ED Now

IEDC has released its latest Economic Development Research Partners (EDRP) report titled "Leading and Managing Next-Level EDOs: Leveraging Technology," which encourages EDOs to devise intentional strategies for adopting new technology.

Everyone loves a good podcast—whether it’s true crime, self-improvement, or professional development. New shows are always popping up, and the economic development field is no exception. In the last couple of years, we’ve seen several informative economic development podcasts burst onto the scene that are worth your time if you’d like to squeeze in more professional development while commuting, making dinner, or working out. Here are five economic development podcasts that regularly publish new content to keep you informed, help you mine new ideas, and stay up to date in the field. Develop This!: Economic & Community Development Develop This! explores all things related to transformational community ...

IEDC honored Dr. Maury Forman, HLM, with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Economic Development in 2021. Dr. Forman served more than 30 years at the Washington State Department of Commerce and is an innovative economic development leader, prolific author, and passionate educator. Submit your nomination for the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award by May 13.

The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated some real estate trends and threw new ones into the mix. Housing prices are a workforce issue, many office buildings are destined for new uses, and downtowns and retail properties remain in flux. How are communities responding to these dynamics? IEDC invites you to take Economic Development Research Partners (EDRP)’s Real Estate in 2022 survey to help shed light on today’s real estate dynamics and how they impact economic development. After two years of the pandemic, how is the real estate market in your community different? What are the challenges and opportunities? What new strategies or tools, learnings, or innovations are out there? Do you have a successful project to suggest for a case ...

Courtney Zaugg, CEcD, EDP, founder of Plaka + Associates, 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? In my journey as both an entrepreneur and an economic development consultant, I deeply understand the importance of investing in long-term entrepreneurship strategies to support sustainable and equitable economic growth. The EDP credential elevates the importance of entrepreneurship as an economic development ...

Small companies play a critical role in rural communities where there are fewer economic development opportunities than in urban areas. This is particularly true of second-stage companies, powerful job creators that have moved beyond the startup phase and are striving to scale larger. To accelerate growth for rural second-stagers, the Edward Lowe Foundation has developed a new program model that blends customized research, leadership development, and peer learning.

On the last day of IEDC’s 2022 Leadership Summit held in Coachella, Calif., Clint Nessmith, CEO of Resource Development Group, led a panel of leaders of successful and innovative regional partnerships in exploring the unique benefits a regional organization can create, as well as difficulties faced by regional developers, from navigating politics to today’s evolving economic development field. Nessmith opened the panel by espousing an “economic development truth”: all economic development is regional. In selling a project or proposal, developers must look at their work on a regional level, leveraging their region’s vibrant core, access to housing, quality schools, and other features. In failing to do so, ...

ED Now asked IEDC board members to tell us their New Year’s resolutions. What are your resolutions for 2022? Share them with us! Ron Kitchens, CEcD, senior partner and chief executive officer, Birmingham (Ala.) Business Alliance: Our resolution is to challenge and change our best every day. Yesterday’s plans, programs, and execution belong in the past. The future of economic development is about being an agent of change, not a victim of change. David A. Leezer, CEcD, FM, vice president of business attraction, Wichita Falls (Texas) Chamber of Commerce: Be more focused on the key issues important to the success of our strategy and avoid the stuff that takes away from that strategy. Read 15 books. Make Wichita Falls ...