DT #545 Empowering Rural America: The Golden Shovel Approach

Mar 12, 2025

Summary

In this episode of the Develop This Podcast, Dennis Fraise speaks with Bethany Quinn, president of Golden Shovel Agency, about the importance of economic development in rural America. They discuss the agency's mission, the launch of the Rural America campaign, and key findings from a recent white paper on marketing strategies for rural communities. Bethany emphasizes the need for effective marketing strategies, social media's role, and storytelling's importance in economic development. They also touch on the significance of adequate funding and introduce the new Impact Local website product designed for rural communities.

Takeaways

• Golden Shovel Agency supports economic development in rural areas.
• The Rural America campaign aims to provide affordable solutions for small communities.
• Many economic development organizations lack a cohesive marketing strategy.
• A robust website is essential for effective marketing efforts.
• Social media consistency is crucial for community engagement.
• Economic development is evolving to include community development aspects.
• Measuring marketing success goes beyond website traffic.
• Adequate funding is vital for long-term marketing strategies.
• The Impact Local product offers affordable website solutions for rural communities.
• Storytelling is key to conveying a community's unique value proposition.