New Book in Progress:
Blog
November 18, 2025
Kids, Character, and Workforce Economics
There is no better workforce investment than my wife. My wife is a counselor at a small, rural, Title I elementary school in South Carolina. How much money is being spent to address the soft-skills crisis in the US right now? How many billions of dollars? How many employers report that workers struggle with communication, teamwork, adaptability, conflict management, and self-regulation? Working with adults is triage. We must invest in the future of our workforce.
June 16, 2025
Individual Economic Health
Economic Developers have traditionally focused on business recruitment and real estate development. Now we find ourselves in workforce development, skills training, soft-skills, even transportation and childcare. We need a new perspective on what it means to serve a community in Economic Development.
May 9, 2024
Shift: Pending U.S. Economic Crisis
More people are getting poorer over time. We must evolve our understanding of the economy so that we can see the pending crisis that lurks underneath. Only then can we design the changes that will avoid calamity and create a better future for all.
May 23, 2022
The Agriconomy as an Economic Development Strategy for York County, South Carolina
York County should invest significantly in developing the “Agriconomy” (as I call it) – agri-business, agri-tourism, agri-lifestyle, etc. – in the western part of the county.
Updates
Jason Broadwater, Keynote Speaker for Winter WEDA 2025
Jason Broadwater to be Keynote Speaker for Winter WEDA 25 in Washington State The Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA) invites leaders from all over the state of Washington to come to a legislative reception at the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia and attend an annual economic development conference on the challenges and opportunities facing the state….
Podcast
OTNW – Community Care and Compassion with Gordon Bell
We talked with Gordon Bell, president of HOPE of Rock Hill, about how the organization supports local families through food distribution, emergency aid, and compassionate care.
OTNW – Navigating Change in York County with Watts Huckabee
We sat down with York County District 6 Councilmember Watts Huckabee to explore the area’s rapid growth and what it takes to guide it responsibly.
OTNW – Putting People First in Politics with Heath Sessions
We talk with South Carolina Representative and Pints and Politics host Heath Sessions for a wide-ranging conversation about small-town living, state government, and the future of healthcare.
OTNW – Driving Rock Hill’s Growth with Rick Norwood
We sat down with Rick Norwood, the City of Rock Hill’s Director of Industrial Recruitment, to discuss how he and the city work to attract and sustain industrial and manufacturing investment.
OTNW – Climate Change Action with Clarence Edwards
We talk to Clarence Edwards, U.S. Executive Director of E3G, about global climate strategy and building international consensus for climate action.
OTNW – GASP
Recently, before performing alongside MOA and Mandako, all members of the band GASP sat down with us to talk about making music. Listen to our conversation here.