Economic Development and Developers in the News # 223

Welcome to the 222nd weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News!

This week: updates from 93 executives and organizations across 28 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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Arkansas

The Hot Springs Metro Partnership (President and Chief Executive Officer Gary Troutman) secured an amended city contract that requires it to bring at least three site selection consultants to Hot Springs next year. The agreement follows reports of four manufacturing projects totaling $80 million in investment and 165 new direct jobs, supporting broader regional economic growth.

California

The Encinitas City Council has approved the creation of an economic development commission to guide business development, shape city economic policies, and address barriers such as permitting bottlenecks and zoning impacts, with the goal of fostering a vibrant and diverse local economy.

Connecticut

Michael Harris has been appointed chief executive officer of both REX Development and the Economic Development Corporation of New Haven. He will lead regional collaboration, guide strategic growth, and align city-focused and regional economic development initiatives across South Central Connecticut.

Florida

The Titusville City Council is set to overhaul its economic development approach by establishing a seven-member Economic Development Organization board and considering new funding tools such as a Seed Fund Loan-Grant Program and a potential Tax-Increment Financing district. This shift follows the dissolution of the North Brevard Economic Development Zone.

Illinois

Angela Morrey has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County, where she will oversee strategic initiatives and partnerships aimed at driving regional economic growth. Morrey previously served as Vice President of Business Development and Director of Marketing and Business Attraction.

Iowa

Bryce Johnson has been appointed as the new community and economic development director for Indianola, where he is implementing business retention and expansion programs and streamlining development processes. He is also promoting mixed-use and residential projects to attract metro developers and strengthen the city's role in regional economic growth.

Mallory Hanson, who serves as Fayette County Economic Development and Tourism director and works through Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development, reported on significant projects including the Clermont Downtown Housing Project and the Turkey River Recreation Corridor, which has leveraged over $9.5 million since 2010 for regional housing and trail development initiatives.

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 and strategic impact in guiding over $23 billion in private business investment and advancing Kansas’s economic growth.

Kentucky

BE NKY Growth Partnership, led by President and Chief Executive Officer Lee Crume, has facilitated 799 business relocations or expansions since 1987, resulting in over 77,000 jobs and $10.2 billion in capital investment. The organization focuses on strengthening Northern Kentucky’s core industries and workforce through collaborative economic development initiatives.

John Shadowens, a community and economic development educator, is spotlighted for his efforts in advancing regional economic development through education and outreach initiatives that support workforce training, entrepreneurship, and local capacity building.

Louisiana

Greater New Orleans Inc., under President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Hecht, has led $70 million in infrastructure projects ahead of Super Bowl LIX and played a key role in advancing the Port NOLA $1.8 billion Louisiana International Terminal. These efforts reflect a broader shift toward more proactive regional economic development in Louisiana.

Louisiana’s economic incentives are under scrutiny, with industry and policy leaders offering mixed assessments of their effectiveness. Programs like the Rehabilitation of Historic Structures Tax Credit and LED Fast Start are highlighted for catalyzing downtown revitalization and workforce development, while the Industrial Tax Exemption Program and film tax credits face criticism for limited local impact. (Michael Hecht, Greater New Orleans Inc.; Jan Moller, Invest in Louisiana; Susan Bourgeois, Louisiana Economic Development)

Maryland

Jared Smith has been named president and chief executive officer of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, bringing experience from tourism development in Nevada and leadership at the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance. Smith is expected to strengthen Montgomery County’s long-term economic strategy and drive investment and opportunity for the county’s diverse, highly skilled population. (President and Chief Executive Officer, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation)

Michigan

Cherry Capital Airport has evolved into a regional small hub, increasing its annual passenger count to a record 787,114 in 2024 and expanding to 20 non-stop destinations. This growth, supported by Traverse Connect (President and Chief Executive Officer Warren Call), is driving business attraction and prompting a proposed $130 million terminal expansion to further enhance economic development in the region.

A recent study highlighted that Michigan's taxpayer-funded economic development efforts, led by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, have delivered just one job for every eleven promised over two decades. The findings have prompted bipartisan calls for the agency's significant reform, defunding, or dismantling due to concerns over accountability and effectiveness. (Michigan Economic Development Corporation, CEO Quentin Messer)

Michigan lawmakers are advancing new economic development policies as part of a deal with Governor Gretchen Whitmer to facilitate the creation and retention of high-skill, good-paying jobs statewide. House Speaker Matt Hall and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks have pledged to pass key legislation before year’s end.

Minnesota

Marv Calvin, former mayor of Willmar, has been appointed interim executive director of Kandiyohi County Economic Development following the resignation of Barbara Carr. Calvin plans an internal organizational review as the agency navigates leadership turnover and prepares for a new strategic direction. (Interim Executive Director Marv Calvin)

Missouri

The Missouri Department of Economic Development has appointed Danielle Briot as Director of its Division of Strategy and Performance, where she will lead efforts in economic research, data analysis, and program evaluation to enhance efficiency and effectiveness across the department’s initiatives.

Nebraska

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has awarded over $14.1 million in Community Development Block Grant funds to 38 projects across 33 communities, supporting downtown revitalization, planning, and public works initiatives aimed at enhancing economic well-being and quality of life in non-entitlement areas (Director Maureen Larsen).

Nevada

Michael Brown (former head of the Nevada Office of Economic Development and current fellow at the University of Nevada’s Lincy Institute) has raised significant concerns over Nevada’s large-scale film subsidy proposals, highlighting risks to the state’s limited tax base and questioning the effectiveness of such incentives in fostering sustainable creative industry jobs.

