Economic Development and Developers in the News # 195
Econ dev news from 77 economic development executives and organizations in 23 states.
Welcome to the 195th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News.
Today's issue contains news from 77 economic development executives and organizations in 23 states.
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The Econ Dev Show is a podcast and email newsletter delivering actionable strategies, fresh news, insights, and ideas from the economic development community and your host, Dane Carlson.
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Sitehunt is the AI-powered platform transforming how economic developers manage site selection and respond to RFIs. Built for speed, precision, and real-world complexity, it automates the tedious work of tracking property details, enriching site data, and answering project requests — in minutes, not days. Whether you're chasing leads, showcasing inventory, or competing for big wins, Sitehunt gives you the intelligence and agility to move fast, impress prospects, and close deals. It’s not just smarter software — it’s how modern economic development gets done.
Alabama
Matthew Parker, President of the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce and lead economic developer for the region, delivered the keynote at TROY Dothan's Spring Commencement. Parker's career was marked by initiatives that attracted over 20,000 jobs and $1.88 billion in investment, significantly advancing southeastern Alabama's economic landscape.
Alabama established the Alabama Development Fund, a sustainable funding mechanism expected to generate $28.5 million annually to support site development, workforce training, and rural revitalization. Overseen by the Alabama Department of Commerce, the fund directly advanced the state's Catalyst strategic plan and aimed to boost long-term economic competitiveness.
Arizona
Maggie Holmberg (Economic Development Manager, Town of Chino Valley) was named Economic Developer of the Year (Small Community) by the Arizona Association for Economic Development, recognizing her leadership in securing $7 million for land preservation initiatives and historic site acquisitions that advanced heritage, tourism, and collaborative regional development.
California
Cliff Long was appointed as Fresno's new Economic Development Director, bringing extensive experience from similar roles in Nampa, Renton, and Boise. City leadership praised Long's track record in business expansion and regional collaboration, expressing confidence in his ability to attract investment and foster job growth.
Anthony Sims, Economic Development Manager for the City of Turlock, was named Economic Developer of the Year at the Opportunity Stanislaus "Celebrate the Central Valley" event. The regional economic development organization recognized Sims' contributions to business growth and development initiatives throughout Stanislaus County.
Georgia
Peachtree Corners' five-year economic development plan drove significant growth, with 24 projects last year resulting in 1,600 new jobs, 1,600 retained jobs, and $250 million in capital investment, as highlighted by Economic Development Director Bertrand Lapoire. Partnership Gwinnett (Director of Economic Development Andrew Hickey) collaborated on recruiting businesses, workforce development, and enhancing community amenities across the county.
Indiana
Kosciusko County expanded infrastructure and business growth through targeted tax increment financing, with support from the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (Chief Executive Officer Peggy Friday), enabling major upgrades like repaving and traffic improvements, as well as attracting Slate Automotive's new manufacturing facility expected to create up to 2,000 jobs.
The Delaware County Commissioners formalized a partnership with the Economic Development Alliance of Delaware County (led by President and Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Rowray), strengthening the Alliance's role as the region's primary economic development organization and reinforcing its nationally accredited approach to business attraction, retention, and long-term investment strategies.
Kentucky
The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce received the 2024 Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development from Site Selection Magazine, marking its fourth win in five years. Under the leadership of President and Chief Executive Officer Ron Bunch, the Chamber supported 24 projects totaling over $326 million in investment and 610 new jobs this year, reinforcing its status among the nation's top economic development organizations.
Louisiana
Cleco marked Economic Development Week by highlighting its long-standing efforts to attract and grow businesses across Louisiana, including partnerships supporting major projects like SunGas Renewables Inc.'s Beaver Lake Renewable Energy facility, which was expected to create over 1,150 construction jobs and 100 permanent positions. (Director of Marketing and Economic Development Richard Cornelison)
