Economic Development and Developers in the News # 226

Welcome to the 226th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News!

This week: updates from 62 executives and organizations across 23 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.

Listen now in your favorite podcast player, or subscribe.

Alabama

Dale Greer, Director of the Cullman Economic Development Agency, will retire at the end of January after more than 30 years of service marked by industry recruitment, business expansion, and workforce development. Assistant Director Jamie Troutman will assume the interim director role. (Director, Cullman Economic Development Agency)

Arizona

The Arizona House of Representatives has established two new committees focused on emerging technologies and rural economic growth: the House Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Innovation, chaired by Representative Justin Wilmeth, and the House Committee on Rural Economic Development, chaired by Representative Teresa Martinez, highlighting the state's efforts to attract investment, foster innovation, and support rural communities.

Arkansas

The Compass Report, produced by the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Center for Economic Development (Associate Vice Chancellor Kendall Ross), shows that Arkansas’s major metro regions consistently earned “A” or “B” grades in the third quarter of 2025, with broad-based job growth, increased consumer activity, and resilient economic conditions despite data limitations.

The Walton Family Foundation has awarded a three-year grant of over five hundred twenty-five thousand dollars to the University of Central Arkansas Center for Community and Economic Development to expand its Community Development Pipeline program, providing training and technical assistance to empower Northwest Arkansas leaders in economic and community development. (Director Shelby Fiegel)

Packaging Specialties plans a $24 million expansion of its Fayetteville operations, aiming to add around 100 new jobs over the next three to five years, with local officials advancing a sales-tax refund incentive. (Mark Goodman, Economic Development Director, Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce; Chung Tan, Economic Developer, City of Fayetteville)

Georgia

Yvonne Marinelli has been appointed as Clarkesville’s first standalone economic development director, a newly created position focused on strengthening business recruitment, retention, and long-term strategy for the city. Marinelli brings marketing experience and community involvement to the role, emphasizing relationship-building as a priority for advancing local economic momentum.

Illinois

Cesar Suarez has been appointed community development director for Macomb, bringing extensive experience from previous roles in Harvey, Galesburg, Peoria, and Joliet. City officials highlighted his strong background in economic development as key to advancing ongoing and future projects. (City Administrator Scott Coker)

Iowa

During a recent roundtable with Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative and Jones County Economic Development, Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra emphasized the critical role of expanding rural broadband, reliable energy, and high-tech workforce development in positioning Iowa as a leading destination for manufacturers and economic growth. (Derek Lumsden)[

Kentucky

The 2026 Kentucky Chamber Day Dinner brought together state leaders to discuss pro-growth policies, workforce initiatives, and strategic investments in housing, education, and child care, as the Kentucky Chamber (President and Chief Executive Officer Ashli Watts; Board Chair Condrad Daniels) outlined priorities for the new legislative session, emphasizing collaboration to strengthen the state’s economy.

Louisiana

Mayor-elect Helena Moreno has named Dr. Jenny Mains as deputy mayor for economic development in her incoming New Orleans administration, with a 100-day agenda focused on boosting business growth, workforce development, and small-business support. Key initiatives include a business concierge pilot, streamlined permitting, and targeted investment in underserved neighborhoods.

Maine

Michael Duguay (Maine’s commissioner of economic and community development) has outlined housing, life sciences, and the blue economy as top policy priorities for Maine, including efforts to streamline housing regulations and advance the new Maine Life Sciences Innovation Center, which will coordinate industry growth for nearly 10,000 workers under founding director Sarah Delmar.

Amazon plans to build a 146,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center in Maine, prompting community concerns about environmental and traffic impacts. The $4 million project, represented by Bluewater Property Group (Vice President Christina Bernardin), will undergo reviews and public hearings, with oversight from local, state, and federal authorities. (Economic Development Director Kevin Jensen)

Michigan

Andrew Haan, senior vice president of community development and growth at Cornerstone Alliance, has earned the Certified Economic Developer credential from the International Economic Development Council, highlighting his expertise and commitment to driving sustainable growth and investment in the region and further strengthening Cornerstone Alliance's impact.

Michigan lawmakers, in partnership with Governor Gretchen Whitmer, have committed to advancing new economic development policies before year-end, aiming to facilitate the creation and retention of high-skill jobs through legislative reforms. (Governor Gretchen Whitmer; House Speaker Matt Hall; Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks)

Minnesota

The Duluth Economic Development Authority has launched a pilot program waiving permit fees for up to six local mobile food vendors to operate in city parks during the 2026 summer season, aiming to support small business growth and expand community engagement. (Ellie Just, Economic Developer)

New Hampshire

Exeter is poised for significant growth with major housing developments and new projects set for 2026, building on a year that included the opening of a unique rare earth production facility and ongoing public safety investments, according to Economic Development Director Darren Winham.

