• Each session will provide insight and practical tools -- and empower leaders drawn from economic developers, elected officials, and community business and non-profit leaders. 
• Sessions will be highly interactive and practical. Expert speakers from a diverse range of backgrounds will engage participants in facilitated breakout sessions to promote relevant discussion and complete exercises.
• Each session will conclude by offering useful resources and actionable steps economic development leaders can take within their communities.
• Each participant (individually or with a team) will be required to complete a capstone project that develops a feasible strategy to advance sustainable economic development in their community.
• Arizona economic developers will be better-equipped to implement sustainable programs and initiatives.

Program Schedule & Curriculum

• April 17 (Full-Day, In-Person - Phoenix, AZ) - Kickoff & Modules 1-3
  • Module 1: Intro to Sustainable Economic Development: Understanding climate risks and opportunities
  • Module 2: Key Elements of Sustainable Economic Development: Tools, frameworks, and funding sources
  • Module 3: Sustainable Economic Development Communications: Building support for action across a range of audiences
• May 8 - Virtual Session; 1:00 - 3:00pm MST
  • Module 4: Sustainable Development for People: Workforce and community development principles
• June 5 - Virtual Session; 11:00am - 1:00pm MST
  • Module 5: Leveraging Resources to Advance Projects: Federal, state, and local programs, and public-private partnerships
• July–August Capstone Project Work / Virtual Support from Project Team
• September 11  - Virtual Session: 11:00am - 1:00pm MST
  • Module 6: Making it Count: Evaluation and planning for sustainable development
• October 14 (Full-Day In-Person - Phoenix, AZ) – Capstone Presentations & Graduation