the Local Economy Labs

The Local Economy Labs is a practitioner-focused podcast for Economic Development leaders and small business owners. Real conversations about what worked, what didn’t, where local systems break down, and how cities can use smarter processes and AI to better support small businesses. This isn’t a policy podcast. It’s a lab. We examine: Real experiments cities and businesses have tried What should have worked ...but didn’t Where processes, incentives, and assumptions break down Practical changes ED teams can test without new budgets or major policy shifts We also explore how AI and automation can reduce administrative burden inside local government freeing teams to focus more on impact and less on paperwork. The goal is simple: To create a feedback loop between Main Street and City Hall and turn lived experience into better economic development decisi