About this episode

Dane Carlson discusses the implications of Austin's tech growth with Jon Roberts, focusing on equity and community impact.

In this episode Dane Carlson talks with Jon Roberts of TIP Strategies about his new book, The Cost of Cool: Austin's Tech Growth and the People Left Behind, and what Austin’s rise can teach economic developers everywhere. They discuss how Austin became a tech and talent magnet, why that growth created real pressure around equity, housing, and displacement, and whether tech growth inevitably widens community divides. Jon also explains why entrepreneurial ecosystems need more than enthusiasm, why universities and major companies matter, how communities like Green Bay and Racine County, Wisconsin are building on their own assets, and why economic developers need to think about AI, quantum computing, bioengineering, and the next wave of technology without forgetting the people who may be left behind. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Treat equity as a front-end strategy, not a cleanup project. If tech growth is coming, plan for housing, displacement, affordability, and access before the growth accelerates. Be honest about the tradeoffs of tech growth. Jon argues that more tech investment has…

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