hot button topic in 2024, to say the least. In our interview with Chmura’s Mike Chmura, we look at the data on AI jobs to offer a better understanding of the AI job market especially for economic developers looking to stay ahead of the curve.

Resources mentioned:

The State of AI Jobs 

JobsEQ

At Livability, we highlight the unsung aweso...

Learn about the Taylor Swift Effect on Kansas City due to the pop star's romance with Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce. Danielle Hilton of TeamKC joins us in this episode to chat about maximizing happenings that put your city in the limelight, through the lens of KC’s pop culture moments.

Resources mentioned:

Our City Was a Character on The Office

KC Options Magazine

Each season, we hear from a community who recently won a significant project. On this Pick Me! episode, Joey Deason, Executive Director of the Madison County Economic Development Authority in Mississippi, joins us to talk about landing a $10 billion investment from Amazon Web Services.

At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We als...

Wondering how to promote your small to mid-sized city? Tune in to hear how Livability can help, plus the perks of living in a smaller city, highlights of our research on American relocation and what we want when it comes to where we live. 

Resources mentioned:

Livability’s Relocation Research

Livability’s Talent Attraction Newsletter 

Have Livability Speak at Your ...

In this episode, Nicole Bentley of Safal Partners covers all the ins and outs of Registered Apprenticeship and how apprenticeship can help build the workforce you need. Questions? Reach out to her at nicole.bentley@safalpartners.com.

At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and pot...

In this episode, learn about Arvada, CO’s approach to supporting local manufacturers. Iza Petrykowska, Executive Director at the Arvada Economic Development Association shares how this program helps retain jobs, increase sales and foster a thriving manufacturing sector.

At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to...

Hear firsthand how the award-winning Shared Equipment Program is revolutionizing access to expensive, specialized machinery for Ponca City's manufacturers.

At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine progr...

Internships are key to your talent pipeline and boost talent retention in your community. What can you do to make more of them available to students in your area? Workforce development expert Becca Cruger shares tips and a case study: the Intern Grand Forks program. 

Resources Mentioned:

Grand Forks Workforce Pipeline Map

At Livability, we highlight t...

Prepping for your next fundraising or support campaign? You’re in the right place with this interview from Tom DiFiore of National Community Development Services helping you put your best foot forward for securing those dollars. 

At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential...

We’re talking data centers to kick off Season 5! Bryan Rothamel, Culpeper County (VA) Economic Development, shares about the Culpeper Technology Zone, a 690-acre campus designated to host data centers and advance the STEM industries at the forefront of Culpeper’s economy. 

At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities...