Economic Development and Developers in the News # 220
Econ dev news from 78 economic development executives and organizations in 26 states.
Welcome to the 220th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News!
This week: updates from 78 executives and organizations across 26 states.
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Alabama
Southeast Gas hosted its first Southeast Alabama Economic and Policy Summit, bringing together key state leaders and stakeholders to address regional growth, workforce development, and energy availability. The event, led by Southeast Gas President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Henderson, emphasized regional partnerships as central to advancing Alabama’s economic development strategy.
Arkansas
Michael Pakko (chief economist at the Arkansas Economic Development Institute) presented a cautious outlook for Arkansas, projecting modest payroll employment and gross domestic product growth, and steady unemployment below the national average, while noting ongoing uncertainty from tariffs and consumer spending, at the Arkansas Economic Forecast luncheon alongside Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis economists.
California
Governor Gavin Newsom has launched “Quantum California,” a statewide initiative led by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Director Dee Dee Myers) and the University of California to align academia, industry, and government in advancing quantum technology innovation, bolstering California’s leadership in job creation, research, and the rapidly growing quantum economy.
Colorado
The city of Pueblo has terminated its longstanding contract with the Pueblo Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO) and will seek new partners for economic development services, signaling a strategic shift toward broader growth initiatives beyond primary job creation. (Mayor Heather Graham; PEDCO President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Shaw)
Connecticut
Michael Harris has been appointed chief executive officer of both REX Development and the Economic Development Corporation of New Haven, bringing his experience in regional strategy and public-private partnerships to advance economic opportunity in New Haven and South Central Connecticut.
Delaware
The New Castle County Chamber of Commerce has launched the New Castle County Economic Partnership, a new nonprofit arm aimed at promoting workforce development and addressing small business challenges by uniting leaders from diverse sectors for broader economic impact. (Economic Development and Strategic Partnerships Director Emma Odren)
Georgia
The University of Georgia generated $8.4 billion in statewide economic activity in fiscal year 2024 through a coordinated approach involving research, workforce development, and industry partnerships. Under President Jere W. Morehead and leaders such as Matt Colvin (Director of Economic Development), UGA’s unified ecosystem drives innovation, supports thousands of jobs, and strengthens communities across Georgia.
The Savannah Economic Development Authority has unveiled a new strategic plan aimed at linking the region’s robust industrial sector with its creative and design industries, focusing on selective manufacturing, logistics innovation, establishing Savannah as a design hub, and expanding office-based jobs. (President and Chief Executive Officer Trip Tollison; Chief Operating Officer Jesse Dillon)
Illinois
Shorewood is experiencing rapid growth with major projects including 416 new homes by Lennar and 247 rental and townhome units by Ed Mattox (The Kipling Group), alongside the construction of a new 60,000-square-foot YMCA regional headquarters and significant mixed-use developments, marking the community's largest economic expansion since before 2008, according to Economic Development Director Natalie Engel.
Iowa
The Iowa Economic Development Authority has awarded $950,000 in Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants to support the rehabilitation of downtown buildings in 10 communities, aiming to stimulate economic growth and attract further investment in historic main streets. (Director Debi Durham; Iowa Downtown Resource Center Director Jim Engle)
The Iowa Finance Authority has awarded over $6.5 million in grants to develop 34 rental homes with supportive services for Iowans experiencing or at risk of homelessness, advancing statewide efforts to improve housing stability through partnerships with organizations including Central Iowa Shelter & Services, Dubuque Initiatives, and Humility Homes & Services. (Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham)
Kentucky
Tom West, who has served as Economic Development Director for the City of Covington since 2017, will retire in July 2026 after leading initiatives that brought over $240 million in private investment and 5,000 new jobs, earned multiple Awards of Excellence, and crafted Covington’s first comprehensive economic development strategy.
The Kentucky Association for Economic Development honored Brad Sowden (executive director, Winchester-Clark County Industrial Authority) as Community Professional of the Year and Amanda Davenport (executive director, Eddyville Riverport and Industrial Development Authority) as Young Professional of the Year, recognizing their significant achievements and leadership in advancing economic and workforce development across Kentucky.
Louisiana
Grow NELA has launched the FastSite program, which will help direct $150 million in state grants to industrial project sites across Louisiana, aiming to boost economic development statewide. Rob Cleveland (Grow NELA) noted that site selection is underway, with expectations for additional legislative funding in the future.
Louisiana State Representative Julie Emerson (House Ways and Means Committee Chair) is urging New York City businesses to consider relocating to Louisiana following the election of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, highlighting Louisiana’s lower business and income taxes and emphasizing support from the Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois.
Maine
Lincoln County has withdrawn $240,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding from a Wiscasset affordable housing initiative after the town considered allowing a large-scale data center on the proposed site, shifting project priorities. (Aaron Chrostowsky, Economic Development Director, Town of Wiscasset)
Maryland
The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation remains without a president and chief executive officer nearly a year after former leader Bill Tompkins stepped down, as the board continues a nationwide search for a candidate who can serve as a “connector” and drive business growth. (Interim Chief Operating Officer Jill Brooks)
Minnesota
A proposed data center project in Hermantown, backed by private developer Mortenson and reportedly intended for a Fortune 50 company, has sparked significant community debate over transparency and environmental concerns. Hermantown Economic Development Director Chad Ronchetti noted ongoing collaboration with Mortenson as residents and advocacy groups call for more robust environmental reviews before permits proceed.