New York

Schuyler County Business Park has become the first site in New York State to achieve Gold Designation status through the REDI program, marking a significant milestone for the region’s economic development efforts. (Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development)

North Carolina

Trey Cash has been appointed chief operating officer of the North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region, following a regional restructuring to unify economic development efforts across Greene, Lenoir, and Wayne counties. Cash (chief operating officer) will lead daily operations and focus on business recruitment, expansion, and workforce development.

Ohio

The Ohio Department of Development has released guidelines for the new $25 million Residential Economic Development District Program, which aims to expand workforce housing and related infrastructure near major economic projects. Applications for communities and partners open December 16, with Director Lydia Mihalik highlighting the program’s role in supporting Ohio’s economic growth.

Oklahoma

Norman City Council is considering a contract with the Cleveland County Economic Development Coalition (formerly the Norman Economic Development Coalition) to promote countywide economic development initiatives, with an estimated annual fee of $125,000; concerns were raised about financial transparency and audit requirements in the proposed agreement.

Pennsylvania

The Chester County Economic Development Council reported a landmark fiscal year 2025, setting records in financing, workforce development, and support for local businesses and entrepreneurs, including over $42 million in small business loans through Seedcopa, $3.4 million in new workforce grants, and expanded programming for veterans and disadvantaged groups (President and Chief Operating Officer Mike Grigalonis).

South Carolina

The South Carolina Economic Development Institute, a partnership between the South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association and the South Carolina Department of Commerce, recently graduated its 2025 class, continuing its mission to develop leaders supporting statewide economic growth through professional training and collaboration.

A coalition of South Carolina government, educational, and economic development organizations—including Alliance Pickens (Executive Director Ray Farley)—partnered to build a specialized training facility supporting Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company's new manufacturing plant. The project has resulted in over 500 new jobs and significant economic investment while establishing a model for workforce development in the region.

John Truluck (Director, Dorchester County Economic Development Office) has been named Local Developer of the Year by the South Carolina Economic Developer’s Association, recognizing his 23-year career, leadership in founding the Dorchester Economic Development Corporation, and role in attracting over $1.3 billion in investment and creating more than 4,600 new jobs.

South Dakota

The Sioux Metro Growth Alliance is hosting its annual Growth Summit focused on "Energizing Tomorrow," highlighting the critical role of energy infrastructure in economic development, data centers, and artificial intelligence. Industry leaders, including Tyler Tordsen (president and chief executive officer) and Michael Bockorny (chief executive officer, Economic Development Professionals Association), will discuss policy frameworks, incentives, and strategies to ensure regional competitiveness and attract major investments in the region.

Stephanie Mason, vice president of economic development and operations at the Brookings Economic Development Corporation, has been named recipient of the 2025 Mayor’s Generational Leadership Award in recognition of her leadership in driving business growth, fostering public-private partnerships, and advancing initiatives in child care, workforce development, and regional prosperity.

Tennessee

Tessa Gwyn, Economic Development Coordinator at the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, has earned the Tennessee Certified Economic Developer designation after completing the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services program, further strengthening the chamber’s team and its efforts to drive economic growth and opportunity in the region. (Vice President of Economic and Talent Development Adam Myers)

Texas

Vince Yokom (Executive Director, Waller County Economic Development Partnership) highlighted the importance of strong capital investment and quality jobs in building sustainable communities. He explained how public-private partnerships and tax-funded models drive economic growth and help reduce residential tax burdens across Texas.

Adrian Cannady, president of the Temple Economic Development Corporation, has been named chair of the Texas Economic Development Council, the professional association representing more than 850 economic development organizations and professionals statewide. Cannady’s leadership highlights the Temple Economic Development Corporation's influence on economic development strategy across Texas.

Alora Wachholz has been promoted to director of economic development for the City of Seguin and executive director of the Seguin Economic Development Corporation, following her notable role in industrial recruitment, business retention, and strategic planning. She brings 15 years of statewide experience and nationally recognized credentials to advance Seguin’s investment and job growth initiatives.

Vermont

The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance convened over 150 outdoor industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers at its 7th Annual Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit, emphasizing business development, sector resilience, and community investment.

Virginia

Henrico County is advancing plans for “Best Products Reimagined,” a 93-acre, arena-anchored mixed-use redevelopment. Officials indicate that the outdated former Best Products headquarters building will likely be demolished rather than incorporated into the new project. (Outgoing Economic Development Director Anthony Romanello)

Global Concentrate, a supplier of fruit and vegetable juice products, is moving forward with its planned $121 million investment to establish its largest United States processing operation. Construction progress and job creation updates are being shared by Franklin Southampton Economic Development Inc. (President and Chief Executive Officer Karl Heck).

The Isle of Wight County Economic Development Authority has committed nearly $100,000 to upgrade signage at the Shirley T. Holland Intermodal Park as part of broader efforts to enhance infrastructure supporting manufacturing and distribution growth, with Economic Development Director Kristi Sutphin overseeing the initiative in collaboration with partners like W.M. Jordan.

Harrisonburg Economic Development has opened applications for the second round of its Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, offering early-stage business owners one-on-one coaching, targeted skill development, and the opportunity for a $2,500 grant upon program completion. (Deputy Director of Economic Development Peirce Macgill)

Washington

Andrea Chartock has been appointed to lead the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness at the Washington State Department of Commerce, bringing over 25 years of global experience in advancing industry sectors, exports, and inclusive economic growth to the agency’s executive team.