Libraries across the U.S. provide entrepreneur support resources of all kinds, from workshops to networking opportunities to market research. Working with a local library is a good way for small business owners to get the help they need—and a good way for EDOs to enhance the reach and impact of their economic development efforts.

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Foundation are proud to announce the recipients of the inaugural Certificate in Workforce Development Fundamentals program. This initial cohort of recipients serves as a significant step forward in advancing both IEDC and ACCE's commitment to enhancing the skills of chamber staff and economic development professionals while expanding equitable workforce opportunities and outcomes.

Congratulations to the following 52 Workforce Development Fundamentals certificate recipients...

We are excited to let you know that the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment Public Works (EPW) just unveiled the bipartisan Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 2024 (S. 3891), legislation that would reauthorize the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) and its programs for the first time in over 20 years. Specifically, the bill amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA) (P.L. 89-136).

The Committee plans to mark up the bill March 12 in the full EPW Committee. We need your help to urge your members on the EWP Committee to support S. 3891.

"...This critical bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), the only federal agency solely focused on economic development...We commend this bill and support its passage through committee and the full Senate."  - Nathan Ohle, IEDC President & CEO

President & CEO Nathan Ohle joins Will Warren and Neil Warren of the Appalachia Meets World podcast discusses what it means to be an economic developer, the impact of economic development, and our recently launched Economic Recovery Corps.

This month, IEDC and its partners ushered in the first Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) cohort with a dynamic kickoff event in Portland, Oregon. Funded by EDA, the ERC program is a forward-thinking initiative designed to build capacity in economically distressed areas across the United States and cultivate the next generation of economic development leaders.

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) welcomes Julia Kraeger, a nationally known leader in non-profit strategy and public policy impact, as the Chief Operating Officer (COO). 

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and its partners are excited to announce the first cohort of Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) fellows and
host communities. Launched in 2023 through a $30 million cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), ERC is designed to build capacity in some of the hardest-hit and most economically distressed areas across the United States while cultivating the next generation of economic development leaders.