Economic Development and Developers in the News # 148
Econ dev news from 102 economic development executives and organizations in 26 states.
Welcome to the 148th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News.
Today's issue contains news from 102 economic development executives and organizations in 26 states.
If this is your first time reading: Hello!
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. The Econ Dev Show is brought to you by Sitehunt.
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Alabama
McKinsey & Company, Troy University, and Alabama A&M University are working together to create a strategic economic growth plan for Alabama. They are studying sectors for growth and gain input from industry leaders. The plan will focus on innovation, business retention, expansion, and business attraction. Former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice’s Hoover Institution will also contribute to the project. Secretary McNair, along with Greg Barker, Bill Poole, and Dr. David Bronner, are the leaders of this project. They aim to finish the plan by October 1st to replace the Accelerate Alabama plan from 2012.
California
The city of Tracy recently hired Forrest Ebbs as its new Director of Community and Economic Development after a thorough nationwide search.
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities has recognized UC Riverside as an Innovation & Economic Prosperity university. (Rodolfo Torres, UCR’s vice chancellor for Research and Economic Development)
Georgia
The Savannah Economic Development Authority has unveiled the name of its upcoming regional workforce organization: RISE (Regional Industry Support Enterprise). The reveal was made by Anna Chafin, now the President and CEO of RISE, and Justin Farquhar, Vice President of Workforce at RISE.
Illinois
Andrea Zopp, the CEO of World Business Chicago, will join the Chicago Bears as a senior adviser on a part-time basis.
Indiana
Indiana Governor, Eric Holcomb, has reported progress in the state’s economic development during an international trip to Brazil and Mexico. The trip focused on developing growth in the agbioscience and agricultural economy. Sponsored by the Indiana Economic Development Foundation, the goal is to advance trade, innovation and investment in these sectors, which contribute $58.1 billion to Indiana’s economy.
The Economic Development Corporation Michigan City has hired Tristan Gaston as a special projects coordinator.
Neil Mylet, a Purdue graduate and advocate for rural communities, aims to increase economic opportunities in his hometown of Camden. He plans to turn his town into a center for innovation and entrepreneurship by creating a technology hub and coworking space. This area would provide high speed internet, access to remote work, educational opportunities, and mentorship. The first part of the project is a computer lab, set to open by 2025. Neil’s objective is to connect this hub to startups nationwide and create long-term economic sustainability for rural communities.
Iowa
Iowa State University’s Economic Development and Industry Relations team, in partnership with Iowa State Extension, is pursuing innovation and economic prosperity. It has a statewide impact through support from the Center for Industrial Research and Service, aiding businesses through the Technology Investment Grant program.
Stuart Economic Development and Midwest Partnership are working together to host the EmpowerHer Summit. The event aims to support women entrepreneurs. Midwest Partnership Executive Director Brenda Dudley and IEDA Director Debi Durham will be speaking at the event.
The city of Grimes has hired its first-ever economic development director, Katie Lord, to manage the city’s rapid growth.
Stellar Industries, an Iowa-based manufacturing company, has grown from three employees to over 800 since its inception in 1990, thanks to support from the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State. CIRAS, under the leadership of Director Mike O’Donnell, has assisted more than 4,600 businesses across Iowa, creating over 38,000 jobs and generating an economic impact of over $3.1 billion over five years.
Kentucky
Kentucky’s Economic Development strategy, nicknamed the “Collaborative Blueprint”, aims to sustain recent state-wide business growth by improving collaboration and efficiency among local and state officials. The plan has been in development since Economic Development Secretary Jeff Noel and Governor Andy Beshear started discussing it two years ago. (CEO/President of Greater Louisville Inc., Sarah Davasher-Wisdom)
At a FOCUS board meeting, state and county officials celebrated secured funding for economic development in Eastern Kentucky. Executive Director Tal Jones expressed his happiness over projects worth more than $48 million.
Bowling Green, Kentucky has been recognized as number one for its economic development projects by Site Selection Magazine in its 2023 Governor’s Cups. (Ron Bunch, president of Bowling Green’s Area Chamber of Commerce)
