ED Now

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.

Kristin Slice, EDP, director of community entrepreneurship for the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University, is part of the third 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? Entrepreneurs deserve the best resources and support we can offer—they are the heartbeat of our economy. I take every course and certification I can. It gives me the tools and insight to help our team and community ...

Pursuing the EDP (Entrepreneurship Development Professional) credential for me was an important part of exploring the entrepreneurial ecosystem-building discipline and continuing to hone how the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute leads the inclusive expansion of the discipline in its mission to collaboratively serve the communities in which Arizona State University has a presence. The credential expanded my knowledge of traditional economic development practices and grew my network of ecosystem building professionals, which has helped me be a more effective change agent. Many of the communities I serve are in a nascent or even pre-nascent ecosystem stage, so it is vitally important to maintain an entrepreneurial mindset ...

IEDC’s 2023 Economic Future Forum will be held next month in Calgary. A few of our conference speakers and sponsors shared some economic development projects and initiatives happening in Alberta.

IEDC's Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) program recognizes organizational excellence in the areas of internal and external operations, structures, and procedures. This series profiles recently accredited AEDOs, putting some of economic development's highest-performing organizations in the spotlight. This edition: City of Brampton (Ont.) Economic Development Office.

IEDC has partnered with the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) for more than four years through IEDC’s economic recovery and resilience program. The CNMI’s tourism- and agriculture-focused economy is unique, vibrant, and dynamic. IEDC’s current work with the CNMI economic development community addresses dual recovery from the pandemic and natural disasters. To kick off this phase, a team of IEDC volunteers visited the islands to conduct a needs assessment.

IEDC's Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) program recognizes organizational excellence in the areas of internal and external operations, structures, and procedures. This series profiles recently accredited AEDOs, putting some of economic development's highest-performing organizations in the spotlight. This edition: Avondale (Ariz.) EDGE.

Diana Goss, MBA, EDP, executive director of the DeKalb County (Ala.) Entrepreneurial Center, is part of the third 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 pursued the EDP credential to develop a strong foundation in and understanding of entrepreneurship for my new career at the DeKalb County Entrepreneurial Center. How will your EDP credential support your community's economic recovery? First, we are starting a countywide ...