Economic Development and Developers in the News # 173
Econ dev news from 56 economic development executives and organizations in 23 states.
Welcome to the 173rd weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News.
Today's issue contains news from 56 economic development executives and organizations in 23 states.
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The Econ Dev Show is a podcast and email newsletter actionable strategies, fresh news, insights, and ideas from the economic development community and your host, Dane Carlson.
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Financial Times: FT Specialist Launches FT Locations for Portfolio of Economic Development Data & Tools
FT Specialist, a division within the FT Group, has launched FT Locations, a full-service portfolio for location intelligence solutions. The new brand brings together 16 premium products and services, including fDi Markets, ZoomProspector, Amplify, and others.
FT Locations helps governments and organizations make informed investment decisions by providing cutting-edge data, mapping tools, and strategic insights for the foreign and domestic direct investment industry. Currently, FT Locations serves 1,800 clients across 500 organizations in more than 90 countries globally.
The rebrand follows a number of strategic acquisitions in recent years, including GIS Planning in 2017 and the product and consulting assets of Wavteq in 2023, both of which now sit in the new portfolio of tools and services.
Alaska
Jared Reynolds was appointed as the new executive director of the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development, bringing over a decade of experience from his previous role at Do North Coworking in Vermont, where he developed a forestry accelerator program.
Arizona
Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project, and Tucson Electric Power awarded $125,000 in economic development grants to three Northern Arizona municipalities to aid in developing sustainable economic strategies as coal-fired power plants transition away. The grants support initiatives in Eagar, Page, and St. Johns, focusing on grant writing, infrastructure improvements, and long-range planning with assistance from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
Arkansas
Mike Malone, vice chancellor of economic development at the University of Arkansas, outlined efforts within the research sector to stimulate economic growth and job creation, highlighting the university's commitment to advancing regional development through strategic research and collaboration.
The Greenwood Economic Development Committee convened to strategize on the city's growth, discussing attracting new residents and leveraging the impact of the Ebbing Air Base and the 85th Fighter Wing's involvement in the Foreign Military Sales Program.
At the annual Arkansas Economic Forecast Conference, economists Tara Sinclair and Michael Pakko presented a positive outlook for the U.S. and Arkansas economies despite potential risks like tariffs and housing market fluctuations, highlighting robust growth since the pandemic. Economic development in Arkansas, particularly in Central Arkansas led by the Little Rock Port Authority.
Arkansas announced a $48 million workforce development grant initiative, with 19 organizations, mainly colleges and universities, receiving funds through the Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development program as part of efforts led by the state Department of Commerce and Workforce Connections.
The Delta Regional Authority selected 35 community leaders, including five Arkansans, for the 2025 Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy, aiming to enhance leadership skills and facilitate economic development in the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions. Notable Arkansas participants include Allison Hestand from the Economic Development Corporation of Paragould and Amy Williams from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
California
Laura James was appointed as CEO of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, where she has been instrumental since 2014.
The Long Beach Economic Partnership was honored by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation at the 29th Annual Eddy Awards, highlighting the commitment to strengthening the economy through a recent Memorandum of Understanding.
The University of California, Riverside was designated as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, recognizing its commitment to economic engagement through initiatives in technology and workforce development.
Colorado
The Economic Development Council of Colorado honored Durango as the Small Community of the Year for its exemplary economic leadership, innovative housing efforts, and increased arts funding.
The City of Boulder announced Sarah Wood as the new leader of the Boulder Small Business Development Center.
Florida
The Lakeland Economic Development Council celebrated 40 years of fostering economic growth in Lakeland, by diversifying the economy and reducing unemployment after setbacks in industries like phosphate mining and citrus farming.
Georgia
A new Kroger Marketplace set to open in Barrow County in spring 2026 is anticipated to generate 250-300 jobs, providing a notable economic boost, according to Barrow County’s Economic Development Director Ben McDaniel.
Idaho
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality finalized land transfers and a renewable lease agreement at the Bunker Hill Superfund Site, collaborating with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the city of Kellogg, and Silver Valley Economic Development Corporation to allocate nearly 200 acres for public recreation and economic growth.
Indiana
Chad Pittman was appointed as the upcoming president and CEO of the Purdue Research Foundation, effective February 1, 2025, succeeding Brian Edelman. With a rich background in economic development, including roles at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and as PRF's chief executive of economic development, Pittman is expected to guide the foundation in its mission to manage Purdue University's intellectual property, promote entrepreneurial activities, and support economic growth throughout Indiana.
An economic development interlocal agreement between Wells County and the city of Bluffton remains unresolved, though it aims to fund the economic development director's salary in the short term and potentially establish a new nonprofit for the Economic Development Commission in the future. The county has committed $15,000 to Make My Move to promote Wells County, offering relocation incentives to attract new residents, while new director Jessica Beste has begun evaluating sites and upgrading the Economic Development Commission's online presence.
The Indiana Economic Development Association and the Duke Energy Foundation have committed $150,000 to enhance community access to affordable child care services. This investment aims to support economic development by addressing child care availability, a critical issue affecting workforce participation.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb is making his final international economic development trip to the Middle East, focusing on partnerships in the life sciences and defense sectors in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, with the Indiana Economic Development Foundation covering travel expenses.
Kentucky
Nearly 300 leaders from the Greater Lexington region will convene at the 2024 Regional Summit on November 20, organized by Commerce Lexington, to advance economic growth and talent attraction through discussions on a Regional Competitiveness Plan. The event will feature economic development expert Ted Abernathy of Economic Leadership LLC and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced the New Kentucky Home initiative aimed at boosting economic development through tourism by attracting businesses and workforce to the state.
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Legislature approved a nearly $4 billion economic development bill, known as the "Mass Leads Act," which includes significant funding allocations for Worcester and other municipalities for projects aimed at innovation, infrastructure, and community revitalization.
Michigan
The State of Michigan partnered with Electreon and Xos, Inc. to develop a wireless charging network for electric commercial delivery vehicles in Detroit. Supported by a $200,000 grant from the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform and involving stakeholders like the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, this initiative aims to boost fleet efficiency and reduce vehicle downtime through innovative charging solutions.
Cheboygan County, in collaboration with community volunteers and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, launched a crowdfunding campaign through the Michigan-based platform Patronicity, aiming to raise $40,000 for a new community dog park.
The Michigan House passed a series of economic development bills intended to promote business growth through tax breaks and incentives for research and development, startups, and data centers, moving them to the Senate for approval.
Minnesota
Ben Van Tassel is expected to be appointed as Duluth's new director of planning and economic development, with the Duluth City Council set to approve Mayor Roger Reinert's proposal. Van Tassel aims to prioritize housing and economic development, improve business attractiveness, and focus on key growth areas in the city.
Brian Deuel, Angela Lewis-Dmello, and Jill Funck were honored at the annual recognition event by the Vadnais Heights Economic Development Corporation, with their respective organizations receiving awards for excellence, community partnership, and inclusive employment. Deuel's firm, Olsen Thielen & Co. Ltd., Lewis-Dmello's Northeast Youth and Family Services, and Funck's H.B. Fuller were recognized for their outstanding contributions.
