Developing the Block, a North Carolina Economic Development Podcast

On this episode of Developing the Block, Trey and Elizabeth welcome Crystal Morphis, Chair of the NCEDA Foundation, and Steve Yost, Vice Chair of the NCEDA Foundation, for the podcast’s first two guest conversation.

Crystal and Steve share the purpose of the NCEDA Foundation, why it matters to the economic development profession, and how scholarships, professional development, and programs like Career Trek help support the next generation of economic developers. They also discuss the importance of investing in people, getting involved through NCEDA, and supporting the Foundation’s silent auction fundraiser at the NCEDA Fall Conference in A...

In this episode, Elizabeth and Trey sit down with Kelly Bowers, NCCED, Economic Development Director for Hertford County and Economic Development Specialist with Timmons Group.

Kelly shares how a passion for real estate, revitalization, and problem solving grew into a career in economic development. With experience in rural communities, smart growth, agriculture, industry, tourism, and community development, Kelly brings a thoughtful perspective on what it takes to connect the dots and help places move forward.

The conversation covers her work in Hertford County, her role with Timmons Group, and the importance of building stronger communities...

We are back.

After a long hiatus, Developing the Block returns for Season 3 with a new name, a fresh start, and a very special first guest.

In this episode, Elizabeth and Trey welcome Walt Sprouse, a longtime economic development leader, mentor, and friend. Walt talks about his long history with Elizabeth, including knowing her since she was a child, and shares stories from a career spent helping communities grow, compete, and win major projects.

Walt’s experience stretches across decades of economic development work, from leading Randolph County Economic Development Corporation to serving as...

In this episode of The New Economic Developers on the Block, we sit down with Nate Groover, Economic Development Director for the Town of Garner. Nate brings a unique perspective shaped by years of experience across every level of economic development—state, regional, local, and private-sector—plus a foundation built in the U.S. Air Force.

We explore how those roles shaped his approach to economic development, what it means to “work with what you have,” and how Garner is building momentum through strategic partnerships and community assets. Nate also shares lessons from earning his NC Certified Economic...

In this episode of The New Economic Developers on the Block, we sit down with Nathan Huret, Economic Development Director at Catawba County EDC. With over 15 years of experience, Nathan has led key initiatives like the Catawba Lean Council, Manufactured in NC, the Catawba County Wages & Benefits Survey, and HKY4Vets. He shares insights on building strong partnerships, making programs sustainable, and why persistence is key—even when timing challenges a great idea.

We also take a detour into some behind-the-scenes chaos as Elizabeth runs into some unexpected microphone troubles (and maybe even breaks it). Tune in fo...

In this episode of The New Economic Developers on the Block, we sit down with Ben Kinney, Publisher of Business North Carolina and SouthPark magazines. With a storied career at the helm of award-winning publications that capture the essence of North Carolina’s diverse economy and lifestyle, Ben offers invaluable insights into the ever-changing world of media. He shares practical tips for handling media relations and discusses how the news landscape has transformed during his tenure, reflecting broader shifts in communication and technology. Along the way, we also delve into his love of music and explore how it...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of The New Economic Developers on the Block! This week, we're thrilled to have Joe Melvin, Vice President of North Carolina’s Southeast Regional Economic Development Partnership, join us for a candid conversation about his dynamic career and visionary approach to economic development.

With over 16 years of experience spanning key roles at organizations like the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc., Joe has honed a unique perspective on leadership and innovation. In our discussion, he shares how we can approach economic development with the same passion, care, and intentionality fo...

Welcome back to the second season of "The New Economic Developers on the Block" podcast! In this episode, we are excited to have Anna Walker, Economic Development Manager with the NC Electric Cooperatives.

We had an engaging conversation about Anna's journey from being raised in Georgia to finding her place in North Carolina. Anna, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Princeton University, has been with the NC Electric Cooperatives for nearly two years, starting as an Economic Development Specialist and now serving as the Economic Development Manager. We also explored the various programs and...

Welcome back to the second season of "The New Economic Developers on the Block" podcast! In this episode, we are thrilled to have Natalie Hawkins, President of the Moore County Economic Development Partnership (MCEDP) and Chair of the Legislative Committee with NCEDA, who also serves on the NCEDA Board of Directors.

We had a fantastic conversation about Natalie's journey from being a CPA to working with the Village of Pinehurst, and now leading the Moore County Economic Development Partnership. We also delved into the crucial work of the Legislative Committee with NCEDA and the significance of the "...

