Lucia Cape, Senior Vice President of Economic Development and Workforce for the Huntsville Madison County Chamber, joins host Kaycee Bunch to discuss her nearly 20-year journey from workforce leadership into overseeing business recruitment and retention across Huntsville and Madison County. In this episode, Lucia shares how Huntsville’s “Smart Place” talent campaign, data-driven third-party analysis, and systems mapping approach have supported rapid growth and diversification across industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, and pharmaceutical manufacturing—including the recent announcement of an Eli Lilly facility. She explains how Huntsville connects workforce development from early childhood through retiree engagement, why emotional intelligence and adaptability are increasingly critical alongside STEM skills, and how quality-of-life investments—like outdoor recreation, arts, downtown livability, dog parks, and food trucks—help attract and retain talent. Lucia also emphasizes community partnership, continuous improvement, measuring the broader impact of economic development wins, and leadership lessons focused on building a community that future generations want to return to.

In this episode, we explore:

• The “Smart Place” strategy and how Huntsville uses data and third-party analysis to support growth and talent attraction.
• Why systems thinking and workforce mapping help prioritize long-term education and talent pipeline investments.
• How quality-of-life and cultural vibrancy have become essential tools for recruiting and retaining talent.

Quotable:

“   If everyone in the community approaches it as, ‘we're all in this together’, economic development is not an individual sport.”>

Resources and Links
Connect with Lucia Cape
Home Page - ASmartPlace
Welcome - Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
ACCE | Home

Special Guest: Lucia Cape.

In this episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development podcast, Kaycee interviews Amalia Cunningham, AICP, owner and principal of Amalia Cunningham Consulting. They discuss Amalia's extensive experience in economic development, spanning over 20 years in local government before starting her own consulting practice. The conversation covers key topics, including the integration of planning and economic development, effective resource allocation, and the challenges and solutions for developers and local government staff in fostering community growth. Key insights include the importance of understanding local regulations, the impact of organizational structure on economic development outcomes, and the need for collaboration among stakeholders.

In this episode, we explore:

• The transition from public-sector leadership to private consulting. Amalia explains the key differences between working inside local government and advising from the outside, and how her background enables her to bridge gaps among policy, planning, and implementation.
• Practical guidance for developers and local stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of understanding municipal processes, zoning, and regulatory frameworks.
• Organizational structures (restructures) and their impact on effectiveness. Amalia explains when restructuring economic development departments makes sense, what local governments should consider during the process, and how structure can either enable or hinder results.

Quotable: “ No matter what side of the table you're sitting on, if you're an economic developer, if you're the private sector trying to do a project, I always try to approach my work and my practice assuming the best intentions from everyone else involved.”

Resources and Links
Connect with Amalia Cunningham on LinkedIn
Amalia Cunningham Consulting
News and Views American Planning Association, "Where Should Economic Development Live?"

Special Guest: Amalia Cunningham, AICP.

In this Season 3 kick-off episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development podcast, Janet Carlson, CEO and Creative Director of the One Eleven Group. Janet discusses her career journey, the strategic move from New York to Cornwall, Connecticut, and her extensive community involvement in Cornwall. She sheds light on how the remote work revolution has impacted local economies and offers advice on maintaining a healthy work-life balance while leading a business. Janet also delves into the unique challenges and benefits of marketing a small town, and the importance of setting boundaries in public service roles.

In this episode, we explore:

• Community marketing and branding insights, focusing on campaign strategies and the results they achieved.
• Why embracing flexibility in the workplace has become essential.
• Insights on leadership and public service.

Quotable: “  You can't control what people think about you. All you can control is your reaction. There are people who will love you. There are people who do not. Their business, not yours.”

Resources and Links
Connect with Janet Carlson on LinkedIn
One Eleven Group | It starts with a plan.
Town of Cornwall, Connecticut

Special Guest: Janet Carlson.