30 - Economic Development and Developers in the News

Welcome to the 30th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News.  (Here are all of the past issues.)

Today's issue contains economic development news from 127 economic development executives and organizations in 36 states.

I hope that you enjoy it! -Dane

Alabama

The Alabama League of Municipalities has selected 30 communities from across the state to participate in its newly-formed Economic Development Academy. (Greg Cochran, ALM executive director)

The Women's Economic Development Council Foundation takes great pride in helping women achieve their goals and celebrate their accomplishments, but the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has led to the Foundation postponing one of its main ways to fund the mission. The Foundation's 20th Anniversary of Women Honoring Women event has been postponed to Nov. 30. It was originally set for Sept. 16. (WEDC Executive Director Jennifer Linden)

Arkansas

Linda Crawford, retired Texarkana economic developer received a great profile this week.

Esperanza Massana-Crane, director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission's Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Division, has been appointed to the board of the Central Arkansas Library System.

California

The Regional Economic Action Coalition, has been awarded a $450,000 grant to help stimulate job growth in technical sectors and compensate for the loss of jobs that will result from the closure of Diablo Canyon Power Plant. The coalition also plans to broaden REACH 2030 into a two-county comprehensive economic development strategy, which is expected to open up new funding sources. (Melissa James, CEO)

The East County Economic Development Council will hold its sixth annual Manufacturing Expo and Resource Fair on Tuesday in El Cajon. (James Sly, president and CEO of the East County EDC)

Colorado

The Denver Department of Economic Development and Opportunity is anticipating a $2.5 million increase in the proposed 2022 city budget. (Eric Hiraga, executive director of the department)

Jana Sanchez was named program manager of the Estes Park Economic Development Corp.'s business accelerator program.

Colorado has the nation's second-most-educated workforce, the third-highest labor participation, a growing economy and an abundance of natural assets to draw workers and companies alike. But we can't be complacent, said J.J. Ament, the former CEO of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp. and the new president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. That's why the Economic Development Corporation was determined to find the secret sauce that would distinguish metro Denver from other major metro areas striving to regain ground lost during the pandemic and expand. Even before the pandemic and ensuing recession in 2020, the EDC was working on a recipe to attract companies and workers alike. The finished product, unveiled Friday, is The Elevation Effect. The logo, three mountain peaks, and accompanying marketing strategies were designed as a regional branding initiative to capitalize on what the EDC believes sets the Denver area apart: its workforce.

Delaware

The University of Delaware received a major federal grant that encourages innovation to fuel economic growth. Delaware U.S. Senator Tom Carper and Assistant Secretary of Commerce Alejandra Castillo toured an incubator space under construction at the UD's STAR Newark Friday. The space will allow businesses to develop and grow and tap into the university's talent and resources. UD's grant, which resulted from a win in the Economic Development Administration's 2021 University Center Economic Development Program competition, amounts to $509,615 over five years.

Florida

Craig Richard (president and CEO, Tampa Bay Economic Development Council) insists that hosting four championship events over the last 18 months has undoubtedly been a boon to the market. In addition to any short-term effects realized, he says the uptick in corporate relocations that have occurred since the city became known as Champa Bay will benefit the region for years to come. The Tampa Bay EDC chief reports business recruitment leads (an economic term for business development), excluding companies merely expanding their footprint within the market, are up 33% in 2021 over FY20.

Georgia

Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft is hopeful the City of Vidalia can continue being part of the Natchez Inc. economic development effort, but to do so requires changes in its contract. Vidalia joined Natchez Inc. in 2016. Its five-year contract was written specifically to accommodate Heather Malone, who was deputy director of Natchez Inc. and represented Vidalia and Concordia Parish economic development interests, Craft said. He is making arrangements to terminate Vidalia's contract with Natchez Inc. as it exists now. (Chandler Russ, Executive Director)

Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority has been recognized as one of only 67 economic development organizations accredited as an Accredited Economic Development Organization. (Stephen Adams, Executive Director)

Idaho

The Clearwater Economic Development Association has selected Dodd Snodgrass as its new executive director. Snodgrass will be replacing Christine Frei on Oct. 1. Snodgrass, a Lewiston native, has a 27-year background in community and economic development. He worked as the economic planner for the Clearwater Economic Development Association from 1994 to 2001, and spent 16 years at the Port of Bellingham in economic development.

