Economic Development and Developers in the News # 185

Welcome to the 185th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News. 

Today's issue contains news from 68 economic development executives and organizations in 22 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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Arizona

Arizona Land Consulting has acquired 160 acres in the Buckeye area of Phoenix, aiming to develop data centers, with potential investments between $1 billion and $4 billion. (Buckeye Economic Development Director Suzanne Boyles)

California

Napa's RiverLine initiative, as presented by Economic Development Coordinator Brendan Hurley, aims to enhance tourism and local amenities, while entrepreneurs highlight challenges in attracting talent and capital, advocating for a supportive ecosystem for startups.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new California economic development blueprint, committing $245 million to foster sustainable growth and job creation across diverse sectors. The plan includes $125 million for "ready-to-go" projects aligning with strategic sectors and $52 million for apprenticeships in high-demand fields, emphasizing regional contributions to California's economic success.

The San Bernardino County Economic Development Department has received the California State Association of Counties Challenge Award for its innovative partnership with Asociación de Emprendedor@s. (Derek Armstrong, Director of Economic Development)

Tri Counties Bank, in collaboration with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, has awarded $260,000 in AHEAD Program grants to support economic development initiatives in Northern California. The grants, benefiting Alchemist CDC, Jefferson Economic Development Institute, and the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, aim to foster business growth and stabilize housing for underserved communities.

Colorado

The Economic Development Council of Colorado is hosting a Regional Economic Development Forum in Craig on March 5.

Erin Fosdick has resigned from her role as president and CEO of the Longmont Economic Development Partnership, a nonprofit tasked with bolstering key industries and attracting top-tier employers to the city. Her departure comes after nearly two years of service, during which she aimed to foster economic growth and development in Longmont.

Florida

Rusty Melle and Anne Conroy-Baiter were recently honored by the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast at its annual meeting. Melle was named Volunteer of the Year, and Conroy-Baiter received the Thomas E. Gamble Excellence in Education for Economic Development Impact Award.

Benderson Development’s North Port Business Park in Florida promises to bring 1,500 new jobs, significantly boosting the local economy and reducing retail leakage. The park's strategic location near Interstate 75 and innovative industrial features have attracted national companies, resulting in a wave of new local employment opportunities and economic diversification. (Josh Ewen, Vice President for Economic Development, Sarasota County Economic Development Corporation)

Katie Worthington Decker has exited her role as Senior Vice President at the Lakeland Economic Development Council.

Kentucky

Amanda Clark, Economic and Business Development Manager for Kentucky Power, emphasized the company's commitment to economic growth in Eastern Kentucky at a Grayson Chamber of Commerce meeting. She highlighted the importance of identifying and marketing industrial sites to attract businesses, addressing current challenges like limited available land. Clark noted that Kentucky Power's efforts aim to stabilize service rates by expanding its customer base, ultimately benefiting the 20-county service area.

Louisiana

Ashley Llewellyn, Vice President of St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation, has been named a recipient of the 2025 Economic Development 40 Under 40 Award.

Maine

Daniel Stevenson has been appointed as the new leader of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority at Brunswick Landing, succeeding interim Executive Director Steve Levesque.

Maryland

Baltimore Development Corp. CEO and president Colin Tarbert will step down in June to pursue real estate development, marking a significant leadership change for the organization known for its strategic efforts to enhance Baltimore's economic landscape.