68 - Economic Development and Developers in the News

Welcome to the 68th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News.  Today's issue contains news from 128 economic development executives and organizations in 30 states, Canada, New Zealand, and the US Virgin Islands.

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The Econ Dev Show is a podcast, weekday email newsletter, and blog of actionable strategies, fresh news, insights, and ideas from the economic development community and your host, Dane Carlson.

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Arizona

The City of Peoria announced yet another development project in the P83 Entertainment District, bringing a highly sought-after destination dining district and restaurant concepts to Peoria. The P83 Entertainment District is a key investment zone for facilitating economic development activities, as outlined in Peoria’s Economic Development Implementation Strategy. (Jen Stein, Peoria’s Economic Development Services Director)

Az Business and AZRE magazines announced the publications’ lists of the Most Influential Women in Arizona of 2022, including Suzanne Boyles, director of the Economic Development Department for the City of Buckeye.

Arkansas

The Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County recently partnered with Arkansas Economics to host Industry Day, an event aimed at connecting educators to industry. Area teachers toured two Jefferson County manufacturing facilities to get an in-depth look at what jobs are available in the area and what skillset is needed to perform those duties.

After an extensive national search, the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce has named Shelley Short, IOM as the new CEO.

California

Walnut Creek hit the reset button: The once-sleepy town nestled near the base of Mount Diablo has flourished into a premiere destination for food, art, culture and commerce. “It’s amazing what kind of name recognition Walnut Creek has developed over the years,” says Teri Killgore, the city’s economic development director and assistant city manager.

The Economic Development committee of the Greater Escondido Chamber of Commerce will host guest speaker Jennifer Schoeneck, the city’s deputy director of economic development.

The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation has released the 2022 Santa Clarita Valley Business Survey Results. The publication is now available for download. Local companies positively rate the business climate and quality of life in the Santa Clarita Valley. That’s the key takeaway from the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation’s 2022 Business Survey of 155 companies.

Colorado

John Bristol, executive director of the Routt County Economic Development Partnership, gave a presentation to Steamboat Springs City Council on Tuesday, July 5, and used a chart to demonstrate that Routt County's economy is not as diversified as the United States as a whole.

Connecticut

The development of the former Ruby Tuesday into a Chipotle and Starbucks is moving forward, say Bristol economic development leaders, but the opening of a Dairy Queen is “temporarily on hold.” (Justin Malley, Bristol economic development director)

Indiana

Ukraine’s Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling team is relocating to Indiana to train this summer. The team arrived in the state on Thursday. Gov. Eric Holcomb met with a Ukrainian ambassador in Washington, D.C., earlier this year, shortly after Russia invaded the country. A grant from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is funding travel and other arrangements for the Ukrainian team.

Kansas

The Bourbon County Regional Economic Development staff is growing.  The organization recently added three new staff members: Emily Diebolt, Grants Manager; Suzette Torres, Projects and Marketing Assistant; and Tayton Majors, Special Projects and Marketing Intern.  They join Mark McCoy, Small Business Development Director; and Director Robert Harrington.  They share space with Jackson Tough, who works for the City of Fort Scott as Public Relations and Tourism Director.

Louisiana

St. John the Baptist Parish President Jaclyn Hotard and St. John Economic Development Director Stanley Bienemy, Wayne Aucoin, FastTrac Administrator, Tatiana Bruce with Louisiana Economic Development, former graduates, and a host of family and friends were on hand for a FastTrac Graduation Ceremony honoring the 2021 and 2022 class. The small business course, funded through a cooperative endeavor agreement with St. John Economic Development, LED, and other partners includes facilitated activities and discussions, guest speakers, networking, coaching sessions, and action steps to help small business owners grow.

Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission released their annual report for 2021. (Jerry Bologna JEDCO President and CEO)

Maine

Lacking an economic development director for the past decade has not stopped Caribou’s leaders and entrepreneurs from trying to solve the city’s biggest economic dilemma: attracting and retaining businesses. But critics say their efforts are not enough.  City Manager Penny Thompson has been handling economic development, but planning board members want someone full time.