Illinois

How the Mount Pulaski Economic Development & Planning Board helped start a local grocery co-op in their rural small town.

By a 4-1 vote, the Kankakee City Council's Economic Development Committee instructed the city's legal department to draft an ordinance stopping any additional video gaming locations for a period of six months as they plan a deep dive into what is appropriate when it comes to locating any future video gaming businesses.

Bourdeau-Griffin Interiors & Architectural Supplies, received $1.9 million for a business hub and development center, while Omni Ecosystems will receive $2 million for a green infrastructure and business incubator through the state's Rebuild Illinois Regional Economic Development program.

If Danville were a math equation, there would be more pluses than minuses. That's the opinion of many of those who were asked how the city is doing these days. The pluses: Area parks that are second to none, demolition of dilapidated buildings, construction of a multimillion-dollar Carle facility, the promise of a new casino and the presence of a police chief who seems to be getting things done and is not afraid to work with community leaders. (Vermilion Advantage Economic Development and Chamber of Commerce Director Tim Dudley)

A city of Geneva electric substation is among the 11 local governments, economic development organizations and non-for-profits to receive a share of $16.5 million in Rebuild Illinois capital grants awarded Tuesday to fuel continued economic development across the state. (Sylvia Garcia, Acting Director of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity)

Rock Island Economic Growth Corp. was awarded $1.5 million of Rebuild Illinois funds on Tuesday, which will complete the Phase 1 of Growth's multiphase redevelopment of Shimer Square in Mount Carroll, Ill. (President/CEO Brian Hollenback)

Rebuild Illinois awarded $40 million to the Cairo Port District to develop an enormous river port along the Mississippi River at Cairo. (Larry Klein, chairman)

Seven years after construction began, a grand opening for a new 100,000-square-foot mega church on Chicago's South Side will take place next week as its pastor seeks to use the building to boost more economic development for the South Side.

Indiana

Our Southern Indiana Regional Development Authority is set to submit an application to the state on Tuesday requesting a portion of $500 million being offered statewide to promote strategic investments. (President and CEO of One Southern Indiana Wendy Dant Chesser)

A project to invest half a billion dollars in the Hoosier state is poised to enter a new phase on Sept. 30 as Indiana considers ideas to improve the state's "quality of place," "quality of life" and "quality of opportunity," including numerous proposals from Indiana University developed in close collaborations with economic development partners across Indiana.

Muncie and east central Indiana have been hard hit by plant closings over the past two decades, such as a Chevrolet plant that employed thousands which closed in 2006 and BorgWarner leaving the area in 2009. But there is optimism that the recent groundbreaking of Poland-based CANPACK's $380 million aluminum can manufacturing facility in Muncie, which could create up to 350 jobs over two years, is part of a turnaround and a diversifying of the economy. (Jay Julian, chief economic development officer of the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance)

TIP Strategies has its work cut out for it. The Austin, Texas, consultant, has two Sept. 30 deadlines affecting Northeast Indiana projects. The consultancy group is doing triple-duty for the region. It's working on Greater Fort Wayne Inc.'s Economic Development Action Plan, Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission's strategic plan and Northeast Indiana Regional Development Authority's Regional Economic Acceleration & Development Initiative application. The latter could bring up to $50 million to the region for projects. (Mike Galbraith, Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership)

Iowa

Iowa cities are leveraging local, and state resources to spur new housing development and fuel the economy. (Beth Bilyeu, executive director of Forest City Economic Development; Debi Durham, Iowa Economic Development Authority; Joe Murphy, executive director, Iowa Business Council)

At the Perry City Council meeting this past Monday there were more tax abatement applications for resident construction approved signaling more development in Perry.

