EDO Breakthrough

E05 – Networking and Building Relationships in Economic Development, with Ebonie Atkins

Sandy Dubay, CEcD Season 1 Episode 5

Ebonie Atkins, Managing Director of Henrico Economic Development Authority, shares tips for networking and creating relationships. We also discuss business retention tactics, regionalism, partnerships, and teaching economic geography.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tips for creating relationships in a people-focused industry 
  • How to work with local partners for business retention efforts
  • Balancing data and storytelling in economic development

About the Guest:

Ebonie Atkins is the Managing Director for the Henrico Economic Development Authority in Henrico, Virginia. Prior to the EDA, she served as the Business Investment Manager for VEDP where she worked directly with tech companies to support their relocation and expansion in Virginia. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/ebonieatkins) or contact her at ebonie@henrico.com

Resources Mentioned:

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.