As the January 30, 2026, deadline to complete the remaining funding bills approaches, and discussion of a potential or partial government shutdown increases, here is an update on the latest congressional action in the FY 2026 federal appropriations process. So far, six of the 12 regular FY 2026 appropriations bills have been enacted into law. Three were

As the International Economic Development Council approaches its Centennial, it’s worth pausing to name a quiet truth: economic development has never been just about deals. It has always been about people—how communities create opportunity, how families build stability, and how regions compete and prosper over time. For much of the last

Growing up in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the Chevron refinery loomed large over my childhood. Oil and gas defined the economy I knew. Today, as an Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) Fellow with the St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation (STEDC), I find myself working in what I call the “Northshore Energy Valley,” a region where fossil fuels are

Since its launch, the Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) has translated targeted investment into outsized community impact. Backed by a $30 million investment, ERC has helped communities catalyze more than $240 million in grants, public funding, and private capital. Through embedded, place-based Fellowships, ERC is not only advancing projects, but strengthening

Dear IEDC Members, Friends, and Partners, I couldn’t be more excited to step into the role of Chair of IEDC’s Board of Directors during this incredible centennial year. What an amazing moment for all of us! As we head into 2026, I’m honored to represent our profession and this organization at a time when economic development truly matters

Dear IEDC Members, Friends, and Partners, As 2025 comes to a close, I have been reflecting on the past year and the conversations I have had with so many of you. I am deeply grateful for our economic development community, the meaningful progress we’ve made together, and most importantly, the way this community shows up in support of one another.

Chief Innovation Officer Dell Gines participated in a panel on brain drain in his hometown of Omaha, NE, on Tuesday, Dec. 2. He joined city officials, researchers, and business leaders at Creighton University to address Nebraska’s long-standing loss of educated talent. The City of Omaha hosted the forum to support the development of a new 20-year

On a full-day visit to explore Omaha’s development and civic planning, the Youth Leadership Omaha cohort, consisting of approximately 40 high school students, heard from local leaders, including Dr. Dell Gines, who led a foundational session on economic development. The event was hosted by Creighton University and featured presentations, tours, and