The Main Thing:

Count your Riches

What does it mean to live a rich life? Is it money? Fancy cars and houses on both coasts? For some, yes, this would constitute a rich life, but for others, they seek something more.

In this week's post, I riffed on some content from a newsletter I recently read. The newsletter offers ten invaluable tips for navigating new beginnings, a topic close to our hearts, the alums of the Modern Elder Academy. This program, which I'm proud to be a part of, teaches us that life is a journey that continues well beyond 65.

This year, I will turn 64, but I still feel and act sometimes like I am in my 20s' or 30s,' much to the chagrin of my children, family, and friends. I, on the other hand, love my feeling of youthfulness and mirth.

Explore what a transition should involve. Whether you're a seasoned warrior or a young adventurer, this article is designed to benefit you. It also provides links to further reading.

​Read more here.​

Your Questions are Being Answered!

The wise elders are taking time off to prepare for their Super Bowl Party this week. They are mostly arguing over whether the mini hot dogs should be wrapped in crescent roll pastry or swam in a sugary BBQ sauce. We will let you know next week.

They are also preparing answers to several questions and may have one ready for next week.

In the meantime, please don't hesitate to jot down the one you've been pondering over the last few days or weeks. The Wise Elders have all the answers, or so they say.

You can submit your question here.

Focus on Economic Development

Is there a Limit to Data?

​Developers plan to build Kentucky’s first ‘hyperscale’ data center in Louisville by By Liam Niemeyer, Kentucky Lantern | Route Fifty

Louisville is poised to enter the high-stakes world of hyperscale data centers. Virginia-based PowerHouse Data Centers is announcing plans for a facility that would consume as much electricity as a power plant. This groundbreaking development, supported by recent state legislation, promises to position Kentucky as an emerging player in the data infrastructure landscape while raising important questions about energy consumption and environmental impact.

The project, expected to begin operations in 2026, represents a significant shift in Kentucky's economic development strategy. It marks the state's first major entry into the competitive world of large-scale data infrastructure, which powers everything from cloud storage to artificial intelligence operations.

Why This Matters: For economic development professionals, this project exemplifies how policy changes, utility partnerships, and strategic infrastructure investments can attract transformative technology investments. The intersection of tax incentives, utility capacity, and site readiness demonstrates the complex interplay of factors needed to compete for major data center projects. Understanding these dynamics is crucial as regions increasingly compete for digital infrastructure investments that promise both economic benefits and resource management challenges.

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​Delivering the Goods

​Amazon last-mile delivery facility coming to Ottawa, creating 100-plus jobs, spanning 50,800 square feet by Derek Barichello and Charlie Ellerbrock | Shaw Local News Illinois Valley

In a strategic economic win for Ottawa, Illinois, Amazon has chosen the city's Industrial Park as the location for its new 50,800-square-foot last-mile delivery facility. The development, which broke ground recently, represents more than just another warehouse - it showcases how smaller cities can successfully attract major logistics operations without offering traditional incentives. What makes this project particularly interesting is the city's ability to secure the deal through strategic marketing and site readiness rather than tax incentives or enterprise zone credits.

Why This Matters -- For economic development professionals, this case study demonstrates the evolving nature of business attraction strategies. It highlights how effective marketing of available sites, combined with strong infrastructure and strategic location, can sometimes outweigh traditional incentive packages in securing major projects. The project also illustrates the importance of understanding and accommodating a company's operational needs - in this case, Amazon's specific delivery schedules and traffic patterns - when planning industrial development.

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Fly the Friendly Skies with Corn​
​Moorhead lands $5B sustainable jet fuel plant and its 650 jobs by Dan Niepow | Twin Cities Business

A $5 billion sustainable aviation fuel facility is set to transform Moorhead, Minnesota into a key player in the future of green aviation. DG Fuels' ambitious project promises to produce enough low-carbon fuel to power half of MSP Airport's annual needs, marking Minnesota's emergence as a potential leader in sustainable transportation fuel production. The project represents a convergence of agricultural resources, state incentives, and strategic economic development initiatives that could reshape the region's industrial landscape.

Why This Matters -- For economic development professionals, this project illustrates how states can strategically position themselves in emerging industries through targeted incentives and policy frameworks. The combination of state tax credits, workforce development opportunities, and agricultural supply chain integration demonstrates the comprehensive approach needed to attract next-generation manufacturing facilities. It also showcases how regional partnerships and long-term economic planning can help communities compete for transformative projects in emerging sustainable industries.

