IEDC's thoughts and prayers are with communities across the Southeast region of the United States impacted by Hurricane Helene. We stand committed to supporting our members who are on the frontlines of disaster recovery efforts, and commend the Administration for their leadership on expediting Federal assistance and support. Our organization is working with Federal agencies and Congress to ensure that vital resources are provided to the economic development community for rebuilding businesses, schools, hospitals, critical infrastructure and addresses the entire needs of communities devastated by this storm. 

The Women in Economic Development session at IEDC’s Annual Conference stood out as a powerful testament to the strength, resilience, and leadership of women in the field. Expertly moderated by Julie Curtin, president of economic development for Development Counsellors International (DCI) and IEDC board member, the panel created an intimate and supportive atmosphere where speakers and attendees alike shared their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. 

The Overcoming Barriers to Increase Generational Wealth session at IEDC’s Annual Conference explored innovative approaches to addressing long-standing issues in Black intergenerational wealth transfer and homeownership. 

Attending IEDC’s Annual Conference in Denver was an enriching and eye-opening experience, especially from the perspective of someone deeply invested in rural community sustainability. As an IEDC member and ERC fellow, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in a gathering that fostered innovation, collaboration, and learning, all while building connections that will continue to shape my journey as a professional in economic development. 

"If you're not using AI as your copilot, then you're behind," Smith said, highlighting how AI can level the playing field for smaller communities. This sentiment was echoed by John Snow, a partner at Emergent Method, who stressed that embracing AI is not just an opportunity but an imperative for EDOs to remain competitive. 

 The IEDC 2024 Annual Conference, hosted in Denver on September 15-18, brought together industry leaders, experts, and policymakers to “Champion Economic Development Superheroes”. Attendees heard from Jeni Arndt, Mayor of the City of Fort Collins, and Mike Johnston, Mayor of Denver. A highlight was the fireside chat between Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO, and Xochitl Torres Small, United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture from Las Cruces, New Mexico. The conference covered a wide range of topics, including rural prosperity, AI, workforce, housing, climate change, marketing and storytelling, and entrepreneurship. 

IEDC has compiled Kamala Harris' and Donald Trump's positions on issues related to economic development. Please note that IEDC’s analysis in no way favors one candidate over the other. IEDC supports the electoral process and looks forward to working with the 47th President of the United States.

As the Senate continues to consider the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) reauthorization in the 118th U.S. Congress, IEDC commends elements of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) discussion draft released on June 21, 2024, that call for greater alignment and coordination between Workforce Development Boards and Economic Development Organizations, including requirements for workforce training grants to require collaboration with WDBs and EDOs (Section 121, p. 85-86 and Section 143, p. 218-220; 285-289). This step will no doubt provide more support to both business and talent, balancing needs with opportunities benefiting businesses, workers, communities, and the economy as a whole for the next decade and beyond.