Hosts of America's #1 economic development podcast to keynote Corridor Business Recognition Luncheon

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) is happy to announce Dennis Fraise and Jason Hutcheson, hosts of the #1 iTunes economic development podcast Develop This!, as this year’s Business Recognition Luncheon keynote speakers.

The Develop This! podcast explores topics related to transformational community leadership in candid conversations with veterans of the economic development profession and inspiring interviews with other thought leaders.

Co-host Dennis Fraise – As President and CEO of the Lee County Economic Development Group, Dennis benefits from an eclectic professional background that includes owning a small business that generated more than $3 million in sales. He is a national award-winning marketing professional, public speaker and facilitator, holds the Certified Economic Developer designation from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), and was recently named by Governor Kim Reynolds as a task force member of the Empower Rural Iowa initiative. His speaking engagements include the 2017, 2018, and 2019 IEDC Conferences. In 2019, Dennis was named one of America’s top 50 economic developers by Consultant Connect.

Co-host Jason Hutcheson – Jason has experience in the economic development industry that includes work with two different organizations in Southeast Iowa, most recently as the President & CEO of the Greater Burlington Partnership. During his tenure at the Partnership, Jason played a key role in securing over $300 million in private capital investment and facilitating job creation projects totaling nearly 2,000 jobs. Hutcheson was named a 40 Under 40 recipient for rising stars in economic development by DCI Group in 2019. He has served as President of both the Professional Developers of Iowa and the Iowa Chamber Alliance and currently serves on the board of directors for the Tri-State Development Summit.

“As the hosts of the nation’s #1 podcast by and for economic development professionals, Jason and Dennis have talked to some of the most successful economic development professionals across the country,” says Corridor President and CEO Kiley Miller. “They have a deep understanding of the innovative ways that communities are creating growth through business recruitment, retention, entrepreneurship and workforce development.”

The Business Recognition Luncheon will be held at the Clay County Regional Events Center on November 13 from 11:30-1:30. To RSVP, please contact Alyssa Petersen at 712-264-3474 by Friday, November 1.

# # #

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is the regional economic development agency for Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet counties. Its mission is to foster, encourage, aid, promote or otherwise assist in the economic growth and development of the region. For more information about the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation, call 712-264-3474 or visit  www.lakescorridor.com.