Economic Development and Developers in the News # 233

Welcome to the 233rd weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News!

This week: updates from 115 executives and organizations across 39 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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Alabama

A new bill would let Lauderdale County leave the Shoals Economic Development Fund that supports business and jobs in Lauderdale and Colbert counties, reports.

Arizona

Ryan Touhill, the new economic development director for Phoenix, sees aerospace as a big chance to grow because the city has plenty of land for new projects.

Mesa is moving forward on a $30 million AZ State University expansion in downtown Arts and Innovation district to create jobs and attract private investment.

The International Sonoran Desert Alliance opened the Sonoran Desert Hub, a 3,500-square-foot business center that advances small business growth in the Sonoran Desert Biosphere Region with help from the United States Department of Agriculture and partners.

Arkansas

Bruce Burrow, who built big stores, and worked with the Arkansas Real Estate Commission and Arkansas Economic Development Commission, died at 83.

California

Streamline Sacramento used 40 actions in its first year to speed up housing and economic development, cutting costs and helping businesses.

Matt Sanford is the new CEO of San Diego East County Economic Development Council, with almost 20 years of local experience.

Colorado

Chaffee County and its Economic Development Corporation have invested over $12 million in business, housing, childcare, infrastructure, and tourism to grow the economy, increase population and productivity, and lower unemployment details.

Colorado lawmakers passed a bill to extend the Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit through 2034, supported by economic development leaders like Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer and Candace Carnahan for helping attract employers and boost the economy.

Chaffee County Commissioners Dave Armstrong talked about their economic development efforts like investing in housing, childcare, tourism, and working with others to help the economy grow and change.

The city of Thornton is using the Environmental Protection Agency Technical Assistance to Brownfields program to help Adam Krueger revitalize the old Thornton Shopping Center with cleanup, zoning changes, shops, homes, and community spaces.

The Las Colonias riverfront in Grand Junction is changing from just a park into a busy business area, with help from city leaders and Curtis Englehart, as more people want to build there along the Colorado River.

Connecticut

The Ridgefield Economic and Community Development Commission wants a $148,000 budget to fund a economic development and boost business and culture, but selectpersons doubt the full amount will be approved this year.

The Ansonia Economic Development Commission, has restarted regular meetings to work on storefront loans and fixing empty stores.

Florida

Levy County made Landon Harrar their economic development manager to help grow businesses and improve the economy.

Georgia

Jamestown has been selected by New York Life Insurance Company will redevelop North Point Mall into a sports and entertainment area to try to bring an NHL team to Atlanta.

Mayoral candidate Steven Kendrick started a new digital series called “Let’s Get Real About Economic Development” to talk about economic development projects in Augusta, first looking at what happened to Regency Mall.

Bulloch County and Statesboro leaders are checking rules and getting public advice to prepare for possible investment as data centers grow in Georgia.

Jessie Owensby has become White County’s new Community and Economic Development Director to lead planning, zoning, and growth efforts.

Illinois

Apply now for Cook County Forging Growth, a six-month program by Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center with up to $35,000 in project cost help to grow manufacturing businesses.

The Obama Foundation is finishing the Obama Presidential Center and focusing on inclusive economic development by working with minority-led firms, hiring local workers, and supporting business partnerships in Chicago’s South Side.

Illinois is ranked #2 for business growth by Site Selection Magazine, with Chicago #1 metro for 13 years, thanks to efforts by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Illinois Economic Development Corporation (Christy George).

Southland Development Authority and Far South Community Development Corporation have submitted updated downtown Homewood plans to ask for less money and add more housing.

Evergreen Park is experiencing has new businesses like restaurants and shops, and Mayor Kelly Burke says bringing in more businesses is key for the town's future.

Carpentersville has updated its business webpage with market data, vacancy rates, and key area highlights to attract developers and investors led.

Advanced nuclear reactors and data centers could boost rural economic development by bringing jobs and new investments, but this is not for the Econ Dev Show.

Destination Illinois LLC will build a nearly $2 billion shopping and entertainment center in Glen Carbon using the new expanded STAR bond program to create jobs, attract millions of visitors, and make $714 million each year, said Robert Stephan, Executive Vice President, Destination Illinois.

Indiana

The Industrial Commons will host an event to share ideas on improving local manufacturing and workforce development initiatives.

The Kosciusko Leadership Academy had a session on regional infrastructure, planning, and economic development where Peggy Simmons, CEO of Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation, talked about workforce growth, keeping talent, housing, and helping local businesses.

The Indiana University East School of Business and Economics helps students learn about economic development, leadership, and business by inviting speakers like Valerie Shaffer (President, Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County) and Senator Jeff Raatz.

The City of Batesville wants a new Director of Economic Development and Strategy to take over from retiring Director Sarah Lamping, showing the city's ongoing focus on economic development initiatives and planning.

Iowa

The SE Des Moines Industrial Park is a rare city site with full utilities, highway access, and can get local and state incentives like Tax Increment Financing and Tax Abatement.

Iowa State University helped Iowa's economy by $6 billion in 2023-2024, creating jobs and $2.1 billion linked to economic development and businesses helped by its centers.

