Economic Development and Developers in the News # 234

Welcome to the 234th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News!

This week: updates from 155 executives and organizations across 35 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

Huntsville City Schools plan a $600 million upgrade over 10 years, helped by over $5 million from area economic development districts.

Dr. Teresa Merriweather Orok was named to Who’s Who for leadership in economic development and as the first Black woman to chair University Economic Development Association.

Arizona

Yuma County Economic Development Corporation and The Retail Coach continue retail recruitment partnership, gaining 50+ prospects and Bomgaars project. Source.

Taiwan-based Jiann Sheng Machinery & Electric Industrial Company has joined the University of Arizona Center for Innovation’s startup incubator, a direct result of a recent Arizona-Taiwan trade mission led by the Arizona Commerce Authority. Supported by Pima County Economic Development (Director Heath Vescovi-Chiordi), this move strengthens Southern Arizona’s semiconductor ecosystem and international economic ties. Source

Arkansas

A debate in Northwest Arkansas stresses aligning industrial initiatives with defense needs for regional growth strategies.

Clark County’s Southwest Arkansas Mega Site has earned the Competitive Communities Initiative designation from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, along with Select Site and ONSite certifications from Entergy Arkansas and the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, signaling the site’s readiness for large-scale advanced industry projects. (Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance President and CEO Shelley Short) Source

California

Aaron Schulze became Vista’s new economic development manager with 20+ years experience to lead business growth and investment.

Matthew Sanford is the new CEO of the East County Economic Development Council.

Economic development leaders from organizations such as the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen Cheung) emphasized at the recent International Economic Development Council summit that mega-events like the FIFA World Cup and Olympics deliver limited long-term economic benefits unless aligned with regional priorities, inclusive planning, and transparent evaluation.

Hazel Wetherford, previously Economic Development Director, has been promoted to Deputy City Manager for Dublin.

Santa Ana won honorable mention for faster project reviews in economic development at Orange County Business Council’s awards. Source.

Davis launched a full economic development plan to support business, innovation, and workforce investment. (Director Katie Yancey)

Colorado

La Plata Economic Development Alliance (Director Sarah Tober) began a $50,000 study with partners on Animas Air Park's industrial growth potential.

Chaffee County invested over $1 million with partners to support housing, childcare, tourism, and business growth.

Dan Salvetti joined the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade as a subject expert in enabling technologies.

Connecticut

A study finds economic development and cultural individualism cause gender gaps in care jobs, worsening in richer countries.

Delaware

Entrepreneurship-led economic development grows as leaders like Dell Gines (International Economic Development Council) and Victor Hwang (Right to Start) push for new business focus.

Florida

The Orlando Economic Partnership has appointed Sheena Fowler as VP to boost Orlando's innovation and tech growth under CEO Tim Giuliani.

Georgia

Gwinnett County is advancing projects like mall and district redevelopments to create jobs and support housing.

Clarkesville plans an upscale inn and marketplace after buying a courthouse and adding a Downtown Development Authority and economic development director.

Illinois

Rock Island and its Development Association will end their economic development service contract in 2026, continuing goals separately.

Chris Merrett discussed progress and challenges in Illinois rural economic development for Community Voices, stressing rural views' importance.

Galesburg has been recognized among the nation's top small cities for economic development for the first time, reflecting the ongoing efforts of the Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development (President Ken Springer) to attract investment and enhance the local economy through targeted initiatives and business engagement.

Indiana

Indianapolis Economic Development Inc. supports Metrobloks’ $500 million data center plan amid opposition.

Iowa

Iowa State University's economic development programs created a $6 billion impact, aiding 60,000 jobs and startups.

A coalition highlighted data centers boost supply chain jobs, investment, and workforce growth in regions.

Kentucky

The City of Covington will buy the old Gateway College for $1.45 million to create jobs and raise tax revenue. (Economic Development Director Tom West)

Glasgow ranked No. 9 in the Governor’s Cup by Site Selection magazine, with $126 million invested and 620 new jobs. (Maureen Carpenter, President and Chief Executive Officer, Barren County Economic Authority)

Louisiana

Louisiana Economic Development started the Louisiana Accelerator Program to help local suppliers compete statewide.

Louisiana Economic Development launched FastSites, naming 19 locations including RiverPlex MegaPark for fast project readiness.

Governor Landry praised $100 billion in economic development and job growth, focusing on tax reform, infrastructure, and workforce improvements with Louisiana Economic Development.

Maryland

Senate Bill 300 will create the Rural Readiness Program to boost economic development in rural areas through planning and support.

Maryland aims to improve local workforce boards to better link employers, training, and economic development.

Frederick County named Heather Gramm director of Economic Opportunity and Jamille Wilson for Procurement, focusing on economic development.