The Warren County Economic Development Corporation's Small Business Grant Contest final presentation will be next week, with finalists in both the existing business and start-up business categories. (Executive Director Rachel Gocken)

Kansas

The Ardmore Chamber of Commerce, Ardmore Development Authority, and Ardmore Tourism Authority today announced that William P. Bill Murphy, CEcD, EDFP, has been named as president/CEO effective January 1, 2022. As president/CEO, he will work with the Chamber Board of Directors and ADA and ATA Boards of Trustees to lead the three organizations. This appointment comes upon the retirement of Mita A. Bates - current president/CEO of the organizations who has served these organizations for over 18 years -- on December 31, 2021.

Federally funded infrastructure investments and opportunities don't stop at state borders. That's why 10 Heartland states - Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin - are gathering agricultural, transportation and technology stakeholders together for the first-ever virtual Heartland's HomeField Advantage Conference. The virtual conference will bring together public- and private-sector leaders in those three sectors at 10 a.m. Oct. 15 via Zoom. The goal, according to the Kansas departments of Agriculture and Transportation, is to identify strategies for how we can leverage investments in infrastructure and technology to build stronger communities throughout the Heartland.

Economic Development leaders in Junction City have unveiled a new pilot program called Junction for Military / Civilian Innovation. This program will be designed to help soldiers departing Fort Riley transition to high paying in-demand type jobs of the future, and could convince some of those Soldiers and their families to remain in the local area as a result. The consulting firm, Initiatives Inc., has been collaborating with Chamber of Commerce economic development officials, Fort Riley, private companies and regional universities on this project, with a goal of eventually rolling it out to other military installations across Kansas and the nation.  (Harvey County Economic Development Council, executive director Mickey Fornaro-Dean)

Louisiana

A south Florida-based tire recycling company will open in a facility near Sunset, a move that would create 55-65 jobs. The economic impact of the job creation is going to be significant, said Bill Rodier, director of the St. Landry Economic Development office.

Mandi Mitchell, the assistant secretary for Louisiana Economic Development will be the new head of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority after the organization's board of commissioners voted Thursday. The board unanimously chose Mitchell as its new CEO following a nationwide search. Gregg Gothreaux, who has led LEDA for 26 years, announced in June that he would be retiring this year.  What we know about her.

Jeff Davis Parish has begun efforts to become a Louisiana Development Ready Communities. Administered by the Louisiana Economic Development (LED), the program helps participants prepare and become more competitive in attracting new businesses and jobs to an area and expanding economic development and investments. (Parish Economic Development Tourism Commission and Chamber of Commerce Director Creed Romano)

Maryland

Equality and inclusion are front and center in the Baltimore Development Corporation's latest economic development plan, which is currently accepting public feedback.

Michigan

In November, Detroit residents will be asked if they support the formation of a reparations committee that will research housing and economic development programs for its Black residents.

Petoskey officials are on their way to solidifying a policy to guide future economic development incentive decisions.  Following a decision last month to allow for an $84,000 tax break for developer Bob Berg to renovate two downtown properties, city council members this week began discussing an economic development incentive policy which would implement a points-based scoring system for processing similar requests in the future.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to announce that Rivian, a manufacturer of all-electric adventure vehicles, is establishing its new Rivian Service Support Operations facility in Plymouth creating 100 new high-wage jobs and investing $4.6 million into the Plymouth facilities with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. (Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund)

Across Michigan, an inadequate supply of housing has become more than a frustration - it's become an economic development challenge. So some communities are turning to an economic development tool to help solve the problem. Incentives to bring businesses to town are nothing new, but Michigan doesn't have many options to incentivize new housing, Ypsilanti Economic Development Director Joe Meyers said. The state land bank recently found one - tax increment financing - and has been urging communities to take a look.