Perry Economic Development Inc. held its yearly banquet where Alex Lynch from Greater Des Moines Partnership spoke about Perry's role in regional economic growth and jobs.

Greater Des Moines is ranked second for economic development in Site Selection Magazine’s 2025 Governor’s Cup, with 37 projects and over $2.5 billion invested, showing its strong economy (Stacie LoVan).

Kentucky

Louisville Economic Development Alliance and Greater Louisville Inc. joined to create One Louisville Inc., a nonprofit led by Trevor Pawl that focuses on economic development, talent attraction, member services, and advocacy to improve regional competitiveness.

The Covington Board of Commissioners prioritized economic development in Latonia, sidewalk repair, affordable housing, and job projects led by Tom West, with Mayor Washington focusing on the riverfront development.

Louisiana

Les Cantrell, who directed economic development and planning in Pointe Coupee Parish for 20 years, passed away at 69.

Louisiana's economic development agency, Louisiana Economic Development, got a new leadership, advisory group, more powers to get grants, and make its own decisions, led by Committee of 100 for Economic Development and Secretary Susan Bourgeois, to help the state grow faster.

Greater New Orleans Inc. (Michael Hecht) announced almost $20 billion invested and 2,000 jobs made or kept in recent economic development wins as leaders talked about teamwork and big projects like the Louisiana International Terminal at their annual lunch.

Akston is opening a new factory in Shreveport, Louisiana with $7 million, creating 162 jobs and helping the local life sciences industry details.

Maine

Wiscasset’s economic development advisory committee is working on goals like affordable housing, better energy, tourism, and small business support, with help from Economic Development Director Aaron Chrostowsky for community plans.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley met with Franklin County leaders to discuss rural economic challenges and local strategies alongside the $4 billion Mass Leads Act and a future economic development bond bill.

Minnesota

Hope Williams is the new economic development director for Detroit Lakes to help local businesses and housing grow.

Mississippi

The City of Vicksburg has raised its yearly funding for the Vicksburg-Warren Economic Development Partnership to $150,000 to help with regional efforts that gained $4.8 billion in investment and 1,000 jobs.

District 22 Representative Justin Crosby brought officials together to talk about Aberdeen Port and its big economic development potential with land, rail, water, and roads.

Missouri

Melissa Combs, former economic development director for Dunklin County, is now Kennett's city administrator as the city works on its first big plan in years.

CRG, part of Clayco, will start talks with Festus for a big data center, with MarksNelson Advisors LLC helping on economic development incentives.

The Counselors of Real Estate Consulting Corps, with St. Louis Economic Development Partnership and St. Louis REALTORS®, shared ideas to help Spanish Lake grow before WildCare Park opens in 2027, which Rodney Crim says will boost the local economy by over $660 million.

Nebraska

La Vista's Economic Development Program, which helped build The Astro, Conference Center, and CHI Sports Complex, is back on the ballot to use $4 million a year from current taxes to support economic development without raising taxes.

Ord’s economic development director says walking tours and fixing up properties help attract investment and show off community strengths.

Nevada

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development, led by Tom Burns, works with Taylor Adams from EDAWN and Danielle Casey from Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance to use tax abatements to help businesses in areas like advanced manufacturing and data centers grow.

Nevada’s utility providers, like investing, are investing billions in water, power, and gas upgrades to help the state grow and diversify.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Office of Economic Development is accepting applications for its National Science Foundation Innovation Corps program to help UNLV teams turn research into businesses details.

New Hampshire

Ward of Colliers was elected chairman of the Portsmouth Economic Development Commission to lead economic plans for the city.

New Jersey

Evan Weiss, former head of the Newark Alliance, will lead the Economic Development Authority to help New Jersey’s economic development and investment plans.

New Mexico

The REDI Summit will gather leaders like Hector Balderas to review job growth plans for Northern New Mexico details.

The Silver City Town Council created an Economic Development Research Committee led by District 2 Councilor Nick Prince to study economic data and help businesses find funding and state programs details.

New York

Tyler Park resigned as Ogdensburg’s economic developer after leading meetings and working on a Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant, and the city is now looking for someone to attract investment, improve downtown and waterfront areas, and support economic growth.

North Dakota

Applied Digital is working with local businesses to improve a bowling alley and build a big campus in North Dakota, using clear plans and meeting community needs to win support highlighted.

Ohio

Lake to River Economic Development, a JobsOhio affiliate, reported $860 million in projects in 2025, led by Kimberly-Clark’s $800 million plant and other investments from Sarah Boyarko (vice president, economic development).

Jonas Peterson has been named chief economic development officer and president of One Columbus, using over 20 years of experience from Southwest Michigan First and the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance to boost jobs, investment, and the economy in Columbus.

Ellen Heinz, the President and CEO, will resign from Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development in March 2026, and the Executive Committee will manage the transition to keep economic development efforts moving.

The City of Akron, led by Suzie Graham Moore, is talking with the State Historic Preservation Office to redevelop the old Firestone Plant #1 into a mixed-use housing project.

Oklahoma

The Tulsa City Council approved a $2.5 million economic development package to help IKEA build in Tulsa Hills by improving parking, roads, and other infrastructure.

