ICF has its international awards program for which it is famous. But that does it take to become one of America’s ”Most Dynamic Metro Areas?” and where are they located? Heartland Forward’s Chief Reseach Officer discusses the results of the ”think and do tank’s” long-awaited report and drops facts behind the reason that, despite the fact it has 39% of the national population, this vast American expanse of talent, resources and states, from North Dakota to Texas, only attracted 10% of investment - until recently. But things are changing, as Lou learns in part 2 of his conversation with Dave Shideler. David Shideler serves as the chief research officer for Heartland Forward’s research team which includes visiting senior fellows Richard Florida and Maryann Feldman. With a mission to help improve the economic performance in the heartland and change the narrative of the middle of the country, the original research efforts focus on four key pillars: innovation and entrepreneurship, human capital, health and wellness and regional competitiveness. Shideler joined Heartland Forward after more than a decade at Oklahoma State University, serving as a professor and Community and Economic Development Specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics. In these roles, he oversaw projects in community and rural development and small business development, and published peer-reviewed research articles on the economic impacts of internet access, incentive programs, and local food production. Shideler holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics and an M.A. in Economics from the Ohio State University, an M.S. in Agricultural Economics from the Pennsylvania State University, and a B.S. in Community and Rural Development from Clemson University.
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28:06
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28:06
Dynamic Metros Rule
ICF has its international awards program for which it is famous. But that does it take to become one of America’s ”Most Dynamic Metro Areas?” and where are they located? Heartland Forward’s Chief Reseach Officer discusses the results of the ”think and do tank’s” long-awaited report and drops facts behind the reason that, despite the fact it has 39% of the national population, this vast American expanse of talent, resources and states, from North Dakota to Texas, only attracted 10% of investment - until recently. But things are changing, as Lou learns. David Shideler serves as the chief research officer for Heartland Forward’s research team which includes visiting senior fellows Richard Florida and Maryann Feldman. With a mission to help improve the economic performance in the heartland and change the narrative of the middle of the country, the original research efforts focus on four key pillars: innovation and entrepreneurship, human capital, health and wellness and regional competitiveness. Shideler joined Heartland Forward after more than a decade at Oklahoma State University, serving as a professor and Community and Economic Development Specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics. In these roles, he oversaw projects in community and rural development and small business development, and published peer-reviewed research articles on the economic impacts of internet access, incentive programs, and local food production. Shideler holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics and an M.A. in Economics from the Ohio State University, an M.S. in Agricultural Economics from the Pennsylvania State University, and a B.S. in Community and Rural Development from Clemson University.
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28:40
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28:40
Discussing Smart21 Community Brightlands-Limburg, Netherlands with Mr. Stephan Satijn
ICF's Lou Zacharilla speaks with Mr. Stephan Satijn, Regional Minister for Economy, Finance & Business Operations, Province of Limburg, in this sit-down interview discussing the Brightlands-Limburg Region, a Smart21 Community of 2025. Perhaps best known as the place where the Maastricht Treaty was signed to establish the European Union, the Brightlands-Limburg Region has undergone a decade of growth and transformation. Through a concentrated effort to leverage existing industries and a strong university presence, the Region has developed an "ecosystem of ecosystems" focused around four campuses spread throughout the province: Brightlands Chemelot Campus, focused on materials, circularity, and sustainable chemistry. Brightlands Maastricht Health Campus, specializing in health. Brightlands Smart Services Campus, concentrating on data science and AI. Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo, dedicated to food, nutrition, and the bio-based economy. The future looks "bright" for Brightlands-Limburg as well, as the Region is in heavy pursuit of the Einstein Telescope Project - a topic that Mr. Satijn and Lou discuss at length in this discussion.
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34:29
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34:29
Two-time Top7 Community, Part 2
Fast Company Magazine shocked a lot of people when it published its list of the most Innovative Companies for Economic Development and – whoa! – a city appeared. An Intelligent Community in the USA state of Ohio: Hilliard. The ICF network knows Hilliard as one of the leading cities and a two-time Top7 community. But this was a big-time recognition. How much of it had to do with being an Intelligent Community? The City Manager, Michelle Crandall tells us in this podcast. Michelle currently serves as the City Manager for the City of Hilliard, Ohio, USA (population 38,000). She began this position in January 2020 as Hilliard’s first ever City Manager, following a charter change in the City’s form of government. Previously Michelle was with the City of Dublin, Ohio for more than 25 years in a variety of roles, including Assistant City Manager, Deputy City Manager and Director of Administrative Services. Michelle serves as vice-chair for the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), chair of Broadband Access Ohio (BAO), and immediate past chair of the Central Ohio Mayors & Managers Association (COMMA). She previously served on the International City and County Management Association (ICMA) Executive Board as a Vice-President representing the Midwest region, and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Alliance for Innovation. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Wittenberg University and a Master of Public Administration from The Ohio State University. Additionally, she attended the University of Virginia, Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service Executive Leadership Development Program (LEAD) and the American University Washington Semester Program. Under Michelle’s leadership, the City of Hilliard was named by Fast Company in 2025 as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in the category of Economic Development. In both 2023 and 2024, the City of Hilliard was named a Top7 Intelligent Community by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) and was named the Best Suburb to Do Business by Columbus CEO. In 2023, Michelle was named among Columbus Business First’s inaugural class of “Women of Influence”, being honored as a “Trailblazer”. Additionally, in 2018 Michelle was the recipient of a Richard Childs Fellowship through the Kettering Foundation in partnership with the National Civic League and a recipient of a Japan Local Government Center CLAIR Fellowship.
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25:35
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25:35
Two-time Top7 Community, Part 1
Fast Company Magazine shocked a lot of people when it published its list of the most Innovative Companies for Economic Development and – whoa! – a city appeared. An Intelligent Community in the USA state of Ohio: Hilliard. The ICF network knows Hilliard as one of the leading cities and a two-time Top7 community. But this was a big-time recognition. How much of it had to do with being an Intelligent Community? The City Manager, Michelle Crandall tells us in this podcast.
In the official podcast from the Intelligent Community Forum, we speak with the movers and shakers in the intelligent community movement around the world. Hear how communities are embracing the 21st century for economic prosperity, enriching their cultures, and improving the quality of lives of their citizens.
South Africa