Nebraska
Governor Jim Pillen has appointed Maureen Larsen as director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
North Platte has been recertified as an Economic Development Certified Community by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, recognizing major growth including 1,211 new homes, 60 new businesses, and over 1,000 new jobs. (North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corporation Executive Director Gary Person)
New Hampshire
Harvard Kennedy School’s Taubman Center brought 30 students to New Hampshire for its Rural Economic Development Trek, providing firsthand exposure to rural economic strategies, public-private partnerships, and transformative community projects. The program featured engagement with local business leaders and policymakers, emphasizing cross-sector collaboration and real-world lessons in rural economic development. (Taubman Center Executive Director Rafael Carbonell)
New Jersey
Choose New Jersey, led by President and Chief Executive Officer Wesley Mathews, concluded a governor-led economic mission to Mexico focused on deepening economic, educational, and cultural partnerships through meetings, new workforce and university agreements, and collaborations with the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, reinforcing international trade ties and cross-border investment opportunities.
New York
Kurt Foreman, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Delaware Prosperity Partnership, has been named President of Ithaca Area Economic Development after a national search. Foreman brings extensive experience, including leading initiatives that secured over $3.5 billion in investment and supported 11,000 jobs in Delaware. (Board Chair Jodi Lee Denman)
Andrew Kimball, president of the city’s Economic Development Corporation, is seeking to remain in his role under Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, with backing from the influential Partnership for New York City (CEO Kathryn Wylde). The corporation drives major initiatives including waterfront projects, NYC Ferry service, and the transformation of underutilized sites.
North Carolina
A new investigative series from Carolina Public Press highlights significant flaws in North Carolina’s economic distress tier system, revealing that the longstanding framework used to allocate economic development incentives does not accurately reflect real needs or drive meaningful progress in persistently distressed communities. Economic developers including Ashley Bolick (Caldwell County Economic Development Director), and Josh Carpenter (Director, Mountain West Partnership) argue the system’s inflexible criteria mask disparities, hinder tailored investment, and leave many rural areas without the resources necessary to pursue meaningful growth.
Ohio
The City of Piqua has approved plans for a $1 billion investment in a new data center, projected to generate significant economic impact—including $864 million in gross output during construction and ongoing annual contributions—while supporting hundreds of jobs and providing financial benefits for local schools and community infrastructure. (Economic Development Director Chris Schmiesing)
Oklahoma
Travis Stephens has been appointed Director of Economic Development for Broken Arrow, bringing nearly two decades of experience to guide the city’s rapid expansion. His priorities include attracting higher-paying jobs, supporting local businesses, and planning for sustainable growth alongside a proposed $400 million bond for major infrastructure and quality-of-life improvements.
Pennsylvania
Jake Rouch, who served as vice president of economic development for the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership for 23 years, has departed the organization. Rouch was recently recognized by the United States Chamber of Commerce Foundation for his leadership and has played key roles in regional development collaborations.
South Carolina
To support Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company's major investment and creation of over 500 manufacturing jobs, a coalition of South Carolina economic development groups—including Alliance Pickens (led by Executive Director Ray Farley)—partnered with local government and Tri-County Technical College to build a specialized training facility, strengthening the region’s skilled workforce and catalyzing broader economic growth.
Tennessee
Eight economic development professionals, including Tessa Gwyn (Economic Development Coordinator, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce), have graduated from the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services’ Tennessee Certified Economic Developer Program, joining a statewide network focused on innovative solutions for community challenges and comprehensive strategies for economic growth across Tennessee.
Texas
The Lubbock Economic Development Alliance convened business and civic leaders at its annual Economic Forecast Luncheon, featuring economist Marci Rossell and President and Chief Executive Officer John Osborne, to discuss national economic trends and highlight Lubbock's sustained growth, strategic opportunities, and commitment to job creation and investment across the region.
Stewart McGregor (executive director, Kaufman Economic Development Corporation) has been reappointed to the Texas Advisory Council on Cultural Affairs, where he will continue advising the governor’s office on statewide demographic trends, reinforcing the vital connection between economic development leadership and policy planning in Texas.
Ranch Hand, a division of Lippert Components, will invest at least $80 million in a new 400,000 square foot advanced manufacturing facility, creating over 320 new jobs in Seguin through a performance-based incentive agreement; this marks one of the region’s largest recent capital investments. (Economic Development Director Josh Schneuker)
Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, recently hosted a Commercialization and Investment Tour featuring a panel on regional economic and workforce development. Key leaders included Beverly Ticer Loftus (Chief Operating Officer, Harlingen EDC), and Ramiro Aleman (Economic Development Director, Cameron County).
Bastrop officials are considering dissolving the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation, reflecting a shift toward direct management of business growth as major employers including The Boring Company and SpaceX expand in the area. The proposal follows already reduced sales tax funding for the corporation and comes as the city explores reallocating resources to other community priorities. (City Manager and Interim Executive Director Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino)
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and former Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Missy Hughes led a European economic development mission earlier this year, costing over $160,000 and including stops in Germany and France. The trip, funded through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's trade mission budget, drew scrutiny for its expenses and questions about the impact of such overseas efforts.