Oregon

Baker County officials want public ideas on using a 62-acre land, with help from the Economic Development Council and Bryan Tweit.

Pennsylvania

Luzerne County approved a new Community Planning and Economic Development Division to boost economic growth by combining Community Development, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Planning and Zoning details.

The Chester County Economic Development Council, led by President and Chief Operating Officer Mike Grigalonis and Vice President, Development Finance Chris McHenry, became a certified Community Development Financial Institution and started Ignite CDFI to help underserved entrepreneurs with $13.4 million in loans and 549 jobs saved across nine counties.

Governor Josh Shapiro announced a $5 million investment from Berwick Industries and over $3 million from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (Secretary Rick Siger) to open a new factory and create 125 jobs.

South Carolina

The Greenville City Economic Development Corporation will be the center for SC Nexus’ new statewide energy group, starting a program to link entrepreneurs and labs to improve energy and jobs in South Carolina. (President and Chief Executive Officer Sam Konduros).

South Dakota

South Dakota lawmakers are thinking about big changes to state-funded economic development, like making employer contributions to the Future Fund voluntary and increasing the waiting time for state officials to work for major contractors.

First Premier Bank CEO Dana Dykhouse won the Excellence in Economic Development Award for his work on workforce development and the Build Dakota Scholarship program details.

South Dakota is rethinking economic development because lawmakers like Representative Erik Muckey want changes due to worries about property taxes and big infrastructure talks.

A South Dakota Senate Committee passed Senate Bill 228 to add new rules for tax increment financing districts, a key economic development tool used in the state.

Tennessee

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development is holding a regional meeting about the Memphis Regional Opportunity Zones 2.0 program that helps investment in poor areas with tax breaks, with leaders like Lamont Price and Walter Perry.

Hamilton County is creating a new state park at McDonald Farm and working with Adam Myers from economic development at Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce to find land for jobs while protecting the environment.

Texas

Hidalgo County’s economic development brought leaders together to talk about big projects and jobs from companies like SpaceX.

The Dallas Economic Development Corporation and AECOM shared a report that says Dallas City Hall might need up to one billion dollars for a full redevelopment, and the city's Economic Development Committee will lead the next steps.

The City of Houston’s economic development team is hosting a Business Breakfast with Ricky Baker to talk about startup resources, financing, and mentorship for entrepreneurs.

Marshall Economic Development and Rush Harris got the Good Samaritan Award from East Texas Baptist University for helping grow the local economy and support jobs in East Texas.

The Fort Bend Regional Partnership, formerly the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, announced new economic development plans like the Fort Bend 2050 Report, hired Joe Esch, and increased teamwork between public and private groups under CEO Keri Schmidt.

Denton is growing fast with the new $10 billion Landmark community adding homes and jobs, and Denton Economic Development Partnership (Brittany Sotelo) is working to bring in big employers.

The Council for South Texas Economic Progress recently held a forum with three economic development leaders—Gilberto Salinas, Orlando Campos, and Ramiro Aleman—to talk about working together for regional growth with help from Harlingen Economic Development Corporation.

The College Station City Council has approved a letter of intent with The Station Baseball LLC to build a ninety-acre baseball and softball complex that could bring in twenty-eight million dollars and sixty thousand hotel bookings each year. (Chief Development Officer Michael Ostrowski).

Bellaire City Council is planning to focus on economic development, beautification, and fixing infrastructure to make the city better for residents and visitors.

Utah

Navajo Nation TV & Film and the Utah Film Commission signed an agreement to boost economic development and real Indigenous stories by creating jobs, training workers, and supporting Navajo-led films.

Vermont

Vermont’s new CHIP has launched plans to support $2 billion in projects by 2035 to help towns and builders work together on big housing projects using tax money. (Lindsay Kurrle, Secretary, Agency of Commerce and Community Development).

Virginia

Virginia leaders like Buddy Rizer (Loudoun County Economic Development Director) and Glenn Davis (former Virginia Department of Energy Director) told Delaware lawmakers how data centers boosted their economy and taxes but also have challenges.

Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz proposed a $1.69 billion budget for 2027, sending $650 million to schools, $98 million to housing, and cutting $10.6 million in services and jobs affecting Arlington Economic Development.

Emily Archer became the acting director of Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development, leading big projects and ongoing programs like grants, workforce training, trade missions, and business support.

Washington

Mike Fong, Everett’s new senior executive director for economic development, will lead a city plan to grow the economy by improving infrastructure, housing, and small business support as light rail comes.

West Virginia

West Virginia lawmakers are pushing the TEAM-WV economic development bill to help create jobs and boost the state's economy.

Brandon Dennison supports is advancing by creating programs like the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center and the Marshall Skills Exchange to train workers with skills that help the region's economy grow.

Wisconsin

Two Rivers city leaders approved rezoning the Hamilton property to help redesign it with ideas from the public and collaboration at UW-Green Bay.

Carl Buddig and Company is spending $125 million to grow Old Wisconsin sausage in Sheboygan with $2.75 million in Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation tax credits, making 75 new jobs.