Minnesota

At Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, since their founding in 1986, they have worked to catalyze entrepreneurial activity in their 20-county region by providing early-stage investments, traditional loans, microloans, technical assistance and mentoring of entrepreneurs. Each year SMIF invests around $2.1 million in economic development initiatives. (Tim Penny, president and CEO of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation)

Metropolitan Economic Development Association's Million Dollar Challenge - the largest Black, Indigenous, and People of Color entrepreneurial competition in the nation - has announced the winners of the fourth annual competition where five companies received $1.2 million in financial support. (Meda CEO, Alfredo Martel)

Its efforts to tear down the condemned buildings and redevelop the property have been thwarted by an appellate court decision, requiring that more efforts be made to preserve and renovate the historic structures. Duluth Economic Development Authority has argued that its good-faith efforts to find a developer willing and able to restore the buildings have proven unsuccessful to date, and demolition is now the only feasible solution. (Chris Fleege, director of Duluth's planning and economic development division)

Missouri

Lance Knuckles has joined the St. Louis Development Corporation as the SLDC Director of Strategic Growth & Development.

Nebraska

The Nebraska City City Council agreed to a two-year extension on an economic development loan for a local business that is having difficulty finding and keeping qualified employees. (Dan Mauk, Nebraska City Economic Development Revolving Loan Funds administration)

Nevada

The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon panel on "Economic Development in Lyon County" on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. Their guest panelists include the Lyon County Manager Jeff Page, the new Executive Director of Northern Nevada Development Authority, Philip Cowee, and the new director of Community Development for Lyon County, Andrew Haskin.

New Hampshire

The Greater Derry Londonderry Chamber of Commerce hosted a State of the Region Economic Update Tuesday morning at Bellavance Beverage Co. It was a snapshot of how the region is faring with economic development successes, challenges and what lies ahead in the way of growth through infrastructure, planning and continued support for business.  (Ashley Haseltine, Chamber president)

The New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs announced today the first of the Collaborative Economic Development Regions have been established to promote economic expansion post COVID. Created as part of the Granite State's Economic Recovery and Expansion Strategy, the CEDRs will deeply engage regional partners and work with the BEA on the recovery efforts.

New Jersey

The Atlantic County Economic Alliance has been chosen to lead an aviation coalition that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority will help apply for the U.S. Economic Development Administration's Build Back Better Regional Challenge.

Fair Lawn's Economic Development Corporation has achieved Main Street New Jersey designation for the borough, a distinction that makes the borough eligible for physical improvement and operational support grants, as well as other periodic opportunities. (Abigail Katznelson, president of the Fair Lawn EDC)

Officials in New Jersey have approved a nearly $10 million tax credit aimed at encouraging Party City Holdings Inc. to lease more than 200,000 square feet of office space in Woodcliff Lake. Board members for the Economic Development Authority approved the proposed tax credit award of $1.43 million per year over seven years, totaling $9.99 million, at their monthly board meeting on Wednesday, according to recorded meeting minutes. The incentive is the first of its kind awarded under the EDA's Emerge Program. (CEO Tim Sullivan)

New Mexico

The University of New Mexico and the City of Albuquerque are partnering on a new Right to Start initiative to help boost entrepreneurship among local communities. UNM Rainforest Innovations and the city's Economic Development Department are jointly financing a new $100,000, yearlong contract with the Missouri-based Right to Start organization to advance entrepreneurial creativity and business development in New Mexico as a motor force for economic development. (Right to Start founder and CEO Victor Hwang; Lisa Kuuttila, CEO and chief economic development officer for Rainforest Innovations)

An agreement to invest economic development funds into an upcoming hemp and cannabis business has been terminated by the City of Las Cruces after the company failed to meet employment criteria.  420 Valley, LLC, intended to open as a hemp and cannabidiol production center and retail shop, with indoor grow space and a cafe and taproom for infused drinks, when an investment was pledged through the Local Economic Development Act in December 2019. The city pledged $150,000 in funding, with the New Mexico Economic Development Department promising to invest $400,000. (Dr. Griselda Martinez, economic development director)

New York

Governor Kathy Hochul said Friday she will continue the competitive grant programs that have sent billions of state economic development dollars to communities, and even seek to expand them.

She also announced that Constellation Brands, a leading beverage alcohol company, will relocate its headquarters, currently based in Victor, Ontario County to the historic Aqueduct Building located along the Genesee River in downtown Rochester.