Welcome back to the second season of "The New Economic Developers on the Block" podcast! In this episode, we are thrilled to have Kelly Andrews, Director of Pitt County Economic Development, as our guest. Kelly shares her expertise and insights into the economic growth of Pitt County and Greenville, including the monumental success of Project Bluefin, one of the county's largest announcements.

In our conversation, we dive deep into how this project has impacted the region, the strategic planning that went into securing such a significant win, and what it means for the future of Pitt County...

Welcome back to the second season of "The New Economic Developers on the Block" podcast! In this episode, we're joined by Samantha Cole, the Child Care Business Liaison for the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Samantha brings a unique perspective on the crucial role of child care in economic development.

Before joining N.C. Commerce, Samantha served as the Director of Workforce Partnerships with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County, where she spearheaded efforts to connect individuals facing employment barriers with meaningful job opportunities. She also helped local employers implement...

Welcome back to the second season of "The New Economic Developers on the Block" podcast! In this episode, we're joined by Ernie Pearson, Senior Counsel with Maynard Nexsen and founding partner of Sanford Holshouser, Economic Development Consulting. Ernie brings a wealth of experience in economic development, having worked with over one hundred companies and numerous local and regional programs.

We dive into Ernie's impressive career, discussing multi-jurisdictional industrial parks, the differences between shell buildings and ready buildings, and much more. Ernie shares his insights on the creative approaches that lead to successful outcomes for businesses and communities...

Welcome back to the second season of "The New Economic Developers on the Block" podcast! We're thrilled to kick off this season with a special guest, Chris Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). In this episode, we have an engaging conversation with Chris about EDPNC and their upcoming tenth-year anniversary. Chris shares his inspiring journey from being a student at Ohio State to leading EDPNC. Tune in for insights, stories, and more. Please listen and subscribe, and stay tuned for an exciting lineup of guests this season!

Welcome to the final episode of Season 1 of "The New Developers on the Block"! As we gear up for a summer break and eagerly anticipate Season 2 launching late this summer, we're excited to wrap up with a special guest and a glimpse into the dynamic world of economic development.

In this episode, we are joined by Stephanie Grosick, Vice President of Business Development at the Florence County Economic Development Partnership in South Carolina. Stephanie sheds light on the nuances between economic development in South Carolina and North Carolina, highlighting shared connections and distinct strategies.

Stephanie's...

Welcome to a special episode of “The New Developers on the Block”! Today, we are thrilled to welcome our first out-of-state guest, Ben McDaniel, the Economic Development Director for the Barrow-Braselton Joint Economic Development Authority in Georgia.

Click Here to view Ben’s LinkedIn Profile

In this episode, we had the pleasure of learning more about Ben and his community of Barrow County. Ben shares his expertise on leveraging LinkedIn and ChatGPT for economic development, offering valuable insights into how these tools can enhance community marketing efforts.

Ben discusses the innovative strategies he employ...

Welcome to another exciting installment of "The New Developers on the Block"! In this episode, listeners are treated to an insightful conversation with Trey Goodson, the Chief Information Officer and Economic Development Director for the NC East Alliance.

Click Here to view Trey's LinkedIn Profile

Trey shares his journey from being a student at East Carolina University (ECU) to working with the NC East Alliance. He delves into the significant contributions of STEM East, an initiative of NC East Alliance, explaining what STEM East is and highlighting the impactful work it is doing. Additionally, Trey...

Welcome to another exciting installment of "The New Developers on the Block"! In this episode, listeners are treated to an insightful conversation with Cliff Brumfield, the Executive Director of the Lincoln Economic Development Association (LEDA). From his enduring passion for Ford Broncos to his journey to Lincoln County and his perspectives on professional development, Cliff's story offers a captivating blend of personal interests and professional insights.

Throughout the episode, Cliff draws upon his wealth of knowledge to offer practical advice and reflections on professional development. From cultivating strategic partnerships to staying abreast of industry trends, his insights...

Welcome to a captivating episode of "The New Developers on the Block,". In this episode, we are joined by Maria Satira, the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Greenville ENC Alliance. With over a decade of experience in journalism, media relations, marketing, and communications, Maria brings a wealth of knowledge to our discussion. We delve into the crucial role of marketing in economic development, the strategies for effective community promotion, and the importance of strategic partnerships and talent attraction. Maria shares insights from her book, "An Introduction to Media Relations for Nonprofit Organizations," and her experiences in various...

Welcome to another insightful episode of "The New Developers on the Block"!

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Josh Grant, a key member of the NCEDA Legislative Committee. Josh's diverse background in business, higher education, and government, including his significant experience at the General Assembly, has shaped his expertise in legislative advocacy. Join us as we delve into Josh's journey, the inner workings of the General Assembly, and the crucial role of the NCEDA Legislative Committee in advocacy efforts. Don't miss this insightful conversation on the importance of advocacy in economic development and the impact of...

