Economic Development and Developers in the News # 228

Welcome to the 228th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News!

This week: updates from 40 executives and organizations across 19 states.

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Alabama

The Alabama Department of Commerce has appointed Carter Thomas and Margaret Henderson to lead its Rural Development Division, succeeding Brenda Tuck. Backed by a strategy that has generated $7 billion in rural investment and nearly 9,000 jobs since 2020, the division aims to accelerate economic growth and job creation across Alabama’s rural counties.

California

The Social Entrepreneurs for Economic Development 3 program in California is offering an estimated $6.75 million in grant funding to support social entrepreneurship initiatives, with awards distributed through advances and reimbursements and no requirement for matched funding.

Peggy Murphy has been named Director of Humboldt County’s Economic Development Division, bringing over a decade of experience in workforce development and small business support to the role. Murphy will oversee programs and partnerships to promote sustainable, inclusive growth and will lead strategic efforts to support economic vitality in the region.

Vacaville is merging its Economic Development and Community Development departments into a new Community and Economic Development Department under the leadership of Erin Morris (Community & Economic Development Director), aiming to better coordinate growth, streamline services, and advance strategic initiatives that strengthen the city’s business climate and quality of life.

Connecticut

Connecticut’s Department of Labor reported the state ended 2025 with a 4.2 percent unemployment rate, reflecting slow job growth, a shrinking labor force, and workforce challenges despite resilience in key sectors. Both Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo and Connecticut Business and Industry Association President and Chief Executive Officer Chris DiPentima emphasized the need for coordinated policy actions to ensure long-term economic growth.

Florida

Biller Genie, an automated billing and accounts receivable platform, has opened a new 14,000-square-foot headquarters in Orlando following its Series B financing led by Radian Capital, signaling continued global growth and the creation of 150 new jobs. (Tim Giuliani, President and Chief Executive Officer, Orlando Economic Partnership)

The University of South Florida now generates nearly ten billion dollars in annual economic impact across Florida, driven by workforce development, research, alumni earnings, and health care delivery. The university’s expanding research enterprise, major investments in health care, and high graduate retention underscore its role as a leading statewide economic engine.

Georgia

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is leading an economic development mission to Belgium and the United Kingdom, aiming to attract investment and highlight recent historic efforts to enhance affordability and drive economic growth in the state.

Indiana

Roberto Gallardo (associate professor of agricultural economics and vice president for engagement at Purdue University) has published “Indiana at a Glance: County Trends, 2025 Edition,” offering data-driven insights into socioeconomic and demographic trends to support informed community economic development planning across Indiana and the upper Midwest.

Indiana State Representative Ed DeLaney has called for a House select committee to investigate the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, seeking greater transparency and accountability following a forensic report that detailed conflicts of interest and no-bid contracts within the organization but did not confirm misuse of funds.

Louisiana

Governor Jeff Landry has launched the Whole-of-Louisiana Energy Strategy, a statewide framework designed to align public and private partners to accelerate energy investment, innovation, and high-wage job creation. This initiative, driven by Louisiana Economic Development (Secretary Susan Bourgeois) and the Department of Conservation and Energy (Secretary Dustin Davidson), aims to solidify Louisiana’s leadership in global energy production and reduce foreign energy dependence.

Michigan

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Economic Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer Quentin L. Messer, Jr. are leading an investment mission at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, aiming to foster global partnerships and attract foreign direct investment through Michigan’s "Make It in Michigan" economic development strategy, with a focus on innovation, workforce talent, and advanced manufacturing.

Nevada

Governor Brian Sandoval has appointed Steve Hill (Interim Executive Director), Terri Janison (Regional Director), and Sonia Joya (Southern Nevada Director) to key positions in Nevada’s newly established Office of Economic Development, as part of a broader effort to develop a state plan and revitalize Nevada’s economy through enhanced business development and regional partnerships.

North Carolina

Fayetteville is pursuing a renewed bid for a federal Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to support the Murchison Choice Neighborhood Plan, with Economic and Community Development Director Chris Cauley highlighting strengthened partnerships and enhanced readiness for large-scale mixed-income housing and neighborhood revitalization.

