Economic Development and Developers in the News # 206
Econ dev news from 73 economic development executives and organizations in 25 states.
Welcome to the 206th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News!
Today's issue contains news from 73 economic development executives and organizations in 25 states.
If this is your first time reading: Hello!
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
Ted Clem, a 1987 Troy University graduate, has returned to the region as president of the Pike County Economic Development Corporation after 12 years with the Alabama Department of Commerce, aiming to leverage his experience in statewide business recruitment to advance local economic growth.
Arizona
The Chamber of Southern Arizona, formed from the merger of Sun Corridor and the Tucson Metro Chamber, has launched a unified economic development strategy focused on talent attraction, workforce development, advocacy, and small business growth. (Joe Snell, President and Chief Executive Officer; Michael Guymon, Chief Operating Officer)
Arkansas
Randy Zook (president and chief executive officer of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce) will chair Arkansans for Strong Communities, a ballot committee promoting a 2026 constitutional amendment enabling economic development districts in Arkansas, aiming to boost competitiveness and facilitate targeted investments through new tools, loans, and district-level financing authority.
California
The City of Moreno Valley is pursuing a robust pro-business agenda, spearheaded by Acting Economic Development Director Keith Gemmell, including the redevelopment of a mall into a mixed-use destination, creation of a new town center, and major hospital expansions projected to bring 6,000 new jobs, underscoring the city’s commitment to economic growth and local employment.
Colorado
Jessica Garner (community and economic development director for the City of Arvada) addressed resident concerns over new commercial development near Whisper Village, emphasizing the importance of a strong sales tax base and city-led efforts to balance residential growth with economic development through initiatives like Good Neighbor Agreements.
Hawaii
The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, in partnership with Google Public Sector and the TRUE Initiative, will host the fourth annual Hawai‘i AI and Cloud Innovation Summit, focusing on the role of artificial intelligence and cloud technologies in advancing government services, workforce development, and public-private collaboration. (Department Director James Kunane Tokioka)
Illinois
Liz Hiemstra has been appointed director of economic development for the Ogle County Economic Development Corporation, where she will lead efforts to attract new business, support existing enterprises, and advance sustainable growth, leveraging her marketing and community engagement background.
Darius White, currently senior regional economic development manager for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, has been nominated to serve as Urbana's next city administrator. White’s prior roles in local economic development and recognition as a leader in the field highlight his expertise and community commitment.
Lake County has been named one of the top ten counties nationwide for economic development by Site Selection Magazine, recognizing the impact of Lake County Partners (President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Considine) in driving $1.33 billion in investment, creating over 4,600 new jobs, and sustaining a strong business environment through strategic partnerships and workforce initiatives.
The Oswego Village Board has approved a $38,580 economic development incentive award and a $32,628 revolving loan for A2T Hospitality to support the transformation of a former retail space into Bay 54, a high-end cocktail bar and lounge, as part of broader efforts to foster downtown investment. (Economic Development Director Kevin Leighty)
Iowa
[Christopher Watkins](https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-watkins-07558782/) has been named Knoxville's new Economic Development Director, bringing a focus on collaborative strategies to advance the city's economic growth. Watkins is expected to leverage his experience to drive business attraction and support ongoing development initiatives.
The City of Norwalk and its Economic Development Department, led by Mayor Tom Phillips, have launched a public campaign to attract Buc-ee's first Iowa location, highlighting the project’s potential to drive economic growth and tourism while offering the Texas-based chain prime access, infrastructure, and community support.
Christopher Watkins has been appointed as the new Economic Development Director for Knoxville, bringing experience from his previous roles in Marion and Lucas Counties. Watkins highlighted Knoxville's recent commercial progress and expressed enthusiasm for working with local leadership to advance economic development initiatives.
Kansas
Camille Lavon, recently appointed economic development director for Thrive Allen County, brings over a decade of workforce and economic strategy experience—including multimillion-dollar fundraising and award-winning initiatives in Colorado—to support smart growth, business retention, and investment in her new Kansas community.
Maine
The city of Auburn has emerged as a model for economic development in manufacturing, driven by its economic development department's proactive strategies like tax incentives, workforce training for immigrants, and partnerships with organizations such as the Manufacturers Association of Maine. (Director of Economic Development Jay Brenchick)
Massachusetts
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has unveiled the Business Front Door and Why Massachusetts digital platforms to streamline business support and attract investment statewide, connecting companies with funding, guidance, and state resources as part of a broader $4 billion economic development initiative. (Economic Development Interim Secretary Ashley Stolba)
