ED Now

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. In this edition we hear from IEDC's board secretary and treasurer Danielle Casey, CEcD, EDFP, who heads the Albuquerque (N.M.) Regional Economic Alliance.

EDA is accepting applications on a rolling basis for the FY 2023 Disaster Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity. Grants awarded under the NOFO will address economic challenges faced by communities affected by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian, major wildfires and floods, and all other declared natural disasters that occurred in 2021 and 2022. Funding will help communities devise and implement long-term economic recovery strategies through a variety of construction and non-construction projects. Eligible applicants include Tribal nations, nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, district organizations of an Economic Development District (EDD), and state, county, and city subdivisions engaged in economic and infrastructure ...

IEDC, in partnership with EDA and six national and international associations, has officially launched the Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) program. The multiyear, $30-million collaborative initiative will place up to 65 ERC fellows from diverse backgrounds and disciplines within partnering organizations across the United States to activate economic development projects and plans that generate new practices and paradigms for equitable and inclusive change. Organizations interested in hosting a full-time fellow for 2.5 years (30 months) will have until June 30, 2023, to submit an expression of interest and initiate the application process. This is a great opportunity for organizations that are looking to drive their economic development ...

IEDC is accepting submissions through May 30 for the 2023 Excellence and Leadership in Economic Development Awards. 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. Receiving an award showcases your achievements and impact in the field, and winners are recognized at IEDC's Annual Conference. Please email [email protected] with any questions. Battle Creek (Mich.) Unlimited’s DoubleTree Hotel Renovation ...

Aaron Brickman and Lachlan Carey from the Rocky Mountain Institute recently joined an IEDC panel to discuss the historic initiatives within the Inflation Reduction Act. They emphasized the enormous opportunity for economic developers within the $369-billion act. “It’s hard to underestimate just how big of an opportunity this is nationally, regionally, and specifically for economic developers,” Carey said. “The next nine to 15 months will determine the next 15 to 30 years of capital allocation.” The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law on August 16 by President Biden, and marks the single largest investment in clean energy in U.S. history. It comes at a time when the clean energy industry is rapidly ...

After a disaster, while news headlines concentrate on immediate search and rescue efforts, the critical leadership work for economic developers and local officials is to address recovery challenges. IEDC, in partnership with ICMA (International City/County Management Association) and with funding from FEMA, has developed a series of in-depth case studies to highlight successful recovery strategies. After a 2014 chemical spill into the Elk River left nine of West Virginia’s counties without clean water for days and weeks, the Charleston area took steps to improve the region’s image and governmental practices. In the aftermath of the public health and economic disaster, the state proposed stricter regulations for larger ...

Earlier this month, IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle hosted U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves as part of IEDC’s Economic Development Sessions. These sessions serve as fireside chats between Ohle and leading economic development officials, thought leaders, and experts. Ohle and Graves analyzed several issues surrounding current economic challenges as a result of the pandemic, including infrastructure, supply chains, workforce availability, and the system’s capacity to innovate. They also discussed building more resilient economies to combat climate change. Graves pointed out that these problems have demonstrated the system’s lack of capacity to innovate, but reveal a unique opportunity to change those ...

The new CitiesSpeak podcast, hosted by National League of Cities CEO and executive director Clarence Anthony, gives listeners a close look at local leadership across the United States. His guest on the first episode was Mitch Landrieu, who served as the mayor of New Orleans from 2010 to 2018 and is now a senior advisor under the Biden Administration in charge of coordinating the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The episode focused on the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, part of the Build Back Better plan. Landrieu’s experience as mayor has assisted him in his new role. His tenure as mayor was “where the rubber meets the road” whereas federal positions often feel as if they are ...