Calhoun County Economic Development (CCED) have caught the attention of influencers in greater Iowa!

All of the good things happening at Calhoun County Economic Development (CCED) have caught the attention of influencers in greater Iowa.

Theresa Hildreth was recently interviewed on The Spin Markket Report, a podcast produced by Spin Markket + Digital out of Fort Dodge. Hildreth serves as the Executive Director/Board President of CCED.

During the podcast, titled “Leading Calhoun County Forward: Economic Growth & Leadership,” Hildreth touched on many topics. She shared how she started working with CCED, the objectives the organization works to achieve, the challenges facing CCED, and most importantly, the need for economic growth.

At the podcast’s 30-minute mark, Hildreth shared some encouraging words for locals who have since moved away. “Grow here — that’s the start. Come back. Grow your family here. You grew up here, so come back here. Bring your kids; they’re closer to grandma and grandpa. You know the church. You know the school. Just come back here and grow here.”

When reflecting on appearing on the podcast, Hildreth stated, “Talking about Calhoun County and the exciting momentum we’re building is something that comes naturally to me — and I’ll take every opportunity to do just that. While this was my first podcast experience, it felt like a natural fit after years of participating in radio interviews once I forgot the camera was also rolling.”

While it takes just under an hour to watch, the effects of the podcast will be long lasting. “What I especially appreciate are the social media clips created from the podcast episode. As Calhoun County Economic Development works to enhance our social media presence, this format helps us share powerful snapshots of the stories and successes unfolding in our communities,” said Hildreth.

Being interviewed also sparked an idea. “What if we launched our own Calhoun County podcast? A place to highlight local business owners, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and Leadership Calhoun participants,” she said.

Leadership Calhoun is a new local issue-awareness and leadership development program organized by CCED. The first cohort will begin meeting in October 2025. Leadership Calhoun members were selected via application process, which was open May 1 through June 15 of this year.

Hildreth added, “There are so many incredible stories here — stories worth telling and celebrating. Podcasts are an increasingly popular platform, and as we market Calhoun County to new audiences, we must lean into modern, trend-forward channels. With the inaugural year of Leadership Calhoun launching this fall, we’re not just growing leaders — we’re writing a new chapter in our county’s story. I look forward to using platforms like this one to amplify the voices of those making a difference right here in the heart of Iowa.”

The podcast can be viewed at youtube.com/@SpinMarkketReport.