New York

Hope Knight, president, chief executive officer, and commissioner of Empire State Development, will be recognized with the Pioneer Public Service Award for her leadership in advancing major initiatives such as the $100 billion Micron semiconductor campus in New York, a project expected to generate nearly 50,000 jobs statewide.

North Carolina

North Carolina has been named the top state for workforce development by Site Selection magazine for 2026, reflecting substantial investments and strategic collaboration among state agencies, education systems, and industry partners. Governor Josh Stein and the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships (co-chaired by N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley, Senator Eddie Settle, and N.C. Community College System President Dr. Jeff Cox) have prioritized expanding apprenticeships, aligning workforce training with employer needs, and launching new initiatives that have helped attract over $24 billion in capital investment and create more than 35,000 new jobs since 2025.

North Dakota

Becca Cruger has been appointed Director of Economic Development for the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation, expanding her responsibilities to include both business and workforce development initiatives, such as sectoral partnerships and project proposal oversight, in support of the organization’s strategic focus on industry growth and regional competitiveness. (President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Lund)

Oklahoma

Barbra Coffee, a Certified Economic Developer with over 20 years of experience, has been named Executive Director of the Oklahoma Office of Economic Development, Growth, and Expansion. Coffee, who also serves on the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute board, is expected to help advance the state’s business-friendly initiatives.

Oregon

The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council has appointed Sean Keithly as its new Community and Economic Development Director, bringing over two decades of regional planning and economic development experience to lead collaborative strategies for long-term growth and resilience.

Pennsylvania

Johnson & Johnson is expanding its presence in Pennsylvania with a new next generation cell therapy manufacturing site, reinforcing the state’s position as a leader in life sciences and advanced manufacturing. This major investment, supported by the Department of Community and Economic Development (Secretary Rick Siger), will create hundreds of high-skilled jobs across the Commonwealth.

Rhode Island

Hicks Partners has appointed Taylor Nemeth as Director of Economic Development and Grants, where she will lead key client initiatives and support the firm's expanding economic development and energy siting practices, drawing on her extensive experience in federal funding strategy and government relations.

Tennessee

The Clarksville-Montgomery County Economic Development Council recently opened its new downtown headquarters, consolidating organizations including Visit Clarksville, the Industrial Development Board, the Chamber of Commerce, the Aspire Foundation, and Leadership Clarksville to foster greater collaboration and support the region’s long-term economic growth. (Chief Executive Officer and President Buck Dellinger)

Texas

The Pearland Economic Development Corporation is advancing workforce development through programs like WorkInPearland—a virtual job portal in partnership with the Pearland Chamber of Commerce—and the Pearland Innovation Hub, which connects entrepreneurs and small businesses to resources and capital, aiming to strengthen the regional talent pipeline and foster business growth. (Workforce Director Mou Sarkar; Innovation Hub Navigator Brandy Guidry)

Mario Reyna (executive director of RioPlex) and Rick Carrera (director of economic development for the Council for South Texas Economic Progress) reported continued investor interest and industrial activity in the Rio Grande Valley, noting that while some companies are pausing due to tariffs, others—particularly from Mexico—are exploring U.S. expansion, leveraging the region’s binational economic position.

The Schertz Economic Development Corporation, led by deputy director Amy Madison, is positioning the fast-growing San Antonio suburb as a major industrial hub, offering 9 million square feet of industrial park space and drawing significant employers such as Amazon and UPS, with strong workforce support from Alamo Colleges District.

Virginia

The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority has awarded up to $29,500 to the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority to host a Small Developer Workshop, aimed at equipping public officials in Southwest Virginia with practical tools to expand workforce housing and modernize local policies. (Executive Director Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA; Executive Director Dana Cronkhite, Dickenson County IDA)

Washington

Mike Fong has been appointed as Everett’s new senior executive director for economic development and opportunity and will lead initiatives to strengthen the city’s economy, support businesses, and drive job growth, building on decades of economic development leadership at the Washington State Department of Commerce and the United States Small Business Administration.

West Virginia

The Bluefield Economic Development Authority is advancing efforts to redevelop a long-vacant building, with Executive Director Sam Wolford noting that a prospective business could bring new jobs and services to the region. The authority is seeking an Environmental Protection Agency grant for hazardous material removal as part of the project’s next steps. (Executive Director Sam Wolford)