Partners

IEDC would like to thank the 2008 Federal Economic Development Forum partners for their support. Partners are eligible to register for the IEDC member rate.

National Organizations

The Association of Defense Communities (ADC) is the nation's leading membership organization supporting communities with active, closed and closing defense installations. Our 1,200 members unite the diverse interests of communities, the private sector and the military on issues of mission enhancement/realignment, community-base partnerships, privatization and closure/redevelopment. Providing support, knowledge, and experience - ADC is the voice of America's defense communities.

Regional Associations

The Mid-America Economic Development Council (MAEDC) is an organization for economic development professionals providing resources to assist economic development professionals and help them do their job better; recognition of quality economic development programs and marketing; promotion of the ten-state region to site selectors and industries, raising the level of awareness about the area; and networking opportunities among regional members allowing idea exchange and partnering.

The Northeastern Economic Developers Association promotes professional economic and industrial development throughout the Northeastern United States, enabling its members to strengthen their local and regional economies and enhance overall quality of life. Through NEDA membership, economic development practitioners, officials, and volunteer leaders develop and perfect their development tools, network with others in the field, and partner regionally to do the work of economic development. Active Membership is open to any person who is involved in economic development in the Northeastern U.S., encompassing Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia. NEDA is a not-for-profit (501-c-3) corporation.

State Associations

The Arizona Association for Economic Development is Arizona's leading advocate for responsible economic development. It is made up of 525+ professional economic developers and supporters of economic development, with programs organized around its core values of Advocacy, Education and Networking. It accomplishes its objectives through a motivated and active membership and strategic partnerships with companies, organizations and governmental agencies with which it shares goals.

The Arkansas Economic Developers (AED) is an association of professional and volunteer economic developers in the state of Arkansas. It was organized in late 1976 with a constitution and by-laws formally adopted on September 27, 1977. According to its constitution, it is organized for the purpose of advancing, through professional and educational efforts, the quality of life in Arkansas by the development of employment opportunities through economic growth and community development.

The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) is the premier statewide professional economic development organization dedicated to advancing its members’ ability to achieve excellence in delivering economic development services to their communities and business clients. CALED’s membership consists of public and private organizations and individuals involved in economic development: the business of creating and retaining jobs.

The Economic Development Council of Colorado is committed to: An equitable, balanced, public/private partnership. Growing the economic climate of Colorado to the mutual benefit of employees,employers, governments and citizens.

CEDAS, the Connecticut Economic Development Association, is a not-for-profit organization committed to advancing the practice of economic development within the state of Connecticut. The Association encourages communication among its members by providing a forum for discussion and information exchange. CEDAS sponsors or co-sponsors educational programs, workshops and seminars on best practices, new legislation, downtown development and issues pertaining to the state’s economy.

The mission of the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC) is to advance economic development in Florida and to enhance the professionalism of its members through education, interaction, and the exchange of information with business, government, and all other appropriate organizations.

The Georgia Economic Developers Association is a non-profit association of professionals and volunteers who are involved with the economic development of the cities and counties of Georgia. GEDA was organized to increase the effectiveness of individuals involved in the practice of economic development in Georgia by encouraging cooperation, exchange of information, and upgrading of professional skills.

The Idaho Economic Development Association is a trade association of economic development professionals and affiliated entities whose purpose it is to enhance and elevate the practice of economic development and to promote sustainable business growth for Idaho’s economic vitality and increased standard of living.

The Illinois Development Council is a voluntary group of economic development professionals affiliated as a not-for-profit corporation for the purpose of furthering the development of the economic base of Illinois.

The Indiana Economic Development Association utilizes the knowledge and resources of the association to make economic development activities in the state more effective. It also cooperates and interacts with all state and local organizations engaged in promoting the economic welfare of Indiana.

The Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) was established in 1973 as an organization of economic development professionals working to grow and develop Iowa’s economic base. PDI’s more than 350 members come from a variety of disciplines: county and regional developers, community developers, utilities, legal and financial firms, universities, community colleges, engineering and construction firms, and railroads.

The Kansas Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) is an organization of professional and volunteers involved in the business of economic development. It was started in 1980 to address two main areas. First, was to provide programming which would enhance the professional skills of its members. Second, was to assist other organizations with the presentation of information to legislative bodies that were studying economic development issues. In 2005, KEDA and the Kansas Department of Commerce added the LocationOne Information System (LOIS) which is a sites, buildings, and community database controlled and populated both at the community and state level.

Since 1967, the Kentucky Association for Economic Development, formerly the Kentucky Industrial Development Council, has worked hard to promote economic and industrial development in Kentucky. The way we see it, economic development is about more than just the retention and expansion of manufacturing. It’s about improving the business environment and quality of life for every citizen in Kentucky. Our members work together on a local, regional and statewide basis to accomplish these goals. Membership in KAED is open to anyone connected to, or interested in, the economic and community development of Kentucky. Our members represent a diverse cross-section of professionals from across the state, all of whom share a common interest in Kentucky’s continued success.

The Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association (LIDEA) is a non-profit Louisiana corporation chartered in 1964 under the 501 (c) 6 provisions of the U.S. Tax Code. LIDEA membership is open to professional and volunteer persons/groups seeking to promote the economic health and vitality of the state of Louisiana. The expressed purpose of LIDEA and its membership is to create new job opportunities by encouraging companies to locate in Louisiana, and to assist resident industries to expand. The LIDEA organization provides its members and others with opportunities for dialogue, education, advancement and improvement in all aspects of industrial, economic and community development in Louisiana through meetings, seminars, communications, publications and other programs and activities.

