Economic Development and Developers in the News # 218
Econ dev news from 71 economic development executives and organizations in 19 states.
Welcome to the 218th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News!
This week: updates from 71 executives and organizations across 19 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 delegation led by the Alabama Department of Commerce is conducting a trade mission to Australia, aiming to expand international connections for Alabama businesses and highlight the state's strengths in workforce training and advanced industries. Key participants include Christina Stimpson (Global Business Officer), Miller Girvin (President and Chief Executive Officer, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama), and other organizational leaders.
The Alabama Department of Commerce has opened business development offices in Japan and South Korea, partnering with advisory firms Tractus and Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers to strengthen foreign direct investment, expand export opportunities, and deepen global partnerships. (Secretary Ellen McNair, Global Business Officer Christina Stimpson, Assistant Directors Hollie Pegg and Bob Smith)
California
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a sweeping economic development initiative focused on strengthening the state’s position in sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, space, agriculture, and fusion energy, with support from California Forward and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Director Dee Dee Myers), aiming for sustainable, inclusive growth across all regions.
San Diego’s nearly $4 billion Midway Rising redevelopment, led by a consortium including Chelsea Investment Corporation, Legends, Zephyr, and The Kroenke Group, remains in progress despite court setbacks over height limits, with Mayor Todd Gloria and Economic Development Director Christina Bibler citing the project’s economic impact: thousands of jobs, affordable housing, and a new entertainment center.
Florida
Developer George Hawthorne’s $48 million plan to renovate the Grand Hotel as part of Pensacola’s Redevelopment Gateway Project has hit a hurdle after the city declined his request for a bond inducement letter, citing funding concerns. (Economic Development Director Erica Grancagnolo)
Georgia
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is leading his third trip to South Korea to strengthen long-standing economic development partnerships, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp and Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. These missions drive trade, investment, and job creation for the state’s economy and reflect Georgia's ongoing ties to Korean innovation and industry.
Maine
Two major housing projects in Augusta received up to $14.3 million in tax increment financing, aiming to add over 400 market-rate housing units and address regional shortages. The city’s economic development efforts, led by Economic Development Director Keith Luke, will focus on expanding housing options, workforce development, and neighborhood infrastructure.
Maryland
The Baltimore Development Corporation, led by Otis Rolley (Chief Executive Officer and President), is hosting the fourth annual Baltimore Together Summit to advance the city’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy by highlighting progress toward a more inclusive economy, with a focus on eliminating racial disparities and supporting minority-owned businesses and neighborhood-based development.
Michigan
Juan Ganum has been appointed as Holland’s director of community and neighborhood services and economic development, bringing over three decades of municipal leadership experience to oversee planning, development, and sustainability initiatives. Ganum also serves on statewide municipal boards, including the Michigan Municipal League Board of Trustees.
Mississippi
Mississippi State University has named Julie Jordan as its first Senior Adviser for Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance to lead AI strategy and data initiatives, reflecting the university's commitment to responsible innovation. Scott Willard was appointed interim Vice President for Research and Economic Development to continue advancing MSU’s research and economic development agenda.
New Jersey
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen economic collaboration in innovation, clean energy, and life sciences, aiming to foster private sector partnerships and support regional rebuilding. (NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan)
New York
WindScape Brooklyn, New York's first immersive learning center focused on offshore wind energy, has opened through a partnership led by Equinor, Empire Wind, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (President and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Kimball), and state and community organizations, aiming to advance green workforce development and support the city’s clean energy and economic growth initiatives.
New York City Economic Development Corporation (President and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Kimball) and the Department of Transportation unveiled design concepts for the $55 million Chinatown Connections project, which aims to transform Chatham Square with expanded pedestrian space, simplified intersections, and enhanced public amenities to foster local economic growth and strengthen neighborhood identity.
North Carolina
Jimmy Randolph (Chief Executive Officer, Sanford Area Growth Alliance) spoke against a proposed construction and demolition landfill in Lee County, emphasizing that it is not an economic development project backed by the Alliance and warning that such a facility could deter future industrial investment and undermine recent economic gains in the region.
