Economic Development and Developers in the News # 200

Welcome to the 200th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News!

Today's issue contains news from 94 economic development executives and organizations in 26 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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Alabama

Don Erwin, former economic developer and author, called for increased funding for the Birmingham Business Alliance to address Birmingham's lagging job growth and population gains.

The Opelika Industrial Development Authority received a $750,350 SEEDS grant, matched by the city for a $1.5 million investment to develop a 125-acre pad-ready site in the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park. (John Sweatman, Opelika Economic Development Director)

Arizona

Pima County approved a $3.6 billion agreement with Beale Infrastructure to develop Project Blue, a major technology campus projected to create thousands of construction jobs and 180 permanent high-wage positions, with leadership from the Pima County Economic Development Office and regional partners.

Arkansas

The Newport Area Chamber of Commerce and Newport Economic Development Commission (Executive Director Jon Chadwell) partnered to provide chamber members with Placer.ai analytics reports offering consumer behavior insights and market trends at no additional cost beyond membership.

Connecticut

Connecticut lawmakers passed a $55.8 billion two-year budget featuring $50 million for commercial property conversions, $637 million for affordable housing, and expanded support for manufacturing, workforce innovation, and brownfield redevelopment, with programs implemented by the Department of Economic and Community Development.

Florida

Point Blank Enterprises, the nation's largest body armor manufacturer, will open a Wakulla County facility creating 513 jobs and adding $36 million in annual payroll, supported by over $8 million in state funding and the Wakulla Economic Development Council (President John Shuff).

Georgia

The Sandy Springs Development Authority (Economic Development Director Chris Burnett) facilitated tax abatement and parking agreements to advance a $150 million downtown mixed-use redevelopment project.

Central Atlanta Progress (President A.J. Robinson) leads efforts to preserve $157.6 million in federal funding for The Stitch, a $700 million infrastructure project creating a 17-acre park deck, supporting 4,500 jobs, and generating $1.4 billion in economic output.

Illinois

The Louis Joliet Mall district continues attracting new business with five retail licenses issued in 2025 and recent openings including a Tru by Hilton hotel and Burlington store. (Joliet Economic Developer Paulina Martinez)

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the City of Carbondale completed an 18-month Accelerator Program empowering 28 entrepreneurs with business training, mentorship, and startup funding. (Michael Jessup, SBDC Director; Steve Mitchell, Carbondale Economic Development Director)

Indiana

Brad Colter, newly appointed CEO and president of the Economic Development Group of Fayette County, reintroduced himself to the community through a regular column outlining his leadership vision and ongoing initiatives.

A newly established Wells County Economic Development Corporation filed as a nonprofit organization following local government approvals of an interlocal agreement to share economic development responsibilities and costs. (Director Jessica Beste)

Michigan City experiences significant momentum with the South Shore Train Station–Double Track Project and new mixed-use developments. Economic Development Corporation Michigan City (Executive Director Clarence L. Hulse) and the Redevelopment Department (Director Skyler York) advance transit-oriented development and brownfield redevelopment.

Fort Wayne's Plant, Pick & Plate initiative, led by Economic Development Administrator Andrea Robinson, earned national recognition for combating food insecurity and childhood obesity through youth education, community partnerships, and sustainable funding models.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation faces layoffs and unfilled positions as part of statewide budget cuts targeting $14 million in savings, with nearly every agency facing five percent reductions.

Iowa

Anita Economic Development moves forward with a housing project replacing a former trailer park with new homes priced around $200,000, supported by a $100,000 interest-free CADCO loan and seeking additional Cass County funding.

Kansas

Jim Fram, veteran economic development professional and certified chamber executive, joined as interim executive director of the Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation to guide the search for permanent leadership.

Louisiana

Governor Jeff Landry and Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois lead a state delegation to the International Paris Air Show to strengthen economic ties and attract aerospace and defense investment.

Entrepreneur Jacoby Landry acquired Northgate Mall in Lafayette and plans to transform it into a mixed-use business hub with support from the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (President and CEO Mandi Mitchell) through its Elevate North Lafayette Program.

Amazon's Cortana fulfillment center created over 2,000 jobs—doubling its initial pledge—and helped spur growth in business licenses and sales tax collections. (Senior Economic Development Manager Jessica Breaux)

Shreveport shifted its economic development strategy toward business retention and expansion over large-scale corporate recruitment, according to Economic Development Director Bill Sabo.