Maryland

Lara Fritts was promoted to Chief Operating Officer at Community Redevelopment, Inc.

Massachusetts

The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission is seeking information on high priority economic development programs in the Berkshires to be included in the region’s 2023-2027 Comprehensive Economic Development strategy.

The city of Attleboro’s Economic Development Office plans to replace “way-finding” signs and is seeking public input on the effort.“ (Kaylyn Lockyer, community engagement manager)

Michigan

Since he joined what would become Networks Northwest in 2004, Matt McCauley has had an old-school solar calculator on his desk. McCauley said he uses the calculator on a daily basis in his position at Networks Northwest, the last four as CEO.  McCauley’s trusty calculator helped crunch numbers vital to the business and economic development in 10 northern Michigan counties. In a month, the calculations will follow McCauley into a similar role with a new organization.  McCauley will become the Senior Vice President of Regional Prosperity at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation on Aug. 22.

Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced a new Office of Public Engagement. The Office will focus on targeted outreach and engagement efforts on DEED’s programs. In particular, it will connect with populations in Minnesota hit hardest by racial and other disparities in employment. (DEED Commissioner Steve Grove)

Missouri

Lincoln County Economic Development held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the organizations new office space. (Julie Rodgers, Director)

Nebraska

The Nebraska City City Council took preliminary steps Tuesday night to purchase 27 acres of land for a potential workforce housing development. (Dan Mauk, Executive Director, Nebraska City Area Economic Development Corp.)

Nevada

The Western Nevada Development District board of directors approved the 2022 update to its Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, ensuring that the region has a roadmap to progress and prosperity. (Naomi Duerr, President, WNDD; Christine Brandon, Executive Director, WNDD)

New Jersey

A new collaborative effort, comprised of city organizers and community groups, is launching ‘A Summer of Food Justice’ this week. The initiative comes after a February New Jersey Economic Development Authority report ranked the city among its top 20 worst food desert communities across the state. (Tim Sullivan, CEO, New Jersey Economic Development Authority; Michele Alonso, Director of Planning & Redevelopment, Asbury Park Green Team)

New Mexico

Los Alamos County Economic Development Administrator Dan Ungerleider is helping businesses find resources.

New York

The Oswego County Legislature’s Economic Development and Planning Committee presented a certificate of recognition to students from Oswego High School as the winning team of the 2022 Oswego County Envirothon.

After nearly 40 years of leading Operation Oswego County, Inc., L. Michael Treadwell plans to retire. Treadwell joined Operation Oswego County in 1983 and has served as executive director throughout his tenure. The local, non-profit economic development corporation has helped to stimulate more than $5 billion in investment and helped create and retain more than 29,000 jobs in Oswego County. (Chena Tucker, Executive Director, Oswego County Workforce Development Board; Ryan Silva, Executive Director, New York State Economic Development Council; James Fayle, Regional Director, Central New York Regional Economic Development Council; Rhonda Pointon, President and CEO, National Association of Development Companies)

North Carolina

Economic developers trying to lure aerospace giants such as Boeing, Airbus and BAE Systems to North Carolina are heading across the Atlantic this month. The North Carolina Department of Commerce confirms Secretary Machelle Sanders will be in the U.K. for the Farnborough Airshow along with Chief Deputy Secretary Jordan Whichard. The event is held outside London, is one of the world’s largest aerospace and defense exhibitions.

