Economic Development and Developers in the News # 212
Econ dev news from 108 economic development executives and organizations in 33 states.
Welcome to the 212th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News!
This week: updates from 108 executives and organizations across 33 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
A $1.7 million SEEDS grant from the Alabama Department of Commerce will fund major infrastructure upgrades at Childersburg Industrial Park, enhancing site readiness for industrial growth and job creation. (Ellen McNair, Secretary, Alabama Department of Commerce; Calvin Miller, Executive Director, Talladega County Economic Development Authority)
Southeast Gas has been named one of Site Selection magazine’s 2025 Top Utilities in Economic Development for the second consecutive year, recognized for supporting projects that generated nearly 8,000 jobs and investments in education, sustainability, and community growth. (President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Henderson; Director of Economic Development Vince Perez)
The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce has appointed Caleb Goodwyn as its new Chief Officer of Economic Development, underscoring the organization's ongoing efforts to advance regional economic initiatives and attract business investment through leadership transition.
Arizona
Christine Mackay, who has served as community and economic development director for the city of Phoenix and led initiatives resulting in over $190 billion in capital investment and more than 100,000 new jobs, has been appointed president and chief executive officer of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.
Pima County adopted stricter NDA rules and deeper environmental review requirements following the “Project Blue” controversy, aiming to boost transparency in major projects. Economic Development Director Heath Vescovi-Chiordi noted limited business input during the process.
Governor Katie Hobbs appointed] Mary Foote as Director of the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, highlighting her extensive experience in statewide workforce and economic development, including revitalizing the Greater Arizona Development Authority and previous leadership roles at Pipeline AZ and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. (Director, Office of Economic Opportunity)
Cottonwood named Michelle Conway Kostecki economic development specialist to focus on business attraction, workforce, and partnerships under Tourism & EDO Director Tricia Lewis.
Arkansas
The Center for Community and Economic Development at the University of Central Arkansas (led by Director Shelby Fiegel) has launched the Community Development Pipeline, a three-year fellowship focusing on economic development training and regional collaboration for rural leaders in Northwest Arkansas. Supported by the Walton Family Foundation, the program connects 25 officials—including mayors and planners—for smart growth initiatives that address rapid population growth and infrastructure needs.
California
City of Moreno Valley. Kyle Warsinski announced he is beginning a new position as Economic Development Director for the City of Moreno Valley.
The newly formed Economic Development Committee in Escalon, comprising city council members and local business leaders, will advise on implementing the city’s 2025-2026 Strategic Plan with a focus on expanding the tax base, supporting business growth, and attracting new investment. (City Manager Jaylen French)
The city of San Diego has issued a call for developers to transform the former Central Library site into housing, with a requirement that at least 25 percent be affordable for lower-income residents. (Economic Development Director Christina Bibler) This initiative aims to revitalize downtown while addressing regional housing needs.
The City of Sonora is advancing strategic planning efforts to strengthen its economic development, with a focus on community input, infrastructure, retention and attraction strategies, and public-private partnerships. (Community Development Director Tyler Summersett and Cole Przybyla of Przybyla Advisors, contracted for economic development initiatives)
The North State Planning and Development Collective at Chico State has secured $1.27 million from the California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative to advance agricultural innovation with new irrigation and virtual fencing projects, supporting workforce development and long-term sustainability across rural Northern California. (Executive Director Jason Schwenkler)
Colorado
Shelby Wood, the City of Westminster's small business navigator, has earned the Entrepreneurship Development Professional credential from IEDC.
Florida
David Pieklik has joined FloridaCommerce as Senior Project Manager – Life Sciences & Technology.
Hawaii
Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (Director James Tokioka) forecasts subdued economic growth for the state through 2026 due to high global import tariffs and policy uncertainties, though recent outlooks note slight improvements in job growth, construction activity, and visitor spending as local fundamentals remain resilient.
Illinois
The Woda Group will present a 57-unit 55+ apartment proposal to the City Council, with Economic Development Director Don Aleksy facilitating introductions.
Indiana
Google’s $2 billion data center, developed by Hatchworks, marks one of Indiana’s largest economic development projects, promising over 200 jobs, yet faces scrutiny over proposed wetland impacts as the Indiana Department of Environmental Management weighs permitting decisions amid calls for robust environmental safeguards and effective mitigation. (Jonathan Leist, Deputy Director of Community Development, City of Fort Wayne)
The Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, led by President Jennifer Pearl, marks its 40th anniversary with a record of driving more than $1 billion in capital investment and 900 new jobs across Monroe County since 2020, notably supporting major projects such as Simtra BioPharma Solutions’ $241 million redevelopment, while launching its Blueprint for the BOLD initiative to strengthen regional growth in industries like life sciences and advanced manufacturing.
A new report from Indiana University has affirmed the state’s regional economic development approach, highlighting the effectiveness of initiatives led by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation under Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg in fostering collaboration and supporting long-term growth across Indiana’s diverse regions.
Iowa
Dan Nieland has been appointed as the new Economic Development Director for Marion County, focusing on strategies to drive growth and attract investment to the region. Nieland aims to spearhead initiatives that support business expansion and enhance the county’s broader economic vitality.
Kansas
Joshua Jefferson (Deputy Secretary for Business Development, Kansas Department of Commerce) has been named one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers by Consultant Connect, recognizing his leadership in driving business attraction, expansion, and over $23 billion in private investment to Kansas through innovative and strategic economic initiatives.
Kentucky
The South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, led by Executive Director Carter Hendricks, reported ongoing industry expansions and projects—most notably the $1.3 billion Ascend Elements development slated to create 400 jobs, while emphasizing efforts to diversify sectors, attract investment, and address workforce housing across Christian and surrounding counties.
The University of Kentucky Economic Development Collaborative, through its Growing Our Own initiative, has delivered a series of workshops aimed at equipping small businesses with resources, contract guidance, and networking opportunities, fostering economic resilience across Kentucky. Key project leads include Marilyn Clark (economic engagement manager) and Melody Flowers (co-chair, Economic Development Collaborative).
Louisiana
The North Louisiana Economic Partnership (President and Chief Executive Officer Justyn Dixon) has acquired the former Libbey Glass manufacturing complex, a 54-acre industrial site, to reposition and market the property for new private investment and modern manufacturing jobs, marking a significant step in revitalizing Northwest Louisiana’s industrial economy and regional competitiveness.
Former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal emphasized the ongoing need for economic development in New Orleans two decades after Hurricane Katrina, highlighting progress in education, healthcare, and flood protection while stressing the importance of attracting more well-paying private sector jobs to secure the city's long-term economic future.
The St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation has received the 2025 Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award from the International Economic Development Council for its InveST St. Tammany website, recognized for its innovative approach to business attraction and marketing. (Nathan Ohle, International Economic Development Council president and chief executive officer)
