Golden Shovel Keeps You Informed

VR Tours are popular because they’re effective. In fact, they’ve become such a common factor in decision-making that a lot of economic development organizations consider them a “must-have” component in their marketing arsenal. After all, everyone starts by doing research online before they pick up the phone. A compelling V...Continue Reading

Website to Reach and Engage Site Selectors and Business Owners Looking to Relocate and Grow LA GRANDE, OR -- La Grande Economic Development recently launched a newly designed website, in collaboration with Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative, and created by Golden Shovel Agency, to further strengthen its online presence and economic growt...Continue Reading

You should be optimizing your video on social media because you already invested in quality video. You know it’s the most effective medium for telling your story. Not only is it compelling, it’s also an easy experience for your audience to engage with. Now it’s time to optimize video t...Continue Reading

Economic development strategic planning is on the minds of most economic developers. Every community will be facing a need to rebuild its local economy as we begin to emerge from the pandemic in 2022. But even in the best of times, only three things can happen to any economy: I...Continue Reading

We present to you the Best Economic Development Websites for 2022. Each year, backed by research, conferences, and the latest trends, the Golden Shovel Agency team puts together a list of what we consider to be the best economic development websites. This is always difficult, as there are many deservin...Continue Reading

We present to you the Best Economic Development Videos for 2022. Each year, backed by research, trends, and videography expertise, the Golden Shovel Agency team puts together a list of what we consider to be the most impactful economic development videos. Best Economic Development Videos for 2022 Take some time to appreciat...Continue Reading

We present to you the Best Economic Development Resources for 2022. Each year, backed by research, conferences, and the latest trends, the Golden Shovel Agency team puts together a list of what we consider to be the best economic development resources. Best Economic Development Resources Take some time to appreciate these bes...Continue Reading

The Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation (EDC) both play an important role in a community, but, what's the difference between the two? This is a question that is frequently asked by businesses in the community as they try to divide where to invest their membership dollars and ho...Continue Reading

The long-term effectiveness of your economic development strategy that impresses the board depends on your stakeholders. Fostering public ownership and enthusiasm starts with your board. Communicating well with them is the key to getting the best strategic support, fresh thinking, and leadership they can offer.  Developing an Economic Development Strategy tha...Continue Reading

Website to Engage Community Members, Business Owners, and Site Selectors LONG PRAIRIE, MN -- Todd County Development Corporation recently launched a redesigned website, created by Golden Shovel Agency, to further strengthen its online presence and economic growth for the region. The website is user-friendly, easy to navigate, and serves as ...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on Rural Minnesota CEP and was written for Rural Minnesota CEP by Golden Shovel Agency. As a Career Advisor and Youth Service Coordinator with CareerForce Moorhead, Deb Grant helps youth learn about job possibilities as they exit their high school years. One key to that process, Gran...Continue Reading

Creating quality videos and learning to repurpose videos is more than a valuable marketing tool. It’s a multi-faceted asset that, when used wisely, can work like any other good investment, paying you back with interest for years to come. There are so many ways to reach a wider audience b...Continue Reading

Website to Engage Community Members, Business Owners, and Site Selectors EAGLE PASS, TX -- Eagle Pass Economic Development recently launched a powerful website, created by Golden Shovel Agency, to further strengthen its online presence and economic growth for the region. The website serves as a one-stop shop for all things relate...Continue Reading

Though the past two years taught all of us to pivot, long-term economic viability requires more than being nimble, which you should keep in mind when planning your 2022 economic development strategy. If there is one thing we all have learned, it’s that we can no longer build a futur...Continue Reading

Economic developers should make their community metaverse-ready for 2022 to get the attention of entrepreneurs, workers, and next-generation business owners.  We’re going to bring you all the way back to 1991 when Geoffrey A. Moore wrote the book Crossing the Chasm which was about mainstream consumers adopting new technologies. One o...Continue Reading

Wondering what types of virtual tours will increase your outreach exponentially? Offering a compelling location tour that doesn’t require travel.  Site selection is a process of elimination, and VR is the most effective way to showcase your location convincingly and stay on top of site selectors’ lists. Not only doe...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on Montgomery County Action Council and was written for Montgomery County Action Council by Golden Shovel Agency. If there was a perfect business for Coffeyville, Kansas, it would be, well, coffee. As Matthew Frech considered opening a coffee shop in the town, he was thinking in ...Continue Reading

360-Degree VR Videos to Engage Local Businesses, Workforce, and Students  SHELBYVILLE, KY -- Shelby County Industrial & Development Foundation (SCIDF) has found a way to keep moving forward with economic development progress despite the COVID-19 pandemic with PlaceVR technology. The organization just released a series of 360-degree VR videos that enable...Continue Reading

EVERETT, WA -- Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) launches a powerful website, created by EASC Investor, Golden Shovel Agency, to further strengthen its online presence and economic growth for the region. The website is visually pleasing, easy to navigate, and has unique features such as the ability to create custo...Continue Reading

YORK, NE -- York County Development Corporation (YCDC) launched a powerful redesigned website, created by Golden Shovel Agency, to further strengthen its online presence and economic growth for the region. The website is very clean, easy to navigate, and incorporates new blue colors that help the “York red” pop. “Our mai...Continue Reading

Economic development strategic plans tend to look great at a glance, but on closer inspection, they’re only a framework. When two strategies are equal, the difference in the degree of their success usually lies in the tactics. Marketing Tactics to Include in an Economic Development Strategic Plan If possible, all of you...Continue Reading

EAU CLAIRE, WI -- Momentum West launched a newly designed website to further strengthen its online presence and economic growth for the region. The website is easily navigable and utilizes videos both on the homepage and in a business and talent attraction series. “Our greatest priority was to take the complexit...Continue Reading

This article was originally appeared on Ramsey County and was written for Ramsey County by Golden Shovel Agency. Offer the term “manufacturing” to a jobseeker and their perception may be one of a dark, dirty work environment and a monotonous experience. But the reality is today’s manufacturing careers are exciting and dependen...Continue Reading

Have you considered VR as a marketing tactic? If not, perhaps it’s time you did. It’s hard to overstate the power and potential of this exciting technology. Effective marketers have made storytelling a priority for years. VR amplifies the impact of a story by making it an immersive experience. Here ar...Continue Reading