Economic Development

Survey of Rural Challenges with Deb Brown & Becky McCray

When we saw the press release come through last week the headline pointed to the fact that far too often the media covering rural communities fail to report on what rural folks say are the true challenges they face. And, it's not just opinion. For years Becky McCray and Deb Brown from SaveYour.Town have collected surveys from rural residents and what these folks say are issues often does not match what is being reported. It's a great conversation and it's right here.  One more thing, if you want to know more about population and what makes a place a "micropolitan" or "nanopolitan" community here is that link. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equity with Doug Minter

Here is a conversation with Doug Minter that I had back in 2018 during a meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. At the time Doug was the Director of Small Business Development for the Knoxville, Tennessee Chamber. Since 2005 Doug has also owned the Minter Consulting Group and today is working with the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce based in Toronto. What he has to say about diversity, inclusion and equity is as important today as it was when we sat down for this conversation. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

EntreFEST 2021 with Jill and Jourdan

Coming up in June is EntreFEST 2021 a multi day event held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that focusses on building understanding, community and providing resources for entrepreneurs from across the county. Here Jill Wilkins, COO for NEWBOco and Jourdan McChesney the EntreFEST Event Coordinator visit with me about what it is, who should go, how to get there and if you want to do the event virtually you can join from wherever you are on the planet.  And, if you sign up feel free to use the Promo Code LIBBIE to get 20% off your registration fee.  Nice....
Thanks for listening! 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

The Business News Headlines 7 April 2021

Mid-Week and thanks for being here. Today was one of those odd days on Wall Street and we'll share details plus for the interview a massive transformation of a shopping mall in Des Moines, Iowa caught our attention.  But first, the news:
Stop working and go for a walk...no, really;
Amazon does not want to talk about this;
The My Pillow guy is getting hit again;
He said "tax breaks have got to go". Stunning;
T-Mobile has a new promotion and it's big;
Janet Yellen and more tax news;
The Wall Street Report;
It seems Ketchup just can't...catch up.
Plus for the interview the stunning story about how one mall owner is totally transforming one of her properties. Our guest is Liz Holland the CEO of Merle Hay Investors. She'll share a story about the difference between shopping centers in Europe and the U.S. as well as the retail reality that has brought down so many malls. Then we'll get into the amazing transformation of a property in Des Moines, Iowa.  It is...groundbreaking. To listen to that conversation, click here. 

Transforming A Shopping Mall & What A Story!

If you've spent any time listening to our daily newscast you know that we've reported many times about the hollowing out of our nation's shopping malls. As ecommerce shook the bones of retail we watched as department stores, often shopping mall anchors, entering bankruptcy and leaving gaping holes. Then COVID19 came and, for many, finished the job. Some malls have sold out to Amazon to be used as fulfillment centers. Other mall owners are working new tenet arrangements hoping to salvage their business. Some mall owners are totally reimagining their centers and changing everything. Meet Liz Holland the CEO of Merle Hay Investors and the remarkable story behind their goal to totally restructure their business. It's a stunning departure and, perhaps, one of the first in the nation as the Merle Hay Mall becomes..."Hockey Town".
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.
 

Stand Up Rural America with Lorie Vincent

What does Rural America want...and need?  Meet Lorie Vincent the principal at Acceleration by Design based in Austin, Texas. Here we talk about the second Stand Up Rural America which will take place April 27 - 29 in Charleston, West Virginia. So, what is it? Why does it matter? Who will learn and why it's important that you show up and steal as many ideas as possible. Registration is going on right now. Meet Lorie Vincent: 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

The Business News Headlines 25 March 2021

It's a busy business news day but we start off today with a special note from FEMA and while it's not business it may be helpful for those of you listening. Here's what we've got today:
FEMA to help pay for burial costs;
No, that vaccine was meant for...
127 Million Households a big number;
Savings and getting a better bank deal;
Not another toilet paper shortage;
Good news from the unemployment line;
The Wall Street Report;
Getting high in New York State.
For the interview it's Desmund Adams with us from Focus and Find in the closing days of National Women's Month. Here is the question: As women make up the majority of Americans why are they not better represented in board rooms and c-suites?  And, what if we told you that if that happened businesses could drive better profits?  Click here to listen! 
 

The Business News Headlines 17 March 2021

Yesterday we reported that it was likely the IRS would push back the federal filing date from April 15...and today that happened.  Welcome to the business news headlines for Wednesday the 17th of March...St. Patrick's Day.  Here's what we've got:
The IRS change for filing taxes;
The Fed will not alter their interest rate;
If you share custody can you "double dip"?
Stimulus money still flowing to the wrong bank;
Will "free money" create a new welfare culture;
The Wall Street Report;
People are not flocking back to workout.
For the interview it's Dr. Chris Draper, entrepreneur and author of the book "Velocity Economics - The Real American Economy". We'll spend some time talking about what that idea has in common with the American Rescue Plan and what may be the overall benefit healing a host of issues. To hear that conversation, that's really enlightening, click here. 

The Paycheck Protection Program - Rule Changes for Small Businesses

This week President Biden announced some significant rule changes for the Paycheck Protection Program or PPP. In the past many small and micro-businesses were left out so, to get money into the hands of businesses with fewer than 20 employees and to target minority owned businesses the rules from the Small Business Administration have changed. But, the window is only open until March 10. With me is June Teasley a Regional Communications Director for the SBA who explains, in detail, the many rule changes and how to best apply. 
Thanks for listening! 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Cities and Towns Reimagine and Grow Opportunity: Meet Julia McGuire

We've reported, for years, about the struggle some towns and cities are having in their effort to either stem an outward migration or create a community where there are new possibilities for growth.  Here Julia McGuire from 1,000 Friends of Iowa offers up a look at the Best Development Award winners who are being recognized for their efforts. It's a wide swath of projects and a good story.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.