Livability: Inside America's Best Cities

Job training programs that are short, free and tailored to the needs of your employers could be key to maximizing your existing workforce. Tune in for a case study from Shannon Thiele, Ames Regional Economic Alliance, on the community's Story Country Retraining Program. 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 programs. Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

New Mexico recently unveiled free child care for all New Mexico families. We sat down with Kendal Chavez, Deputy Secretary, New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department, to hear how they're pulling off this game-changing initiative. 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 programs. Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

In a crowded digital landscape, it's more important than ever for chambers to establish themselves as a one-stop information shop. In this episode, learn how to move beyond event announcements and transform your chamber into a trusted source for the news, stories and insights your members are seeking. (5:03) Jeremy Henderson, Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce (10:52) Anna-Grace Galloway, Greenville Chamber of Commerce Resources Mentioned: Business Trend Magazine "What's Happening at the Greenville Chamber This Week" 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 programs. Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) shares their Project Reconnect initiative helping adult students return to school through a human-centered, holistic approach. Hear how the program goes beyond tuition by covering previous debt balances and providing empathetic, personalized support for real-life barriers like transportation and childcare.    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 programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  

Today communities are moving beyond traditional job boards to connect relocating talent with job opportunities. Hear how innovative programs in Northwest Arkansas, Champaign-Urbana and South Dakota use human-centered support to go the extra mile when it comes to talent attraction: (02:13) Aron Shelton, Finding Northwest Arkansas (10:00) Carly McCrory-McKay, Champaign-Urbana Community Job Application (17:02) Alex Neuland, Dakota Roots Job Advisors   Resources Mentioned: TeamKC Career Network   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 programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

In this episode, Estes Hughes, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, joins us to discuss FuelAL, the state's innovative program designed to retain college students after graduation. Customized programs offer students professional development, social opportunities and community service, plus expose them to diverse cities and industries across the state.     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 programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

Boomerangs can be a great talent attraction target – maybe you are one yourself! In this episode, we look at a couple community programs focused on bringing back boomerangs, and hear from some boomerangs themselves about their stories and what drew them back to the cities they’re now based in:  [02:04]: Josh, a business owner making a social impact in Colorado Springs, CO [08:22]: Lauren, a veterinarian who wanted to be closer to family in Chattanooga, TN [12:35]: Brian, a lawyer who burned out in big cities + started fresh in Greenville, NC   Resources Mentioned: Boomerang Greensboro Love, Kansas   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 programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

Downtowns are a huge part of a city’s identity, but the fast-growing Austin suburb of Cedar Park didn’t have one. Enter the new downtown Bell District and its anchor, the Cedar Park Public Library. In this episode, hear from Mayor Jim Penniman-Morin about the vibrant, walkable heartbeat of Cedar Park, the importance of having a downtown and how to create one from the ground up.   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 programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  

Welcome to a new season! And welcome to a new format for some of our episodes, where you get to hear from multiple experts on a topic, tied together by host and Livability Editor in Chief Amanda Ellis. In this episode, we’re sharing how you can retain students and recent grads in your community, including: 4:45 - Partnerships & Intern Grand Forks 7:35 - Industry-Specific Funding Support  8:15 - Registered Apprenticeships  10:30 - Wraparound Support for Interns & Campus Tulsa 12:20 - Helping Interns Connect to the Community & The Flinterns    Resources Mentioned: What You Need to Know About Registered Apprenticeship   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 programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

Hilary Doe, Chief Growth Officer for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, shares how Michigan is strategically addressing population and workforce challenges through a multifaceted approach. From leaning into who you are as a community to drawing on marketing tactics from other industries, get insights on what works to make your place home to more talent. Resources mentioned: You Can in Michigan Make MI Home Michigander Scholarship   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 programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  

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. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  

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. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  

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. Live Here.   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 programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

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 country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  

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 with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  

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 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 programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  

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 programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  

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 communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

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 partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com. Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  

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 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 programs. Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.   Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.