North Dakota

The City of Minot reviewed and updated their guidelines for the MAGIC Fund. (Brekka Kramer, President, Minot Area Chamber EDC)

Ohio

The newly approved Dayton Region Comprehensive Development Strategy is required to get certain federal funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. (Brian O. Martin, Executive Director, Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission; Jeff Hoagland, President & CEO, Dayton Development Coalition; Stacy Schweikhart, Director of Strategy & Engagemenet, MVRPC)

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown attended a roundtable discussion in Brunswick City Hall to speak with economic and business leaders in Medina County. (Debbie Boehmke, Executive Director, Northern Medina County Chamber Alliance; Kimberly Marshall, Director, Medina Economic Development)

Pennsylvania

The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance and Pottsville Area Development Corporation appointed Alvernia University Vice President of Research, Economic Development and Innovation, Dr. Rodney S. Ridley Sr. to their boards of directors. (Jim Gerlach, President & CEO, GRCA; Savas Logothetides, Executive Director, PADCO)

South Carolina

J.R. Charles is joining the City of Mauldin as its next Community Development Director.

Tennessee

Bob Rolfe completed his final day as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

Texas

Gov. Abbott appointed Adrian Cannady, Temple Economic Development Corporation CEO, to the state economic board of directors.

The UTSA Texas South-West Small Business Development Center Network will present Texas Rural Challenge. This will be the 12th year of the TRC, an event dedicated to helping rural Texans grow their local economies. (Thomas Tunstall, Senior Research Director, UTSA Institute for Economic Development)

The City of Sherman is transforming into a key U.S. hub for semiconductor manufacturing, made possible by natural resources, infrastructure and savvy local leadership, but also by a business-friendly tradition dating back decades. (Kent Sharp, President, Sherman Economic Development Corp.; Michael Savoie, Professor of Operations and Supply-Chain Management, University of North Texas' Ryan College of Business)

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration awarded a $1.5 million federal grant to the City of Laredo to help build a two-mile road as part of the Springfield Avenue Extension. (Miriam Castillo, Interim Director of Economic Development, City of Laredo)

Utah

Utah has been offering a tax break for alternative energy projects for a decade, but the state has never paid out a dime for this program. The Alternative Energy Development Incentive was set up to allow companies to keep up to 75% of state tax revenue generated by the projects for 20 years.  (Harry Hansen, Communications Director, Utah Office of Energy Development)

Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority approved a $7 million budget for 2023.

Virginia

Stafford Economic Development and Tourism Director John Holden talked about Smart Stafford, Cyber4+, the Virginia Smart Community Testbed and upcoming events.

West Virginia

Ray Smith is the new director of the Lewis County Economic Development Authority. Administrator Cindy Whetsell had previously served in that position.

Judy Moore has been named Deputy Director of Operations of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s community action association, WISCAP, received a $4.8 million award through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s second round of the Workforce Innovation Grant Program, which aims to create solutions to Wisconsin’s healthcare workforce challenges.

Canada

The first electric boat to set sail on the Canadian market was welcomed by Kingston on the weekend. Voltari Electric and the Kingston Economic Development Corporation hosted a launch event at Confederation Park on Friday. At the event, the company introduced its Voltari First 260 electric boat. (Shelley Hirstwood, director of business development at KEDCO)

A City of Kawartha Lakes project to create a cultural hub in Kawartha Lakes is one step closer to a reality after council gave the green light on next steps during their June meeting. (Donna Goodwin, Economic Development Officer)

Demetri Makrakos, economic development officer for the Township of North Huron, prepared two in-depth reports for council – one updating them on the recruitment of health professionals in the Wingham area, and the other a detailed plan of action for his newly created position.

Dan Taylor is the new President and CEO of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership.

New Zealand

Eight teams of students were selected to take part in the inaugural Canterbury Economic Development Challenge to enhance economic development in the region. (Ali Adams, Chief Executive, ChristchurchNZ; Gerard Quinn, Director, UC Centre for Entrepreneurship; Heather Warwick, CEO, Enterprise North Canterbury; Nick Bryan, Acting GM Strategy, Insights and Policy, ChristchurchNZ; Dr Kuntal Das, Associate Head of Department of Economics and Finance, University of Canterbury)

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