Kevin Szostak (director of economic development projects for the Alamance Area Chamber of Commerce) has been awarded the International Economic Development Council Certification Scholarship by the North Carolina Economic Development Association Foundation, supporting professional advancement for economic developers across North Carolina. (NCEDA Foundation president and chair Randall Johnson)
Ohio
The Area Development Foundation received statewide recognition at the 2025 Ohio Economic Development Association Annual Summit, winning awards for its Knox WorkDev workforce initiative and leadership by president Sam Filkins (Ohio Economic Developer of the Year), while its Heartland Commerce Park was named a finalist for Economic Development Project of the Year.
Oklahoma
Travis Stephens has been appointed as the new Economic Development Director for the City of Broken Arrow, bringing a strong background in economic development and management, with previous experience at several chambers of commerce and municipalities. City Manager Michael Spurgeon expressed confidence that Stephens will support continued business growth and prosperity for the community.
Brad Cooksey (President, Lawton-Fort Sill Economic Development Corporation) recently discussed the organization's mission, highlighted ongoing initiatives such as the Westwin and Firehawk projects, and outlined the LEDC’s broader efforts to drive economic growth in the Lawton-Fort Sill area during an interview with local media.
Pennsylvania
Under Governor Josh Shapiro’s leadership, Pennsylvania has secured over $31.6 billion in private sector investments and created more than 16,700 new jobs, earning recognition as the only state with a growing economy in the Northeast. (Governor Josh Shapiro; Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger)
Eos Energy Enterprises is investing nearly $353 million to relocate its headquarters to Pittsburgh and expand battery manufacturing operations in Allegheny County, a move supported by $22 million in state funding and incentives and expected to create at least 735 new jobs. (Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger)
South Carolina
The Western South Carolina Economic Development Partnership, led by President and Chief Executive Officer Will Williams, reported a record $1.22 billion in announced capital investments expected to create 419 new jobs across its four-county region, highlighted by major projects from Meta and Kimberly-Clark and a balanced mix of new and expanding industries.
Texas
Longview Economic Development Corporation reported a strong year, facilitating seven business site visits, managing 29 open and nine active projects, and contributing to 4,000 jobs and $500 million in capital investment since 2016, while supporting key expansions and quality-of-life projects. (President and CEO Wayne Mansfield)
Vermont
Lyle Jepson has been appointed as commissioner of Vermont’s Department of Economic Development, with Nick Grimley named deputy commissioner, reflecting a strategic emphasis on rural economic growth, workforce development, and business support across the state. (Governor Phil Scott, Commissioner Lyle Jepson, Deputy Commissioner Nick Grimley)
Vermont economic development efforts were highlighted by Acting Commissioner Tim Tierney (Director of Business Recruitment, International Trade), who hosted a Canadian delegation to strengthen cross-border trade, led a Global Leadership Program visit from nine countries, and advanced international business recruitment, while voters in Rutland overwhelmingly approved a Tax Increment Financing bond to fund major infrastructure upgrades in the city.
Virginia
The Greater Richmond Convention Center Authority is seeking updated demolition and site preparation estimates for the Richmond Coliseum as part of efforts to advance the City Center redevelopment, which features a long-awaited 500-room convention center hotel to anchor a mixed-use district. (Greater Richmond Convention Center Authority Chair Nancy Thomas; City of Richmond Economic Development Director Angie Rodgers)
Lynchburg Regional Airport will gain daily United Express jet service to Chicago O’Hare and Washington Dulles in spring 2026, marking the return of a second network carrier and enhancing regional connectivity—a development hailed as a major milestone by Cedric Simon (Airport Director) and Marjette Upshur (Director of Economic Development and Tourism).
Wisconsin
Elmer Moore Jr (Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director) is leading the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority in tackling the state's escalating housing crisis through mortgages, tax credit programs, and financing models that have supported over 142,000 homebuyers and numerous developments since 1972, with a record year in 2024 for first-time homebuyer assistance.
