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Economic Development in a Microwave Popcorn Society
Someone recently used the phrase “microwave popcorn society” in a conversation. I admitted I had never heard it before, but I immediately understood what it meant. It really got me thinking about the work Shawnee Forward does every day and how it contrasts with the pace our culture expects. We live in a world that wants quick results, instant updates, and immediate change. Pop. Pop. Pop. Just like the first kernels in a bag of microwave popcorn.
Economic development, however, looks more like the beginning of that same bag. At first there is one slow pop, then a pause, then another. Projects often begin with a single conversation or early idea. Companies take time to evaluate workforce, infrastructure, real estate, and long-term stability before making decisions. The process is deliberate, and it should be.
The same is true for workforce development and quality of life initiatives. Building strong talent pipelines, improving childcare access, and strengthening the amenities that make Shawnee a great place to live all take time. The progress can feel slow at first, but each small step builds momentum.
In a microwave popcorn society, we often expect the rapid popping stage right away. Economic development rarely works that way. Most of the important work happens long before the announcements, during the quiet stage when the heat is steady and the pops are still spaced apart.
Thank you to everyone who takes the time to stop and have meaningful conversations with me. I appreciate the opportunity to learn from you, hear new ideas, and gain new perspectives along the way.
-Crystal
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