She also announced that work is underway on a new $96 million affordable housing development and conference center in downtown Ithaca. Asteri Ithaca will be constructed on the western portion of the Green Street Parking Garage, which will be demolished as part of this comprehensive urban renewal project. The highly energy-efficient, all-electric building will feature 181 affordable apartments with 40 homes reserved for people in need of supportive services to live independently.

The Buffalo Business Journal profiled the six women guiding economic development in the region: (Lisa Hicks, Director of development, Mayor's Office of Strategic Planning, Buffalo; Susan Langdon, Executive director, Niagara County Industrial Development Agency; Brandye Merriweather, President, Buffalo Urban Development Corp.; Danielle Eisen Shainbrown, President & chief business officer, McGuire Development Co. LLC; Shana Stegner, Managing director, CBRE-Buffalo; Patricia Collins, Broker/owner, Tudor Collins Commercial Real Estate)

North Carolina

The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a three-year economic grant to Intertape Polymer Corporation, which is set to bring more than two dozen jobs to the area. (Shanell Varner of the Cabarrus Economic Development Corporation)

Three North Carolina communities have been selected to receive economic development grants from T-Mobile. Over the next five years, T-Mobile plans to hire 7,500 new employees in small towns and rural communities and provide $25 million in grants for community development projects. T-Mobile partnered with Main Street America and Smart Growth America, two consulting partners with a combined experience of more than 60 years working to help build stronger, more prosperous small towns and rural communities. (Main Street America President and CEO Patrice Frey, Smart Growth America President and CEO Calvin Gladney)

Nearly 75,000 jobs - that's what's currently on the line for economic developers in North Carolina. Chris Chung, CEO of the state's top recruitment organization, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, said his team was working on 236 active recruitment and expansion projects. That's six more than a month ago.

Mickey Truck Bodies has announced plans to create 62 jobs as part of adding operations in a vacant building in High Point. The High Point Economic Development Corp. said the company projects spending $819,366 on capital investments on the 55,280-square-foot building at 1135 Foust Ave.

Buncombe County is moving forward with ambitious goals for a development project on 137 acres it owns in South Asheville, bordered by Interstate 26, the French Broad River and Ferry Road.  On Sept. 21, the Board of Commissioners voted to spend $90,000 on Phases 2 and 3 of a study by planning firm Equinox, according to Tim Love, county economic development director.

Hertford Town Council has officially endorsed a redevelopment plan aimed at promoting a mix of tourism, commerce, recreation and housing in the town's riverfront and downtown areas.

Pitt Community College is teaming with the John M. Belk Endowment, Greenville ENC Alliance and Pitt County Economic Development to hold the Better Skills, Better Jobs job fair next month. The event, scheduled for Oct. 26 at the Greenville Convention Center, will give adult jobseekers and Pitt County high school students a chance to discuss employment opportunities with area business and industry representatives. Information on community resources that can help people prepare for those careers will also be available. (David Horn, Greenville ENC Alliance Director of Investor and Community Relations; Kelly Andrews, Executive Director of Pitt County Economic Development)

Ohio

Dirty Girl Coffee, in collaboration with JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast Economic Development and the Athens County Economic Development Council, has announced the company is investing at least $149,958 to renovate a building on High Street in Glouster where it will expand its coffee roasting operation. A $50,000 grant was provided through the JobsOhio Inclusion Grant program, which supports smaller businesses in economically distressed areas and with owners in traditionally disadvantaged groups. The program requires new job creation and capital investment and business activity in an eligible sector such as manufacturing, distribution or technology. (Mike Jacoby, OhioSE President)

Mike Hedberg, Manager of Orrville Industrial Development wrote an editorial supporting the renewal of a 0.5-mill permanent improvement levy for the Wayne County Schools Career Center.

Development officials say allowing housing and restaurants at Kettering Business Park and Miami Valley Research Park reflects a desire for more convenience for businesses and workers. Blending those uses at job centers is a national trend on which Kettering aims to capitalize, the city's economic development manager Amy Schrimpf said.

