ED Now

Economic Recovery Corps fellow Janie VanWinkle has already made a significant impact on the agriculture community in western Colorado.

In 2020 St. Tammany Corporation in Louisiana embarked on a large-scale fiber installation project that had 6,500 crossings and also many challenges. Over the next two years, the team learned a few things that might be useful to fellow economic developers.

We are emerging from a period where there has been a notable increase in support and recognition of the vital role small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play in the global economy. However, as we move forward, it is crucial for policymakers, the media, and the corporate community to maintain their focus on SMEs and remember the significant impact these enterprises have on our economies and the world at large.

Jonathan Morgan, PhD, is a tenured professor who focuses on economic and community development in his teaching and applied research. He has directed the IEDC-accredited Basic Economic Development Course at UNC-Chapel Hill since 2004, and further serves the field as a member of both IEDC’s board of directors and its Racism in Economic Development Committee. In this article, Prof. Morgan talks about the importance of lifelong learning, working effectively with public officials, the role of economic development in pandemic recovery, and more.

IEDC is urging members to reach out to their elected representatives about supporting the reauthorization of the Economic Development Administration (EDA). Reauthorizing EDA would bring new funding potential, new programming, and key policy changes that would allow the agency to truly become a 21st-century leader in economic development. The past few years have demonstrated the great need for a more robust federal partner in local economic development nationwide. EDA has committed extraordinary resources and programming to meet this need, but more is needed that can only be achieved through reauthorization. When contacting your senator and congressperson, be prepared to share your ZIP code and indicate if you need a response (not ...

Have you executed a unique and impactful Economic Development Week campaign? Outstanding examples of Economic Development Week observance are honored as part of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards with a special submission deadline of May 27. The Arizona Association for Economic Development won Gold in 2021: Collaborative Arizona Communities The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED)'s Economic Development Week campaign, Arizona Collaborative Communities, highlighted the ways Arizona communities stayed strong during the pandemic through collaboration. The campaign was unique because AAED provided a packaged social media marketing campaign that was adaptable across the state by public and private partners. ...

Economic Development Week is two weeks away—celebrate with your community and IEDC! ED Week gives economic developers a platform to create awareness of the value that the profession brings to communities. Articulate your contributions to your local economy, organize a base of support, show and tell the importance of economic development, and amplify your message to increase exposure. Download the #EconDevWeek22 Toolkit to access: Social media messaging, graphics, stock images, and logos Press release and proclamation templates Electronic and print advertising templates Special ways to engage your elected officials City, county, and state resolution templates Ideas for how to plan events such as webinars, photo ...

IEDC is accepting submissions for the 2022 Excellence and Leadership in Economic Development Awards through May 13. Amy J. Clickner, CEcD, FM, HLM, CFRM, received the Jeffrey A. Finkle Organizational Leadership Award and Fellow Member status in 2021. The Organizational Leadership Award recognizes an individual who has continuously led the same public or nonprofit economic development organization with integrity, tenacity, and a philanthropic spirit for at least 15 years. Nominees should demonstrate a vast knowledge of the intricacies of the economic development profession and play a pivotal role in the continued success of their organization. They have not only exhibited exemplary leadership but have also worked tirelessly to develop ...