Ohio

Medina and Montville Township are moving to expand their joint economic development district, adding roughly 59 acres for future projects including multi-family housing, a Veterans Administration clinic, and an assisted living facility, with commercial development also planned. (Medina Economic Development Director Kimberly Marshall)

WOIO, Cleveland 19 News, is relocating its news operations to the Independence Technology Center following negotiations involving ITC owner Richard Pace and city council, with Economic Development Director Jessica Hyser facilitating the transition. The city has acquired WOIO’s previous property for future economic development, while additional agreements advance land deals and settlements to spur commercial growth in the area.

Pennsylvania

More than 125 economic development leaders from across Pennsylvania convened through the Grow Pennsylvania initiative, led by the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia (President and Chief Executive Officer Rob Wonderling), to prioritize policy ideas—particularly in healthcare, post-secondary education, and infrastructure—to develop a statewide economic growth agenda aimed at attracting investment and strengthening the workforce.

The TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce hosted an economic development panel featuring regional leaders including Stephen Forster (Director of Commerce, Montgomery County), Pamela Menet (Director of Community and Economic Development, Berks County), and Michel Grigalonis (President and Chief Operating Officer, Chester County Economic Development Council), who discussed rising energy costs, the impact of data center growth, succession planning, housing affordability, and increased regional collaboration to strengthen key industries and infrastructure.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority, overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, has approved over $279 million in grants for 768 statewide infrastructure projects to improve transportation systems and water quality—underscoring the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to community revitalization and economic competitiveness. (DCED Secretary Rick Siger)

Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development have awarded $3.3 million in new grants through the Manufacturing Pennsylvania Training-to-Career Program, supporting hands-on training and career pathways in manufacturing and the skilled trades for over 6,500 students statewide.

South Dakota

A proposed constitutional amendment in South Dakota, advanced by grassroots conservatives and introduced by Representative Spencer Gosch, would ban the use of eminent domain for economic development or increased tax revenue, triggering statewide debate over landowner rights versus business attraction.

South Dakota lawmakers have rejected a proposal to increase oversight of the state’s Future Fund, maintaining exclusive control under the governor. The fund, administered by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, will remain a flexible tool for responding to economic opportunities after opposition from business groups and the current administration.

Texas

Michael Talley, former senior vice president of the McKinney Economic Development Corp, has been appointed as Plano’s new Director of Economic Development. With extensive experience in business recruitment and notable achievements such as overseeing multimillion-dollar support programs, Talley will lead economic development initiatives and Visit Plano beginning February 16.

Helen Ramirez (Director, Economic and Local Business Development) has been appointed as the first leader of San Marcos’ newly established department focused on economic growth, business retention, and sustainable development, overseeing Main Street and Business Retention and Expansion programs to strengthen the city’s economic foundation and foster long-term vitality.

Vermont

Sarah Pelkey, currently Poultney’s community development director, has been named director of economic development at the Chamber and Economic Development of the Rutland Region, where she will focus on attracting, retaining, and expanding businesses, managing grant and loan programs, and enhancing regional partnerships.

Virginia

The Central Virginia Transportation Authority has approved $10.3 million to support infrastructure and transportation improvements for the first phase of Richmond’s Diamond District mixed-use development, helping to fill a funding gap alongside the Richmond Economic Development Authority (Economic Development Director Angie Rodgers) and advance this major public-private initiative.

West Virginia

West Virginia’s House Republican majority has outlined an ambitious economic development agenda, including the TEAM-WV initiative modeled after JobsOhio, expanded site readiness grants, infrastructure improvements, and workforce-focused legislation to boost job creation and business growth.

Wisconsin

John W. Miller has been appointed secretary and chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, bringing manufacturing and venture capital experience to guide the agency’s efforts in supporting both large projects—such as data centers and major employers—and smaller Main Street businesses, while focusing on job creation and technological innovation amid ongoing economic challenges. (Secretary and Chief Executive Officer John W. Miller)

Collaboration among local governments, educational institutions, and business groups is strengthening economic development in Superior and Douglas County, with the Superior-Douglas County Area Chamber of Commerce.

Wyoming

David Pope, commissioner on the Wyoming Stable Token Commission and governor's liaison on the Wyoming Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology and Digital Innovation Technology, is advocating for reforming the Wyoming Business Council into a lean, marketing-focused business development office to better promote Wyoming's advantages and sustain growth.