Oklahoma

The seatbelt, the internet, rocket fuel, chemotherapy drugs and even Gatorade all came from universities. In fact, countless technologies had some type of university involvement in their creation or development. For Oklahoma State University, the new bridge for that development will be Cowboy Innovations, which will allow technologies and ideas developed at OSU to make an impact on the world. OSU, like other universities, is constantly generating novel ideas, said Zach Miles, senior associate vice president for technology and economic development. Those ideas will now go through Cowboy Innovations, where they can grow into something that will impact the state and the nation.

A labor shortage and supply chain disruptions continue to hamper Oklahoma's economy as it tries to shrug off the lingering effects of COVID-19, but the state's top economic development officer says he expects some pretty big explosions in GDP over the next couple of years. Personally, I'm very bullish on where we're headed as a state, mainly because I'm seeing the companies that are going to grow here and the ones that are wanting to locate here, Oklahoma Department of Commerce Executive Director Brent Kisling told a legislative panel.

An economic development venture announced earlier this summer may come to fruition this week. The City Council will consider a recommendation from city staff Tuesday to approve an agreement for economic development assistance with Cache Road Properties, the developer of what will become the Mathis Center in the 4800 block of Cache Road. That development, estimated at $16 million in its first phase, is expected to hold at least three retailers related to furniture and home furnishings under the Mathis Brothers umbrella.

Oregon

The Lake Oswego City Council held a joint meeting with the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce Sept. 22 to discuss an economic strategy, and the council expressed general support of the recommendations put forth by the chamber.  Additionally, consultant Mary Bosch gave a presentation on the local economic development ecosystem and shared what other cities are doing to approach this topic. (Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Liz Hartman, Jay Haladay, the chamber's vice president)

Pennsylvania

Arnold Council is mulling over a couple of ideas that could boost economic development and community involvement in the city, including a brewery, a restaurant, a beer museum, marina, and a farmer's market.

Gerald Driggs and David Rankin (executive director, non-profit Faith Community Partners) are the forces behind an upper Allegheny community development corporation which aims to revitalize Harrison, Taretum, Brackenridge and other local towns.

South Dakota

500 acres of land on the outskirts of Rapid City will be turned into a multi-million dollar factory, producing batteries for data centers and the 5G telecom market. AEsir will be the first to build in the new Rushmore Industrial complex, and could bring more than 1,000 jobs. (Matt Brunner, Economic Development Director for Elevate Rapid City)

Tennessee

The City of Lakeland Economic Development Council is considering hiring a firm that specializes in providing demographic data to cities looking to recruit retailers and businesses to their towns.

Anna Beth Walker, director of Claiborne County Economic & Community Development, has just been certified by the state as a developer - an important first for the county.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, which operates all 56 Tennessee State Parks and 84 state natural areas, announced the launch of an economic development initiative to grow tourism in rural, distressed counties in Tennessee by leveraging the economic potential of state lands. Outdoor recreation is a major business in Tennessee, comprising almost $9 billion of the state's gross domestic product and accounting for over 106,000 jobs. (David Salyers, TDEC Commissioner)

Florim USA, an Italian ceramic tile manufacturer is planning a $35 million expansion, including 30 new jobs, in the Clarksville-Montgomery County Corporate Business Park. (Buck Dellinger, CEO Clarksville-Montgomery County EDC; Shea Hopkins, executive director Clarksville-Montgomery County Industrial Development Board; John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development)

Turnover spurred the Launch Tennessee board, run by state's economic development chief Bob Rolfe, to seek Van Tucker's resignation as CEO. LaunchTN now is searching for its fourth CEO in three-plus years.

Texas

The inaugural Women in Leadership Awards was hosted by the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce at the Doyle Convention Center in Texas City.  A large crowd of 300 guests attended, all of the 18 finalists were highlighted, 6 winners were celebrated. (Page Michel, Chamber President; Colleen Martin, La Marque Economic Development Corp.)

