Economic development has always evolved alongside the defining infrastructure of its era. Canals connected markets. Railroads industrialized regions. Rural electrification transformed manufacturing productivity. Interstate highways rewrote the logic of logistics. Telecom and broadband reshaped the service economy. Each generation believed its buildout was

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) today announced that Tracye McDaniel has joined the organization to serve as Chief Growth and Strategy Advisor. In this newly created role, McDaniel will lead IEDC’s growth and revenue strategy, collaborating with leadership on initiatives designed to expand member value and strengthen the

Congress took another major step toward Farm Bill reauthorization last month, when Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) released a discussion draft of the Agricultural Act of 2026, the Senate's proposal for a new five-year Farm Bill.

The release of legislative text marks the Senate's first comprehensive proposal for Farm Bill reauthorization this Congress. It provides the starting point for committee consideration and negotiations with the House-passed Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.

The Farm Bill is the primary federal authorization for USDA rural development programs and a broad range of initiatives that support economic opportunity in rural America. Beyond traditional agricultural programs, the legislation influences investments in broadband infrastructure, business financing, community facilities, water and wastewater systems, workforce development, energy innovation, and research — all of which help shape the long-term economic competitiveness of rural and regional economies.

What is the proposed rule? On May 29, 2026, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in coordination with federal agencies, published a proposed rule titled "Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance" (OMB-2026-0034) in the Federal Register. If finalized, the proposal would significantly revise the federal grant management framework contained in

A Foundational Shift is Afoot Over the past few years, I’ve sensed a meaningful shift taking place across both the economic development and entrepreneurial ecosystem building fields. Conversations that once happened separately are increasingly beginning to intersect. Economic developers, ecosystem builders, workforce leaders, Main Street

Through our participation in the International Economic Development Council's inaugural Arizona Sustainable Economic Development Learning Lab, we — Erica Sturwold with Salt River Project (SRP) and Cameron Robb with Arizona Public Service (APS) — collaborated on a capstone project that transforms industrial transition into a vital economic development opportunity.

Using learnings from the course, we worked together to form a utility-led framework for sustainable economic development in decommissioned coal plant communities. The result is a model designed not only for Arizona, but for any utilities and communities across the country to adapt and replicate.

Congress has approved H.R. 6644, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a broad bipartisan housing package that combines housing supply, community development, disaster recovery, housing finance, and regulatory reform provisions. Background On June 23, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the final compromise version of the legislation following

IEDC is proud to announce a new cohort of certified Entrepreneurship Development Professionals (EDPs)! The EDP credential is designed to build capacity for those supporting entrepreneurship in their communities, and demonstrates the skills and expertise to steer communities through entrepreneurship-led economic development (ELED). "IEDC is proud to