Bridge Builders -- The Next Wave Leadership Mentoring Program has a New and Exciting Opportunity.

Are you ready to be part of something transformative in economic development? Whether you're a seasoned leader with decades of wisdom or a rising star with fresh perspectives, Bridge Builders is your opportunity to shape the future of our field.

This innovative 9-month program pairs industry veterans with emerging leaders to create a robust exchange of knowledge, technology, and experience. Together, we'll tackle modern challenges while preserving timeless wisdom.

What makes Bridge Builders unique?

• Two-way mentorship pairing experienced with newer professionals
• Real-world problem solving
• Technology and tradition fusion
• Leadership development across generations

Limited spots available for our inaugural cohort. If you are interested, please go here to express you interest and place yourself on the waiting list.

Other Articles of Interest this week:

Green Economy -- Hearts, heads and grains of truth: Making the business case for sustainability stick by Sally Uren | Trellis -- To fight common critiques of sustainability, leaders can acknowledge stumbles, and appeal to both hearts and minds.

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Leadership-- Five Hybrid Work Trends to Watch in 2025 by Brian Elliott | MIT Sloan Management Review -- What hybrid work trends should be on every leader’s radar screen in the new year? As debate heats up, Brian Elliott explains how to navigate turbulence and come out ahead.

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​Technology -- Data centers are booming in Texas. What does that mean for the grid? By Kayla Guo (The Texas Tribune) | RouteFifty -- As energy demand surges, largely due to crypto mining facilities, data centers and industrial electrification, Texas officials are looking at how to increase supply and shore up the grid.

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​AI -- Meta’s Yann LeCun predicts ‘new paradigm of AI architectures’ within 5 years and ‘decade of robotics’ by Paul Sawers | TechCrunch

Mentoring-- Why Mentorship Is The Secret To Building Future-Ready Workplaces by Sheya Michaelides | allwork -- In celebration of National Mentoring Month, here are seven reasons a mentoring program helps build future-ready teams.

Something You Should Read:

As someone whose knees make more sound effects than a breakfast cereal commercial, I was instantly drawn to this refreshing take on aging from a 62-year-old who claims to feel better than they did at 52.

When I wake up or get out of a chair I‘ve been sitting in (writing newsletters), my hips and stiffness sends me daily reminders that I'm no longer in my prime.

​I’m 62. I Feel 42. Here’s How,” is an article that explores something far more intriguing than just physical fitness - The article examines how our mental perception of age might be the secret sauce to feeling younger. The author presents compelling research showing that those who think of themselves as younger than their chronological age often experience better health outcomes, improved moods, and longer lives.

This reminds me of a famous psychological experiment that placed a group of elderly men in a room to live for a while. The "Counterclockwise" groundbreaking experiment conducted by psychologist Ellen Langer in 1979 explored the powerful connection between mind and body, particularly in relation to aging.

In this experiment, Langer took a group of eight men in their 70s to a retreat that was meticulously designed to recreate the environment of 1959, when the participants were in their The setting was complete with vintage magazines and newspapers, black-and-white television shows from the era, music from the 1950s, including Perry Como and Jack Benny and discussions about "current events" from 1959.

The men were instructed to live as if it were 1959, not just reminisce about the past. They were to speak in the present tense about their lives, careers, and families as they were 20 years earlier.

The remarkable results:

• Participants showed improvements in physical strength, manual dexterity, posture, and gait;
• Cognitive abilities, including memory and intelligence test scores, improved;
• Sensory function enhancements were observed in hearing, taste sensitivity, and vision;
• Even their appearance changed, with independent observers rating the men as looking younger in their "after" photos.

Perhaps most strikingly, by the end of the week, men who had seemed frail at the beginning were playing an impromptu touch football game on the front lawn!

It's not just about doing more push-ups (though that helps) and pulling out your high school yearbook; it's about pushing back against society's expectations of what aging should look and feel like. Using scientific evidence and personal experience, the author challenges us to reconsider whether "acting your age" might be the worst advice we've ever received.

The author's journey from corporate stress to mindful living suggests that maybe, just maybe, our birth certificates have been lying to us all along - or at least telling only part of the story.

Overheard :

“For the unlearned, old age is winter; for the learned, it is the season of the harvest.”

- Hasidic saying
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Rabbit Hole:

The Right Stuff --Chili

Beware, readers from Texas. You claim Chili should be made without beans. You are wrong. Look at this article, Fast Food Chili Ranked Worst To Best; everyone has beans. So tell me, how is this Chili?

