The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is excited to welcome and congratulate the seven individuals who have recently earned the internationally recognized Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP) designation. The multiple choice portion of the EDP exam was administered Friday, April 5, 2024, and oral interviews took place throughout the week of April 8-12, 2024. This credential demonstrates these seven individuals' vast entrepreneurial skill, knowledge, and field expertise needed to advance entrepreneurship and contribute to healthy, vibrant economies. 

The following individuals have achieved the EDP credential:

To attain the EDP designation, candidates are must have at least 2 years of paid full-time economic development and/or entrepreneurial support work experience, successfully complete all prerequisite coursework, and pass a rigorous and thorough examination that spans two days and consists of two distinct parts. This examination evaluates a practitioner's knowledge, proficiency, judgment, and critical thinking skills across subject areas, including: 

• Introduction to Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development
• Accelerating Growth Through Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development
• Economic Development Credit Analysis
• Entrepreneurial & Small Business Development Strategies
• Business Retention & Expansion
• Economic Development Finance Programs
• Neighborhood Development Strategies
• Technology-Led Economic Development

Developed with the support of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, and in partnership with the University of Missouri-Kansas City SourceLink, the EDP credential is only one of two official designations offered by IEDC. The Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential is a comprehensive designation that tests applicants' general proficiency in economic development. IEDC has designated and recertified over two thousand CEcDs, and since 2021, more than 50 active EDPs throughout the world.

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