The Bastrop City Council unanimously approved a request by the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation to spend $94,300 to contract a public utility company to conduct a feasibility wastewater study on the growing western stretches of the city.  (Genora Young, interim director BEDC)

The Kilgore City Council has approved a motion from Kilgore Economic Development Corp. to appoint Brad George to serve the unexpired term of KEDC Vice President Bobby Beane. (Lisa Denton, Director of KEDC; Jill McCartney, President & CEO Kilgore Area Chamber of Commerce)

The Texas Economic Development Council has announced that the Odessa Chamber of Commerce is the recipient of its annual Community Economic Development Awards for communities its size in the state of Texas for 2021. (Renee Earls, President and CEO, Odessa Chamber of Commerce; Carlton Schwab, President/CEO TEDC)

The Yoakum Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors recognized outgoing board member Anita "Annie" R. Rodriguez at its Sept. 20 meeting for more than a quarter-century of service to the economic development needs of the Yoakum community, according to a news release. In 1994, Rodriquez was appointed to the Yoakum Economic Development Committee, the predecessor of the economic development corporation.

A new mixed-use development is planned at the Central Freight Lines complex in Waco. (Kris Collins, senior vice president for economic development Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce)

In a new video series, Harlingen Economic Development Corporation will introduce the many ways the organization works within the community in order to make it a better place to live, work, play, and do business. (Raudel Garza, Manager and Chief Executive Officer Harlingen EDC; Selene Guerrero, marketing manager Harlingen EDC)

A group of Deep East Texas business leaders got together Friday with the goal of growing the local economy and attracting more business. Texas Forest Country Partnership provided attendees with information to help them further develop their workforces.  (Nancy Windham, CEO Texas Forest Country Partnership; Eddie Hopkins, executive director Jasper Economic Development Corporation)

The Denton Economic Development Partnership is losing another top executive. Cory Lacy, vice president of economic development, will leave the position to pursue other professional opportunities. The move comes just days after city staff announced that Jessica Rogers, director of economic development, would leave the EDP. Denton Chamber of Commerce President Erin Carter will step into Lacy's role temporarily as transition plans are developed.

The city of Elgin entered into an economic development agreement with Carr Lane, a Missouri aerospace manufacturer for the development of a manufacturing facility. The city will offer a $272,250 rebate, along with $100,000 to cover property taxes and closing costs. Carr Lane would in turn construct a $7 million manufacturing facility, and create 65 jobs. (Owen Rock, director Elgin EDC)

The Knauf Group announced the expansion of Knauf Insulation North America with a 600,000 square feet facility to be constructed in McGregor, Texas. (Matthew Meadors, President/CEO Greater Waco Chamber; Kris Collins, SVP for Economic Development Greater Waco Chamber, Andrew Smith, director McGregor Economic Development Corporation; Edgar Padilla, TSTC Provost)

The McAllen-Reynosa area is about to benefit from McAllen Economic Development Corporation's focus on China. Most of the enquires McAllen is getting from Asia are from manufacturing companies. (Jorge Torres, president and founder of InterLink Trade Services; Keith Patridge, President and CEO McAllen Economic Development Corporation)

RanchLand Foods, an Arizona-based meat production company that had reached a deal with Denton's Economic Development Partnership Board for an incentives package is now the subject of a police investigation. (Kevin Holzbog executive director, Decatur Economic Development Corporation; Christina Williams, Economic Development Coordinator at City of Lewisville; Jessica Rogers, director, Denton Economic Development; Dale Petroskey, president and CEO Dallas Regional Chamber)

Utah

In Utah, outdoor recreation contributes roughly $6.4 billion to the economy and employs 83,000 people. It is also recognized as the primary driver of Utah's budding tourism industry.
That is why former Utah Governor Gary Herbert established the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation, a first of its kind in the United States.

