the Local Economy Labs

Steven Jenkins (Idaho Power): Trade Free Zones, how can they be competitive advantage

Steven Jenkins is the Economic and Community Development Advisor at Idaho Power. Previously, he served as Economic Development Director at City of Caldwell ID. In this episode, we dive into: * Power & data centers: what pre-engineering assessments are and how utilities evaluate projects * Idaho’s power boom — Meta, Micron, and the wave of large-scale developments * How Idaho Power evaluates and prioritizes upcoming projects * Understanding how utility companies actually operate behind the scenes * What cities can do to prepare sites and involve communities before major projects arrive * Foreign Trade Zones: what they are and how they can become a competitive advantage for cities A fascinating conversation for city leaders, utilities, economic development teams, and anyone thinking about the future of infrastructure and growth.

Dr. Dustin Stambaugh City Manager, Weed, CA on Data Centers, Water Management, and Hydrology

In this episode, Dr. Dustin Stambaugh, City Manager at City of Weed, CA shares his perspective on: * Why we need to get serious about managing our water supply * Data centers and their cooling demands * What City Managers should consider before approving data centers in their communities * What hydrology is — and why it matters more than ever * Golf courses and water usage (including a surprising insight) * The Colorado River Compact and its long-term implications * Navigating difficult decisions in public leadership …and plenty of insightful nuggets along the way.

Aayush Gupta is the Economic Development Reporter @ Dallas Business Journal.

Aayush Gupta is the Economic Development Reporter at Dallas Business Journal. In this interview we talk about: * Are incentives still driving relocation decisions, or are workforce, infrastructure, and quality of life taking the lead? * What is Y'all Street? Finance Boom in DFW * How big is the funding gap between SMBs and large corporations when it comes to incentives and access to capital? * In business-friendly regions like Texas, how much does community input influence decisions to attract large corporations? * Cities like Princeton, Celina, Anna, and Melissa are growing fast - what does economic development look like in these smaller, emerging markets? * DFW's explosive growth - 400 people moving their daily. * What role are data centers playing in local economic strategies today? * As a reporter, what do you focus on most—and are there political or economic pressures that shape coverage? * In today’s economy, who is clearly winning and who is quietly falling behind? * How is AI affecting the Journalists workflow. any many more ear nuggets along the way.

Marian Marquez: Sr. VP of Economic Dev at Alexandria Economic Development Partnership

Marian Marquez: Sr. VP of Economic Development, Alexandria Economic Development Partnership In this episode, Marian shares how Alexandria, VA is strategically driving growth and supporting its business ecosystem. We dive into: • Key industries shaping Alexandria’s future — Cybersecurity, AI, and more • How to define and track KPIs — from selection to stakeholder buy-in • The process behind choosing high-impact projects • Spotlight on major initiatives like the Virginia Tech Institute for Advanced Computing • Community-driven development — balancing resident input with strategic priorities • The role of the “Thinkers & Residents Board” and how it strengthens decision-making • Supporting early-stage entrepreneurs and fostering innovation • How to decide which projects are worth rallying behind This conversation is packed with actionable insights for Economic Development leaders, city officials, and entrepreneurs looking to drive meaningful impact.

Christina Winn: How state and local governments determine incentives for corporations?

Christina Winn leads lead the Prince William County Department of Economic Development, catalyzing investment, retention, and redevelopment opportunities in the second largest county in Virginia. By positioning the county as a leader in the fast-paced, evolving economy of the Washington, D.C. region, we are shaping stages for expansion and collaboration in key target industries. In this interview she talks about: * Why they are perfectly located for anyone who wants to build company in Supply Chain Logistics and Biotechnology. * How state and local governments determine incentives for corporations? * Economic Impact vs. Fiscal Impact * Data Centers and Community Impact * How they encourage startup founders and businesses? * Tech work culture and infrastructure to support businesses. * What does it take to open up XYZ store in particular area? and many more nuggets along the way.