ED Now

Each new year brings new leadership to IEDC’s board of directors. Dr. Eloisa Klementich, CEcD, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, will serve as IEDC’s board chair in 2024.

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 Miramar (Fla.) Economic Development and Housing Department.

With more than 22 years of experience in business, organizational, and economic development, Terri May Peters, business development manager for Claremore (Okla.) Industrial and Economic Development Authority, always seeks opportunities to grow her professional knowledge, network, and skill set to better serve the local community. And with more than 80% of businesses in Rogers County employing fewer than 10 individuals, the small business sector is a driving force for the area's economy. IEDC’s Entrepreneurship Development Professional certification provided the perfect opportunity for Peters to ensure she had the skills needed to provide local small businesses with the tools, training, resources, and relationships needed to be ...

Katherine Long, EDP, small business and information manager for Ponca City (Okla.) Development Authority (PCDA), 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? Working with startups and small businesses has always been a passion for me, even before joining the PCDA staff in 2006. Our executive director encouraged me to pursue the EDP credential during the pandemic, and I am so glad that I did. Going through the EDP ...

Bill Sabo, EDP, CPPM, regional director of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, 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? Fort Smith used to be a major manufacturing hub with Trane, Whirlpool, and several other large employers. In the past decade most have moved out, taking thousands of jobs with them that aren’t coming back. The EDP ...

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.

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 ...

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. 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. Below ...