Economic Development and Developers in the News # 177
Econ dev news from 24 economic development executives and organizations in 12 states.
Welcome to the 175th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News.
Today's issue contains news from 24 economic development executives and organizations in 12 states.
If this is your first time reading: Hello!
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.
Listen now in your favorite podcast player, or subscribe.
To submit your organization's news, please use this form.
Alabama
Ellen McNair has been named Alabama's Secretary of Commerce, focusing on long-term economic strategic planning with organizations like the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and the Business Council of Alabama.
As you may, or perhaps not know – not only do I publish the Econ Dev Show newsletter and podcast for free every week, but over the past year, I've also been developing a groundbreaking tool for economic development organizations: Sitehunt.
I've been told it's the first truly practical application of AI in economic development.
Your peers agree. In its first year alone, Sitehunt is already being used by EDOs of all sizes across the country.
Here's what it can do:
- Automatically research and enhance your existing buildings and site database--or even create one from scratch.
- Continuously discover new, suitable buildings and sites within your communities to grow your economic development inventory.
- Generate compelling marketing content for your sites.
- Instantly analyze RFIs and match them to your inventory, ensuring you never miss an opportunity from a site selector.
As we approach the end of the year, now is the perfect time to think about 2025. Can I give you a demo? I promise you'll be amazed at what Sitehunt can do.
Georgia
Brian Marlowe, president and CEO of Tift County Development Authority, has been appointed by Governor Brian Kemp as the deputy commissioner of rural Georgia to lead the initiative for economic growth through the Rural Strike Team.
Kentucky
John Hayden, newly appointed City Manager of Newport, Kentucky, prioritizes economic development and the restoration of the Parks and Recreation Department, aided by a seven-and-a-half-million-dollar state grant for the Riverfront Park.
Swedish Match's $232 million expansion led Owensboro and Daviess County to record-breaking economic growth in 2024, creating nearly 700 jobs with support from the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation.
Maine
Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, will step down in 2025 after significant contributions to Maine's economic growth under Governor Janet Mills.
