ED Now

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.

Young Smart & Local (YSL), a groundbreaking national network dedicated to fostering diverse talent through attraction, inclusion, development, and retention, will host its third annual conference November 13–15 in New Orleans. This three-day event has become a valuable platform for leaders from various sectors to collaborate and share insights and best practices. Launched with a national conference in Philadelphia in 2019, YSL has rapidly grown to encompass more than 900 professionals in economic development, city government, higher education, and business. Co-founded and managed by Deborah Diamond, former president of Campus Philly, and Cecelia Thompson, executive director of Action Greensboro (N.C.), the network provides a ...

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 ...

Heidi Knoblauch, PhD, EDP, interim director of Empire (N.Y.) State Development’s Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation, 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 wanted to understand how economic developers outside of New York State are thinking about entrepreneurship-led economic development. Specifically, I wanted to learn how other economic developers are thinking about measuring innovation ...

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 ...

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. Tribal Chairman John Barrett received the Leadership Award for Public Service in 2022. This award recognizes a state or local elected official who has served as a committed advocate for economic development for at least 10 years. Nominees must have demonstrated sustained and effective efforts to mobilize community groups and industry leaders in the development of programs and projects, played a key role in the planning and designing of new economic development activities, and displayed dedication and commitment to their constituency as a leader and advocate for ...

The Economic Recovery Corps page is now live on IEDC’s website. IEDC and partners will receive $30 million from EDA over four-and-a-half years to create the Economic Recovery Corps—65 fellows who will be embedded in distressed regions throughout the United States to help lead efforts to increase the capacity of regional economic development ecosystems and provide guidance to support local economic developers. The ERC program will help communities accelerate their economic recovery, develop and deliver effective regional strategies to promote resilience and competitiveness, and create sustainable and equitable opportunities for all. Prospective fellows and host organizations should fill out the Economic Recovery Corps Interest ...

The most recent episode of IEDC’s Economic Development Sessions series featured IEDC president and CEO Nathan Ohle in conversation with U.S. Secretary of Energy and former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm. Granholm reflected on her experience facilitating economic development in her past and present roles. Granholm first discussed critical economic diversification strategies she used while serving as Governor of Michigan during the 2008 financial crisis: “We had been the auto manufacturing state for so long, but we knew we had to add new legs to our economic table to balance it.” Through federal partnerships Granholm diversified Michigan’s auto industry, including by investing in electric vehicle battery ...