Welcome to another engaging episode of "The New Developers on the Block"!

In this episode, we are honored to have Randall Johnson, Executive Director of the Southeastern Office of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, as our special guest.

Randall Johnson brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table, having played a pivotal role in the growth and development of the biotechnology sector in North Carolina. 

In this conversation, Randall will shed light on the mission and achievements of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the vital role of biotechnology in economic development, a...

Welcome to another exciting episode of "The New Developers on the Block"! We are thrilled to introduce our special guest, Crystal Morphis, CCED, with Creative Economic Development Consulting. Crystal is the bright idea generator behind Creative EDC, a firm she founded in 2012 and has since established as the "go-to" economic development consulting firm.

With a background as both a practitioner and consultant, Crystal brings a wealth of expertise in strategic planning, product development, organizational development, economic impact studies, existing business retention and expansion programs, and site selection. She has consulted with companies and economic development organizations across...

Welcome to another captivating episode of "The New Developers on the Block"! In this installment, your hosts, Elizabeth Underwood and Trey Cash, sit down with Charla Duncan, the Director of Community and Economic Development with Warren County and the esteemed recipient of the 2023 NCEDA Emerging Leader of the Year award.

Join Elizabeth, Trey, and Charla as they embark on a dynamic conversation exploring Charla's remarkable journey in economic development and her invaluable insights on relationship-building within the field. From navigating challenges to seizing opportunities, Charla shares her expertise and experiences, offering listeners a firsthand glimpse into the...

Welcome to an exciting episode of "The New Developers on the Block," in which host Elizabeth Underwood engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Blake Moyer, President of the Surry County Economic Development Partnership. In this episode, Elizabeth and Blake explore a range of impactful topics, including the upcoming Emerging Executives Conference, housing issues, and the vital role of professional development in today's economic landscape.

The Emerging Executives Forum takes center stage, offering listeners an inside look at initiatives aimed at nurturing the next generation of leaders in North Carolina. 

Blake Moyer is leading the Surry C...

Welcome to an insightful new episode of "The New Economic Developers on the Block." In this episode, hosts Elizabeth Underwood and Trey Cash sit down with Lisa Finaldi, the Community Engagement Leader for the NC Early Childhood Foundation (NCECF). Lisa is at the forefront, leading the NC Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and driving the impactful Family Forward NC initiative.

With a rich background as an experienced non-profit leader on the state, national, and international stages, Lisa has a proven track record of bringing communities, businesses, government entities, and organizations together for collaborative change. Throughout her career, she...

Welcome to a new episode of "The New Economic Developers on the Block." Hosts Elizabeth Underwood and Trey Cash sit down with Melissa Smith, Vice President of Business Recruitment and Development at the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

Explore Melissa's impactful work supporting North Carolina's economic growth with their team. Learn about Melissa's mentors and the valuable lessons that have shaped her career in economic development.

Brought to you by the North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA). Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your journey, join us for...

Welcome to another riveting episode of "The New Economic Developers on the Block." In this installment, hosts Elizabeth Underwood and Trey Cash engage in a captivating conversation with the distinguished Dr. Patricia Mitchell, CEcD, Chair of the NCEDA Foundation.

Dive into the rich tapestry of Dr. Mitchell's illustrious career, as she takes us on a journey from her roles in local and state government to her current position as the Chair of the NCEDA Foundation. Uncover the intricacies of her tenure as the Assistant Secretary for Rural Development at the NC Department of Commerce, where she expertly...

In this new episode of "The New Economic Developers on the Block," hosts Elizabeth Underwood and Trey Cash sit down with Phillip Thompson, Project Manager at Chatham County Economic Development Corporation. Get ready to embark on a fascinating journey as Phillip shares his transition from the world of insurance to economic development.

Phillip recounts a life-changing meeting that set the stage for his career in economic development. We discuss the Carolina Core and discover the driving forces behind his unwavering commitment to fostering economic growth in Chatham County.

But it's not all business in this...

Welcome to a new episode of "The New Economic Developers on the Block". This edition hosts Elizabeth Underwood and Trey Cash sit down with Marvin Price, the recently crowned NCEDA Economic Developer of the Year from the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce.

Join us as Marvin shares his remarkable journey into economic development, offering a unique perspective on the field. From his early days to the pivotal moments that led to his well-deserved recognition, Marvin provides valuable insights that promise to inspire emerging economic developers.

In this episode, Marvin delves into the collaborative efforts of working...