Who We Are
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,500 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers typically work for cities, counties, states, public-private partnerships, and chambers of commerce and promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development experiences. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. IEDC’s members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions.
Our Mission
Through bold leadership, collaborative partnerships, and innovative programs and solutions, IEDC will equip stakeholders to drive sustainable outcomes for the communities they serve as:
- The best place to work;
- The best place for economic developers to learn and connect; and
- The premier professional association for economic development in the world.
Our Vision
IEDC leads the future of economic development as an essential, valued profession that fosters inclusive prosperity throughout the world.
Our Guiding Principles
Our priorities and goals are guided by a set of principles that inform and inspire our work.
- Stakeholder engagement and collaboration
- Organizational Excellence
Our Priorities
- Impact on the Individual and Organization
- Enhance the stakeholder experience by providing world-class professional development, networking, and customer service
- Impact on the Profession
- Drive the future of economic development profession with visionary thought leadership, insights, and career awareness
- Impact on the Global Community
- Strengthen the landscape of economic development through public policy, storytelling, capacity building, and customized solutions
Our Members
As the largest membership organization for economic developers in the world, IEDC’s over 4,500 members represent the entire field of economic development experience. From public to private, rural to urban and local to international, IEDC members represent the full range of the economic development profession. IEDC membership is organizationally based, so IEDC members are individuals representing their organization.
Our members work in public institutions such as local, state, and regional governmental economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, community development organizations and educational institutions. Some of our members work in private organizations such as workforce development agencies, technology development agencies and utility companies. Our members have expertise in real estate development, business retention and expansion (BRE), community development and workforce training. Our members work to expand infrastructure, tourism and international trade to their community.
Economic Development
A set of programs and policies that aid in the creation, retention and expansion of jobs; the development of a stable tax base; and the enhancement of wealth.
Economic development aims to influence the growth and restructuring of a community’s economy to enhance its well being. This is achieved through job creation and retention, wealth creation for individuals and businesses, tax base enhancements, and improvement in quality of life.
While the private sector ultimately creates the jobs, the role of economic development organizations – through the core activities of business recruitment, retention and expansion, and business creation and entrepreneurship – is to create the conditions that better enable businesses to compete and thrive.
Over the years, the profession has expanded and transformed what it means to do economic development. As firms become more mobile, communities have recognized that strengthening existing businesses, helping them expand, and helping new businesses start up is a more effective and sustainable growth strategy. The profession has broadened its scope in recognition that job quality – rather than quantity – is key to providing individual opportunity, maintaining a strong middle class and strengthening a community’s economic competitiveness. In addition, the practice of economic development has adapted over time to reflect structural changes to the economy and the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in driving economic growth; and respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by an increasingly global economy.
Learn More
Meet IEDC's New CEO
We are thrilled to announce that Nathan Ohle has joined IEDC as our new President and Chief Executive Officer.
History
Since 1926, IEDC and our predecessors, have been supporting economic growth and opportunity for all
The Bollinger Foundation
The Bollinger Foundation supports families in economic development experiencing hardship
Code of Ethics
Ethics in the professional practice of economic development
International Partners
Our international partners allow IEDC’s members to gain access to the best practices and resources in economic development from around the world
State, Regional and Provincial Association Partners
Our connection to local economic development
SITE MAP
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