Economic Development and Developers in the News # 227
Econ dev news from 32 economic development executives and organizations in 18 states.
Welcome to the 227th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News!
This week: updates from 32 executives and organizations across 18 states.
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Alabama
Hunter Gentry (Executive Director, Historic Main Street Oxford) joined Main Street Alabama’s annual Legislative Day on the Hill to advocate for continued investment in downtown revitalization, citing statewide results of more than 270 jobs created and over $100 million invested through public-private partnerships.
Connecticut
The Ridgefield Economic and Community Development Commission has set its 2026 priorities, including business retention, arts and tourism, and business attraction. The commission also renewed membership in the Connecticut Main Street Center to support downtown revitalization and strategic planning. (Executive Director Michelle McCabe, Connecticut Main Street Center)
Delaware
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer is pivoting the state’s economic development strategy toward an “innovation economy,” emphasizing permitting reform and support for startups through the Delaware Prosperity Partnership. Business leaders have welcomed the moves, which aim to streamline regulatory processes and strengthen the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Georgia
Fulton County has secured the No. 13 spot nationally in Site Selection magazine’s Top Counties rankings, marking its third consecutive year in the Top 20. The recognition highlights the county’s strategic approach to economic development, led by Select Fulton (Director Samir Abdullahi), and underscores its role as a key economic driver for metro Atlanta and the broader region.
Idaho
Steven Jenkins has left his role as economic development director for the City of Caldwell after six years marked by rapid population growth, expanded business investment, and significant job creation, including more than 3,000 new positions since 2021. He championed strategic projects and community initiatives that strengthened Caldwell’s economy and reputation.
Iowa
Panelists at the Business Record’s annual Economic Forecast event, including Debi Durham (director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Finance Authority) anticipate steady but strained economic growth in 2026, with uncertainty around inflation, trade policy, and geopolitics influencing business planning across key industries.
Maryland
The Maryland Economic Development Association’s latest study, conducted with Salisbury University’s Business Economic and Community Outreach Network, found county economic development offices delivered a record three-year average return of $9.18 in tax revenue for every $1 invested, underscoring the growing impact of sustained economic development efforts statewide. (MEDA Board President Tammi Thomas)
Michigan
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has awarded more than $23.9 million in performance-based grants through the Michigan Talent Partnership Program to six communities for placemaking projects aimed at boosting talent attraction and economic growth statewide. (Senior Vice President of Community Planning and Development Readiness: Michele Wildman, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation).
Grand Rapids has secured $4.3 million in Michigan Economic Development Corporation funding as part of the Michigan Talent Partnership Program, supporting the transformation of the Monroe North district with pedestrian-oriented infrastructure, accessible public spaces, and multimodal transit improvements. (Economic Development Director Sarah Rainero)
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is supporting five redevelopment projects through its Revitalization and Placemaking program, awarding grants totaling over $8.7 million to transform vacant properties into new housing and commercial spaces across several Michigan communities, advancing the state’s “Make It in Michigan” economic development strategy. (Senior Vice President of Community Planning and Development Readiness Michele Wildman)
Mississippi
The Greater Grenada Foundation for Economic Development, Grenada County, and Montgomery County have launched a three-year regional alliance to advance shared priorities in workforce housing, industrial site development, and business recruitment, reflecting a broader trend toward regional economic collaboration in Mississippi. (Greater Grenada Partnership President and Chief Executive Officer Matthew Harrison)
Nebraska
Burt County will host the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference, organized by Nebraska Extension and Rural Prosperity Nebraska, to spotlight local business and tourism opportunities. Burt County Economic Development Director Cindy Chatt highlighted the county’s recent tourism campaign aimed at increasing visibility and promoting its diverse recreational and cultural assets.
Nevada
Chris Markl has been appointed to lead community and economic development initiatives at the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, where he will oversee programs supporting small business growth, expand access to business education in underserved regions, and strengthen statewide economic analysis and planning.
New Jersey
Evan Weiss has been named chief executive officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, where he will lead efforts to expand economic opportunity, support innovation, and increase access to capital for small and minority-owned businesses across the state, building on experience across the public and private sectors, including work on New Jersey’s recent Economic Recovery Act.
Pennsylvania
Penn State Extension, in partnership with the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Planning Association and the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development, is launching a webinar series to equip community leaders with strategies for equitable land-use planning, affordable housing, and community development. Featured speakers include John Turack (community and economic development extension program specialist) and Stephan Goetz (director, Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development).
Economic development leaders in rural Central Pennsylvania anticipate modest but steady growth in 2026, driven by resilient sectors such as health care and education, continued entrepreneurial activity, and expanding broadband infrastructure, according to Christine Ngo (Bucknell University associate professor), Jennifer Wakeman (chief executive officer, DRIVE), and Steven Stumbris (director, Bucknell Small Business Development Center).
Tennessee
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell highlighted major economic development priorities for 2026, including advancing the Tennessee Performing Arts Center relocation, shaping the East Bank, expanding workforce development, and enhancing affordability initiatives, supported by a team led by development director Chris Koster and economic and community development director Jamari Brown.
Texas
The McKinney Economic Development Corporation’s Innovation Fund is driving growth in North Texas by providing grants of $50,000 to $500,000 to early-stage startups, supporting job creation, and attracting technology firms and global companies to the region. (Project Manager Mike Wilkes; Marketing Manager Luke Gajary)
Greater:SATX has launched a new five-year strategy aimed at attracting more corporate headquarters and strengthening workforce development in the San Antonio region, with President and Chief Executive Officer Sarah Carabias Rush emphasizing targeted recruitment and expanded air service as keys to building on recent job and population growth.
The San Angelo City Council approved the rezoning of a 345-acre city-owned tract for light manufacturing, aligning with the area’s master plan and aiming to attract industrial investment while addressing community concerns about water use and environmental safeguards. (Economic Development Official Michael Looney)
Virginia
The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, with support from the Virginia Tech Center for Economic and Community Engagement, has released a comprehensive strategic plan to guide investment in Southern and Southwest Virginia, emphasizing transformational projects, sustainable funding practices, and collaborative partnerships to drive long-term regional prosperity. (Scott Tate, associate director of community innovations, Virginia Tech Center for Economic and Community Engagement)
Alexandria City Council approved the ALX Forward framework, a new roadmap designed to enhance economic competitiveness by boosting business investment, diversifying the tax base, and supporting local industries such as artificial intelligence. (Alexandria Economic Development Partnership President and Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Landrum)
Washington
The Port Angeles City Council has adopted the “Vision 2045” Comprehensive Plan, a long-term strategy designed to promote economic development, support tourism and high-wage jobs, and expand housing access through 2045. Extensive public engagement and targeted policy updates underpin the plan’s balanced approach to growth, resilience, and economic opportunity.
The Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority has awarded economic development grants to three entities as part of its ongoing efforts to stimulate regional economic growth and support business development initiatives. These grants reflect the organization’s commitment to fostering local entrepreneurship and enhancing economic opportunities across the area.
West Virginia
Samuel Lusk (Economic Development Director, City of Princeton) has filed to run for West Virginia’s 39th House of Delegates District, citing his background in local economic initiatives and experience with the West Virginia Republican Party and Congresswoman Carol Miller’s office.