The Logan metro area's unemployment rate currently sits at 1.8%, the lowest in the entire nation, compared to the nation's rate of 5.2%. But, low unemployment rates can cause issues for the economy and business growth - especially for Cache Valley.(Josh Smith, research manager USU's Center for Growth and Opportunity; Jason Furman, economic adviser for President Barack Obama; Shawn Milne, Cache Valley Regional Economic Development Director)

In the early weeks of the pandemic, many Parkites feared the health crisis could topple the local economy. A year and a half later, it's clear that nothing approximating a worst-case scenario ultimately materialized. Businesses reopened. Tourists came in the summer and again in the winter. Ski season not only happened but surpassed most expectations. The Park City economy, in short, proved remarkably resilient. (Jonathan Weidenhamer, Park City's economic development manager; Jennifer Wesselhoff, president and CEO Park City/Chamber Bureau)

Virginia

Global Concentrate, a New Jersey-bases supplier is investing millions of dollars in the City of Franklin. The company will invest $121 million and create 50 new full-time jobs. (Karl Heck, president and CEO Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc.; Doug Smith, president and CEO Hampton Roads Alliance; Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director Virginia Port Authority)

The current economic COVID-19 forecast data for Winchester and Frederick County shows an expected 10,765 new jobs in addition to the current 60,879 jobs in that area. (Patrick Barker, Executive Director of the Frederick County Economic Development Authority; Jenna French, Shenandoah County's Director of Tourism and Marketing)

Warren County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the creation of the Warren County Office of Economic Development. They will also investigate the feasibility of a joint Front Royal-Warren County Office of Economic Development. The Front Royal-Warren County EDA is in the process of searching for an executive director to replace Douglas Parsons and an administrative assistant to replace Gretchen Henderson.

Prince William shopping centers are adapting to demographic changes. The success or failure of shopping centers is often driven by the communities around them. Facilities in wealthier areas are typically doing better than those in poorer areas. As Baby Boomers die and millennials and Gen Z become the dominant consumer base, shopping centers are continuously adapting. (Stephanie Cegielski, vice president of research and public relations with the International Council of Shopping Centers; Christina Winn, executive director Prince William County's Economic Development Department)

The Orange County Economic Development office announced last week a revolving loan fund program aimed to provide a flexible source of supplemental financing for businesses expanding or locating to Orange County. (Rose Deal, Orange County Economic Development Director; Stephen Davis, President Community Investment Collaborative)

Washington

The city of Wenatchee is partnering with an Alabama company to bring development to 8.75 acres. City council approved a memorandum of understanding with RAM Development Partners, LLC, that gives RAM a year of exclusive rights to market the property. At the end of that year, the company is expected to propose a development plan for the entire property. (Alyce Brown, executive director, North Central Washington Economic Development District)

Thurston Economic Development Council's current board member, Jace Munson works hard to build up the region's businesses. (Michael Cade, executive director EDC; Dennis Matson, former executive director)

Snohomish County's combined economic development organization and chamber of commerce has approved a five-year action plan to drive growth and economic vitality. (Garry Clark, president & CEO Economic Alliance Snohomish County; Dave Somers, Snohomish County Executive; Joy Emory, CEO Workforce Snohomish)

Thurston Economic Development Council Board member Charlie Schneider's life is about serving others. He is working with EDC Executive Director Michael Cade to get more small-, family- and minority-owned businesses in Tumwater.

West Virginia

In November, Christy Laxton will celebrate her 20th year at the Wyoming County Economic Development Authority. In December, she will mark her 16th year as its executive director. I am excited about what has happened during my tenure here, Laxton said. Laura Roberts-Lambert is also celebrating her 20th year at the EDA soon and we have worked hand-in-hand with everything that has happened here.

Sen. Joe Manchin could be the deciding vote on the reconciliation bill that would help fund infrastructure projects and a wide array of social programs. The senator expressed his concerns about the bill's price tag, yet failed to acknowledge that delaying the reconciliation bill and jeopardizing the infrastructure bill is a dangerous move that could end up costing the entire country, as well as the people of West Virginia.

The Preston County Economic Development Authority board of directors recently approved short and long-term goals. (PCEDA Executive Director Robbie Baylor)

The Region VI Planning and Development Council, including Taylor County, is developing a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for growth in the post-Covid economy. (Sheena Hunt, executive director Region VI Planning & Dev. Council)

Allen Staggers has joined Marion Regional Development Corp. as executive director.

Wisconsin

The Latino Chamber of Commerce of Southeast Wisconsin Inc. focused on economic recovery after the pandemic and improving entrepreneurial opportunities during its second annual Latino Unsummit held Friday. (Nelson Soler)

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