The 17-County Podcast Showcases Businesses While Promoting York County

The 17-County podcast by the York County Development Corporation (YCDC) will soon hit a major milestone: 150 published episodes. Since its launch in 2020, the podcast has grown with new technology, new countries reached, and countless new listeners. As of May 2026, the 17-County Podcast has more than 38,400 downloads, including 758 in the past 30 days. The podcast is shared across popular streaming platforms and YouTube, allowing for an audio-visual format.

“The 17-County podcast is part of a greater multimedia ecosystem used to promote York,” says Lisa Hurley, Executive Director of YCDC. “We pair the podcast with social media posts, paid digital ads, and other marketing and public relations efforts to get our name out there.”

The 17-County podcast helps YCDC reach audiences across the United States, which builds interest in York and attracts talent and companies. However, participating in this podcast as an interviewee also has valuable promotional benefits. Learn more about the podcast and the value it provides to York County. 

Anyone Can Use the 17-County Podcast as a Resource

YCDC uses the 17-County Podcast to paint a picture of York County and the people who live here. It highlights local organizations and puts faces to the people who work there and run them. The podcast covers five key areas of economic development: housing, workforce, business, infrastructure, and talent.

The results show that 17-County is developing a national reach. In the past 24 months, only 31.22% of listeners were located in Nebraska, with nearly 69% outside the state. The podcast reaches people in York County, but has a much larger listenership throughout the state and beyond.

The podcast has also become a resource for local organizations recruiting people to York County. York General shares episodes during physician recruitment tours to help candidates understand the community, while York University shares them with prospective students.

Any company recruiting new employees from outside York County can share the podcast and highlight the people who live and work here. 

The Podcast Paints a Picture of Life in York County

One of the strengths of the 17-County Podcast is its consistency. Episodes drop twice a month and feature people from all walks of life in the community. One week, the podcast might interview a business owner opening a restaurant downtown. The next week, it might showcase an employee who has lived and worked in York County all their life.

The podcast highlights all the great things happening in York County and provides clear messaging and a strong perspective for YCDC across its other marketing materials. When YCDC promotes York County to potential businesses and future residents, it has several available resources (nearly 150) to make a case for this community.  

A single podcast episode might not convince someone to drop everything and move to York County or attract a developer to build houses here, but it can create curiosity about the region. It can help listeners remember York County in the future as they begin their relocation or expansion decisions. 

Businesses Benefit from Free Publicity

YCDC welcomes business owners and community leaders from across York County to be on the 17-County Podcast. This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss your daily operations, plans for growth, and talent needs. You can showcase why your organization is successful, then use the podcast as a sales tool and recruitment resource.

“Every business provides value to York County, from our major employers to brand-new entrepreneurs,” says Hurley. “If we can help these companies tell their stories, they can grow, and York County will grow with them.”

Interviewees who participate in the podcast also receive a free photoshoot to help YCDC promote the episode on social media. This gives the participant free headshots they can use long after the podcast airs. This is part of YCDC’s commitment to providing value to businesses in the community. 

Support Economic Development in York County

Participating in the 17-County podcast is a great way to tell York County’s story while promoting your business, but there are other ways to get involved and help the region grow. Consider becoming a YCDC stakeholder and contributing financially to the county's economic development. 

Joining YCDC as a stakeholder unlocks investor benefits you can enjoy throughout the year. You may be able to have a seat on the YCDC board and receive features on the website, podcast, and social media channels.  

Explore the stakeholders that invest in YCDC and see your business here. Join today and help us grow York County by bringing new businesses, residents, and opportunities to the region.