Texas friends, please don't unsubscribe, as I will admit your Texas Chili is excellent. There is nothing I love more than meat in a sauce with peppers. But maybe you shouldn't call it Chili.

The article linked above ranks fast-food restaurant chili, and I have to admit I am intrigued. The number one ranked Chili is at Potbellys. I drove past one of them the other day and thought to myself, "I haven't been to one in a very long time." I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this ranking.

So, while Texas readers consider whether I am a chili heretic, let's not get stuck in one chili style. Instead, let's embrace the diversity of this dish. Don't dither and waste time. Head down to one of these many fast food places to warm your bones with some chili, and maybe try a different type while you're at it.

P.S. -- to be fair, here is a recipe for 'real' Chili to counter the Texas version above)

The Best Part of Waking Up...🎶

My parents were regular coffee drinkers. The comforting sound of the coffee percolator making its sonorous gurgling sound in the mornings and the rich aroma of Folger's brewing in the kitchen as I woke up are memories that bring me great comfort. Mom's black coffee and Dad's sweetened version, a surprising choice for a man who didn't like 'sweets' too much, are etched in my mind.

(Do you remember the Folgers’ coffee jingle? I have a knack for remembering advertising jingles)

My coffee habit started early, influenced by my parents' love for the beverage. I remember taking a sugary thermos of coffee on day trips fishing with Dad, a tradition that I still cherish.

Today, I brew coffee every morning and limit myself to two cups. The caffeine doesn't bother me much, but I am cognizant of avoiding coffee after Noon, as I know caffeine in coffee has a long half-life and can impact your ability to fall asleep and to have sound sleep.

I have used K-cups, although I don't prefer them. I like brewing, and K-cup coffee is never hot enough.

However, for those who live by them, we have this ranking of the best K-cups. It is interesting to see which brand came out on top. Granted, we have one reviewer, so tastes may vary, but this should guide you on what some brands deliver.

McDonald's coffee is ranked relatively high, and I have always found it pretty good in a pinch. What about you? What's your go-to coffee brand or brewing method?

Puttin on the Ritz (IKNYN)!

A classic in the annals of scary movies is Frankenstein. It tells the story of a mad scientist who created life by reanimating the dead with a brain transplant and other spare body parts—at least, that's the pop culture version of the story. Multiple movies have been made using the Frankenstein model, with my favorite being Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein, a side-splitting comedy that brings a fresh, humorous twist to the classic tale.

Mel Brooks was known for absurd comedies such as Blazing Saddles. On the set of that movie, his star, Gene Wilder, enticed Brooks to create the film. They did so, and it was a critical and box office hit. You can learn more about the movie here.

Today, with the advent of social media and the internet, we can watch Frankenstein and witness the advent of what I call Frankenfood. The classic definition of Frankenfood is food designed and created in a lab. My version is really FrankenRecipes, or food produced by wanna-be culinary experts that goes beyond what is necessary.

For instance, a recipe I saw combines BBQ pulled pork with pizza crust, shredded cheese, and cut hot dogs. The ingredients are baked together in some weird structure and eaten like a dip. It's a wild and absurd concept, but I couldn't help but chuckle when I saw someone pushing this as a recipe.

When I stumbled upon the recipe for Tater-to-encrusted meatloaf, I have to admit, it had all the hallmarks of a FrankenRecipe/Food. The combination seemed unusual, to say the least. But I was intrigued and couldn't resist the urge to try it out for myself. I'll leave the verdict up to you.

If you make it, let me know. Here is the recipe. ​

Thanks for Reading

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Whenever you’re ready, there are several ways I can help you:

1. Economic Development: If you are looking to supercharge your economic development organization, I can help by strategizing and developing a roadmap to success. Set up a time to talk to me here.

2. Culture Change; Is your organization changing? Would you like to create an asset out of your culture? Do you know how to assess team strengths? Let me help you. I'm a certified culture change practitioner. Set up a time to talk to me here.

3. The Green Economy; The world is changing. Some of it is positive, and some of the change is not. Let me help you develop green economy opportunities for your community. Set up some time to talk about here.​

4. Mentoring Programs: Circles of Seven (C7) is a proven and award-winning model for mentoring. Whether it is for business or your community leadership program, I can develop a mentoring program for you. Let's talk about your situation. Set up a time here. ​

If you have any thoughts or comments regarding any articles in this newsletter please feel free to contact me through email at martin@martinkarlconsulting.com.​

You can review my services and offerings at www.martinkarlconsulting.com​

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