Most entrepreneurship support organizations are drowning in data they can’t actually use. Here’s what’s going wrong — and what to do about it.
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In this landmark episode of Breaking Down Barriers, EIC CEO David Ponraj sits down with one of the most influential voices in economic development—Nathan Ohle, President & CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). With 100 years of history and a pivotal centennial celebration on the horizon, Nathan shares what's driven him across two decades in the field, where the profession is headed, and what every economic developer needs to be thinking about right now.
What we cover in this episode:
How Nathan got into economic development — From serving as trip director for Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to running three economic development boards during one of the worst recessions in state history, Nathan's path into the field was anything but planned. He shares how the crisis of Michigan's recession actually forced the kind of innovative, community-first thinking that has shaped his entire career.
System stewardship vs. transactional economic development — Nathan breaks down a concept that's generating real conversation across the field: the shift from deal-making to system connectors. Economic developers have always been natural conveners and catalyzers—but today, that means intentionally bridging workforce, housing, childcare, education, and community planning in ways the field has never formalized before.
Technology, AI, and the communities getting left behind — AI is creating extraordinary efficiency gains, but it's also moving faster than communities can keep up. Nathan speaks candidly about what IEDC is doing to equip EDOs of all sizes—from those on the cutting edge to those still catching up—and why the data center conversation is one of the most complex, community-loaded issues economic developers are navigating right now.
The federal funding landscape — With a generational wave of federal investment now giving way to significant uncertainty, Nathan identifies the programs that continue to hold bipartisan support (CDBG, EDA, USDA Rural Development) and gives practical guidance on diversifying beyond federal resources.
Advocacy as a core economic development function — IEDC has been deepening its advocacy work in Washington, and Nathan explains why the time to build relationships with congressional offices is before a crisis hits. He talks about storytelling, data, and why raising the profile of economic development in policymakers' minds is mission-critical.
IEDC's Centennial and the Annual Conference in New Orleans — 1,700–1,800 attendees. 45+ breakout sessions. A centennial celebration at Mardi Gras World. Richard Florida as a keynote. Nathan walks through what makes the Annual Conference special (and why David calls it his favorite conference of the year).
What Nathan would do differently — If he could go back, Nathan says he would have started the storytelling conversation much earlier. Because if you don't tell your story, someone else will. and it won't be the story you want told.
Resources & Links:
Breaking Down Barriers is produced by Economic Impact Catalyst (EIC). Learn more at economicimpactcatalyst.com
In this landmark episode of Breaking Down Barriers, EIC CEO David Ponraj sits down with one of the most influential voices in economic development—Nathan Ohle, President & CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). With 100 years of history and a pivotal centennial celebration on the horizon, Nathan shares what's driven him across two decades in the field, where the profession is headed, and what every economic developer needs to be thinking about right now.
What we cover in this episode:
How Nathan got into economic development — From serving as trip director for Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to running three economic development boards during one of the worst recessions in state history, Nathan's path into the field was anything but planned. He shares how the crisis of Michigan's recession actually forced the kind of innovative, community-first thinking that has shaped his entire career.
System stewardship vs. transactional economic development — Nathan breaks down a concept that's generating real conversation across the field: the shift from deal-making to system connectors. Economic developers have always been natural conveners and catalyzers—but today, that means intentionally bridging workforce, housing, childcare, education, and community planning in ways the field has never formalized before.
Technology, AI, and the communities getting left behind — AI is creating extraordinary efficiency gains, but it's also moving faster than communities can keep up. Nathan speaks candidly about what IEDC is doing to equip EDOs of all sizes—from those on the cutting edge to those still catching up—and why the data center conversation is one of the most complex, community-loaded issues economic developers are navigating right now.
The federal funding landscape — With a generational wave of federal investment now giving way to significant uncertainty, Nathan identifies the programs that continue to hold bipartisan support (CDBG, EDA, USDA Rural Development) and gives practical guidance on diversifying beyond federal resources.
Advocacy as a core economic development function — IEDC has been deepening its advocacy work in Washington, and Nathan explains why the time to build relationships with congressional offices is before a crisis hits. He talks about storytelling, data, and why raising the profile of economic development in policymakers' minds is mission-critical.
IEDC's Centennial and the Annual Conference in New Orleans — 1,700–1,800 attendees. 45+ breakout sessions. A centennial celebration at Mardi Gras World. Richard Florida as a keynote. Nathan walks through what makes the Annual Conference special (and why David calls it his favorite conference of the year).
What Nathan would do differently — If he could go back, Nathan says he would have started the storytelling conversation much earlier. Because if you don't tell your story, someone else will. and it won't be the story you want told.
Resources & Links:
Breaking Down Barriers is produced by Economic Impact Catalyst (EIC). Learn more at economicimpactcatalyst.com
In this landmark episode of Breaking Down Barriers, EIC CEO David Ponraj sits down with one of the most influential voices in economic development—Nathan Ohle, President & CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). With 100 years of history and a pivotal centennial celebration on the horizon, Nathan shares what's driven him across two decades in the field, where the profession is headed, and what every economic developer needs to be thinking about right now.
What we cover in this episode:
How Nathan got into economic development — From serving as trip director for Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to running three economic development boards during one of the worst recessions in state history, Nathan's path into the field was anything but planned. He shares how the crisis of Michigan's recession actually forced the kind of innovative, community-first thinking that has shaped his entire career.
System stewardship vs. transactional economic development — Nathan breaks down a concept that's generating real conversation across the field: the shift from deal-making to system connectors. Economic developers have always been natural conveners and catalyzers—but today, that means intentionally bridging workforce, housing, childcare, education, and community planning in ways the field has never formalized before.
Technology, AI, and the communities getting left behind — AI is creating extraordinary efficiency gains, but it's also moving faster than communities can keep up. Nathan speaks candidly about what IEDC is doing to equip EDOs of all sizes—from those on the cutting edge to those still catching up—and why the data center conversation is one of the most complex, community-loaded issues economic developers are navigating right now.
The federal funding landscape — With a generational wave of federal investment now giving way to significant uncertainty, Nathan identifies the programs that continue to hold bipartisan support (CDBG, EDA, USDA Rural Development) and gives practical guidance on diversifying beyond federal resources.
Advocacy as a core economic development function — IEDC has been deepening its advocacy work in Washington, and Nathan explains why the time to build relationships with congressional offices is before a crisis hits. He talks about storytelling, data, and why raising the profile of economic development in policymakers' minds is mission-critical.
IEDC's Centennial and the Annual Conference in New Orleans — 1,700–1,800 attendees. 45+ breakout sessions. A centennial celebration at Mardi Gras World. Richard Florida as a keynote. Nathan walks through what makes the Annual Conference special (and why David calls it his favorite conference of the year).
What Nathan would do differently — If he could go back, Nathan says he would have started the storytelling conversation much earlier. Because if you don't tell your story, someone else will. and it won't be the story you want told.
Resources & Links:
Breaking Down Barriers is produced by Economic Impact Catalyst (EIC). Learn more at economicimpactcatalyst.com