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IEDC is now accepting submissions for the 2023 Excellence and Leadership in Economic Development Awards. Take advantage of early-bird pricing and submit your entry by April 14. Tribal Chairman John Barrett received the Leadership Award for Public Service in 2022. This award recognizes a state or local elected official who has served as a committed advocate for economic development for at least 10 years. Nominees must have demonstrated sustained and effective efforts to mobilize community groups and industry leaders in the development of programs and projects, played a key role in the planning and designing of new economic development activities, and displayed dedication and commitment to their constituency as a leader and advocate for ...

The following is a summary of the Small Business Assistance chapter of the updated Leadership in Times of Crisis Toolkit. This toolkit provides economic developers with tactics, resources, and examples to help recover from a disaster and build resilience. It was launched in August 2022 and funded by the Economic Development Administration. Summary Small businesses—defined by the SBA as having fewer than 500 employees—are integral to the functionality of U.S. commerce and economic development. They make up more than 99 percent of American businesses and consistently create and sustain job growth at higher rates than larger firms. Unfortunately, they are frequently under-prepared to resume operations after enduring any kind of ...

Brett Doney, CEcD, EDP, FM, president and CEO of the Great Falls (Mont.) Development Authority, is part of the first cohort of certified Entrepreneurship Development Professionals. IEDC’s EDP credential is designed to build capacity for those supporting entrepreneurship in their communities, and demonstrates the skills and expertise to lead communities through entrepreneurship-led economic development (ELED). Why did you decide to pursue the EDP credential? Thirty-eight years into my economic development career, I’m still eager to learn new things that enable me to help generate more economic impact in the community and region my EDO serves. Ongoing professional development and continuous improvement are core values of our ...

IEDC is now accepting submissions for the 2022 Excellence and Leadership in Economic Development Awards. Take advantage of early-bird pricing and submit your entry by April 8. Please send any questions to [email protected]. The Excellence and Leadership in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs, partnerships, and marketing materials, and the year’s most influential economic development leaders. These prestigious awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Winners are recognized at IEDC's Annual Conference. Receiving an IEDC award showcases your achievements and impact in the field Below is ...

Natalia Rodriguez-Hilt, MPA, EDP, is part of the first cohort of certified Entrepreneurship Development Professionals. IEDC’s EDP credential is designed to build capacity for those supporting entrepreneurship in their communities, and demonstrates the skills and expertise to lead communities through entrepreneurship-led economic development (ELED). Why did you decide to pursue the EDP credential? I’m a lifelong learner and always looking for ways to grow. At the beginning of 2020, my role at LISC shifted to focus on pandemic relief for small businesses and entrepreneurs. This opened other opportunities to engage, strengthen, and develop the Indianapolis small business ecosystem. As my work deepened in this space, I learned ...

Taking on Structural Racism in Economic Development was the first webinar of IEDC’s Equitable Economic Development Playbook initiative in collaboration with the Rockefeller Foundation. Panelists agreed that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are crucial for economic development. IEDC’s Equity and Economic Development Survey found that entrepreneurship and small business development, economic development finance, and workforce development are perceived as having the highest rates of economic inequity. Gregory Johnson, managing director of the Rockefeller Foundation’s U.S. Equity and Economic Opportunity initiative, said “Equity is opportunity.” He highlighted that “history has been rooted in ...

As the pandemic drags on, we continue to see devastating economic impacts, especially on small businesses and entrepreneurs of color. The Citi Foundation has launched a $25 million request for proposal (RFP) for nonprofit organizations in the following locations that are actively providing technical assistance to small businesses owned by people of color: California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Selected organizations will receive up to $500,000 in unrestricted operating support. Last year Citi donated $25 million in initial net profits from its participation in the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program ...