Turn a funding decision into a program your team can deliver with confidence.

The award is approved. Now come the decisions that determine whether the program works: who does what, which records matter, how progress is monitored, and what happens when something goes off track. Join Laci Sherman for an applied learning lab focused on the operational foundations of effective economic development programs. Work through the journey from policy and funding requirements to everyday administration, with practical methods for strengthening accountability and preserving institutional knowledge through staff transitions.

Inside the learning lab

Examine a realistic program scenario, uncover gaps in responsibilities and documentation, and apply a Program Administration and Accountability Matrix. Use the same framework to begin improving a program or process from your own organization.

What you will gain

• Translate policy and funding requirements into a clear administration framework.
• Map roles, approval points, workflows, and documentation requirements.
• Identify compliance, monitoring, and continuity gaps before they disrupt delivery.
• Establish processes that support consistent decisions from implementation through closeout.

What you will take back

A Program Administration and Accountability Matrix, policy-to-implementation framework, program diagnostic checklist, and priority actions for your own program.

Who should join:

Practitioners administering or overseeing incentives, grants, loans, development projects, or other economic development programs.

Bring a program you want to strengthen and build the processes to support it.

Registration (Opens December 2026)

Professional Development Credits

Attendance and participation during all sessions of the training course is required by a registrant to obtain the following credits. 

• Certified Economic Developer (CEcD)
  • Exam = Core Requirement
  • Recertification = (3) Level-1 Points
    
    
• Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP)
  • Exam = Elective Requirement
  • Recertification = (3) Level-1 Points

Note: IEDC will send a registrant an electronic certificate of completion after the course for their records.

Questions

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call (202) 223-7800.

Policies

Please read the following policies carefully prior to registering for the training course.

Materials

The materials provided by IEDC are intended for use only by the registrant of the training course. A registrant should not share the training course materials with anyone else.

A registrant found in violation of this policy will be removed from the training course immediately and will not receive a refund for it.

Payment

A registrant will not receive the materials for the training course until IEDC receives the full amount owed for their registration.

Substitution

A registrant is not allowed to substitute a colleague in their place for any IEDC training course.

Cancellation

Please review our cancellation policy here.

No Show

A registrant is considered a “No Show” if they fail to send a cancellation email and/or do not attend the training course. A “No Show” registrant will forfeit any monies paid to IEDC for the training course.