The Economic Development Council of Maine (EDCM) was founded in 1956 as the Industrial Development Council of Maine. A statewide organization, it was incorporated in 1990 as a non-profit association and is governed by adopted by-laws. The EDCM is committed to promoting an exchange of ideas, practices and ethics in the field of economic development, and to providing a program of continuing information and education for its membership.

The Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) enhances the knowledge and skills of its members and encourages partnerships and networking among those committed to bringing jobs and investment to Maryland.

The Massachusetts Economic Development Council (MEDC) is the professional association of economic development practitioners serving the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Established in 1963, the Council provides an opportunity for professional development through Council Committees, programs, and has as its primary objective the promotion and development of the economic welfare of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through industrial and economic development.

The Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA), founded in 1960, exists to advance economic development throughout Michigan, and increase the individual member’s effectiveness in the economic development profession. MEDA’s goal is to provide a variety of services and programs which will enhance your ability and skills in economic development. Through education, legislative updates, public relations and networking, MEDA makes it possible for you to do your job more efficiently and effectively.

The Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM) is a nonprofit professional association of individuals and organziations throughout the state of Minnesota dedicated to the advancement of the economic development profession.

The Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC) serves as the voice for this state’s economic and community development and chamber of commerce professionals and their constituencies. Through collaboration with other local, state, and national entities, MEDC establishes and advocates Mississippi’s economic and community development agencies. MEDC serves its members and this agenda by fostering a network of trained professionals and serving as the primary resource for information and strategies for economic and community development and the promotion of commerce. MEDC’s purpose is to improve Mississippi’s communities through the development of their resources.

The Missouri Economic Development Council is a statewide, not-for-profit association of economic development professionals and community leaders. Created in 1979 to provide a unified voice for economic development, MEDC offers its members programs in professional education, legislation and marketing.

Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) sponsors educational seminars, workshops and conferences to advance the economic development profession. MEDA is a coordinator for the statewide economic development workshops that provide intense training for economic developers interested in obtaining certification. We conduct research to stimulate the interchange of ideas and experiences between individuals with mutual goals and interests. The association also develops network and communications systems to disseminate information and acts as a clearinghouse and contact point within Montana for other state, regional, national and international economic development organizations and agencies.

The New Mexico Industrial Development Executives Association promotes New Mexico’s economic growth through focused advocacy of economic development issues, providing networking, education and training opportunities for its members.

The New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC) is the state's principle organization representing economic development professionals. Our 900 members include the leadership of Industrial Development Agencies, Local Development Corporations, commercial and investment banks, underwriters, bond counsels, utilities, chambers of commerce and private corporations.

The North Carolina Economic Developers Association (NCEDA) is the statewide association for professional economic developers and their allies in North Carolina. For more than 30 years, NCEDA and its members have led efforts to promote North Carolina as an ideal destination for businesses and recruit investment to the state as well as support the growth of existing businesses and entrepreneurial ventures.

The Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) represents over 425 economic development professionals from across Ohio. The organization was created in 2005 through the merger of the Ohio Development Association and the Ohio Economic Development Council and advocates on behalf of economic development issues important to growing the Ohio economy and is non-partisan. The OEDA provides on-going professional development training and materials and provides members with resources to inform leaders about the importance of economic development to their community.

The Oklahoma Professional Economic Development Council is an organization of economic development practitioners and advocates promoting a competitive business climate in Oklahoma through legislative initiatives, coalition building and professional development.

The Oregon Economic Development Association (OEDA) serves the economic development practitioners of Oregon through the implementation of the Economic Development Training Series, management of the Oregon Prospector Industrial site website, implementation of an Earned Media campaign, advancement of an economic development Legislative Strategy, coordination of tradeshows, distribution of a monthly e-Newsletter, and maintenance of two websites.

The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) is an Austin-based, statewide professional association dedicated to the development of economic and employment opportunities in Texas. TEDC provides information, educational and legislative services to nearly 900 members. The Council's objective is to expand existing industry, recruit new firms to the state and develop strategies that promote a positive business climate in Texas.

The Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) is a professional association in Virginia designed to provide educational, networking, and technical assistance for professionals who have an interest in economic development. VEDA supports regional cooperation and the maintenance and expansion of efforts by state, regional, and local governments and other interested organizations to foster the growth of employment business sectors that will expand the job opportunities and improve quality of life for all Virginians.

The Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA) is a state-wide, non-profit association of private businesses, economic development councils, ports, governments and others committed to enhancing the state's climate for economic development. This is accomplished through goals and strategies that promote sound economic development policy on the state level and provide educational and networking opportunities for economic development professionals.

The West Virginia Economic Development Council (WVEDC) promotes activities that retain and expand present business and industry and attract new business and industry to West Virginia. WVEDC is the only professional organization in the state with the sole function of promoting economic development.

WEDA's mission statement is: "Provide leadership support and foster economic development in Wyoming." The Wyoming Economic Development Association is a non-profit professional association representing over 170 economic development members and organizations with over 5000 affiliate members. For more information, please visit our website at www.wyomingeda.org.