Massachusetts

Watertown's revitalization, led by Erika Oliver Jerram, will add 4,400+ housing units, 3+ acres park, and improve transport with partnerships.

The Economic Development and Industrial Corp studied Route 2A corridor improvements for business growth. (Eric Smith)

Massachusetts Secretary Eric Paley met Franklin County leaders to discuss growth, supporting the $4 billion Mass Leads Act.

Greenfield wants ideas to redevelop the old First National Bank building with stores, food hall, offices, or makerspace to boost downtown. (Amy Cahillane)

MassDevelopment chose six Gateway Cities to help renew downtowns with fellows, grants, and technical aid. (More info)

Michigan

Two Stevensville businesses compete for grants via Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Match on Main to help redevelopment and possibly hire an economic development expert.

Matt Money is the new economic development liaison in Dowagiac to attract businesses, housing, and help entrepreneurs get grants.

Missouri

Springfield Business Development Corp secured six projects with 400+ jobs and $96M investment and launched an Ozarks Regional site selection website. (Matt Morrow)

Stephen Westbrooks has been named president and chief executive officer of the St. Louis Development Corporation, bringing extensive experience in community development finance and real estate to the organization. Westbrooks will lead efforts to standardize development incentives and drive community-focused economic growth, succeeding interim head Otis Williams.

A Gray Summit data center will be Franklin County’s largest economic development project, promising investment and jobs with big local support.

Nebraska

The Siouxland region has been ranked number one in the nation for economic development among communities under 200,000 population by Site Selection magazine, marking its twelfth time leading this category and highlighting strong private sector growth. (Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Chris McGowan)

Omaha Economic Development Corp and Inland Port Authority plan two big projects to attract jobs in North and East Omaha, starting in 2026.

Gibbon got $1M+ in grants and support for community development with Rural Prosperity Nebraska’s coordinated planning process and resident surveys.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is gaining more business investment and people moving from Massachusetts due to low taxes and friendly government, say top local leaders.

New Mexico

AeroVironment’s $30 million expansion of its Albuquerque defense manufacturing campus, supported by state and local incentives, is expected to create over 450 jobs and generate $670 million in economic impact over ten years, strengthening New Mexico’s role in advanced defense and space manufacturing. (Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, AV Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Wahid Nawabi, Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Rob Black, City of Albuquerque Economic Development Director Max Gruner) Source

New York

Selling Salmon Run Mall worries leaders about tax losses, says Jefferson County Economic Development CEO Marshall Weir; redevelopment plans are underway. Source.

Ogdensburg’s Tyler Park resigned after aiding workforce development and contributed to the Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant.

Empire State Development, in partnership with regional and philanthropic organizations, has launched the Accelerate Workforce Housing initiative—a $3.5 million program targeting the Adirondacks’ “missing middle” with support for workforce housing projects in small communities.

The Fulton County Center for Regional Growth launched the Expertise Project using VR to connect students to jobs, supported by a $549K grant. Source.

North Carolina

The Greenville Eastern North Carolina Alliance has rebranded as Invest Greenville, signaling a clear focus on attracting businesses, jobs, and investment to the region. Since 2019, the organization (led by President Josh Lewis) has secured over $1.6 billion in capital investment and more than 6,000 jobs, supported by public and private sector partners.

Katy Preidt joined Duke Energy as senior economic development manager.

Ohio

Jonas Peterson, former CEO of Southwest Michigan First, is now chief economic development officer and president of One Columbus under Columbus Partnership to guide regional growth. (Jason Hall)

Jim Hill (Executive Director, Sidney-Shelby Economic Partnership) addressed the Sidney Rotary Club on recent economic and community development initiatives, highlighting strong manufacturing growth, major housing projects, and ongoing efforts to attract talent and business investment. Sidney was recently ranked the seventeenth top micropolitan in the United States by Site Selection Magazine. Source

Ohio Southeast Economic Development reported supporting 25 business expansions and new locations in 2025, resulting in 822 new jobs and $1.6 billion in investment, while unveiling a new strategic plan focused on regional leadership, talent, and energy sector growth. (President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Abbott)

A major Greater Cincinnati project nears completion and will boost economic development.

NASA offers a large Ohio industrial site for lease to promote economic development and regional jobs.

The Dayton region has once again been recognized by Site Selection magazine as a top location for business growth, reflecting its collaborative economic development efforts and strengths in innovation, technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. (Dayton Development Coalition President and Chief Executive Jeff Hoagland; Montgomery County Commission President Carolyn Rice)

The United States Army Corps of Engineers has issued a federal permit with environmental conditions for a major data center project in Adams County, Ohio, at sites near the former Killen and Stuart power plants. According to Adams County Economic Development Director Paul Worley, these locations are considered ideal due to access to power and water and could help recover some of the 700 jobs lost with the plant closures in 2018. Community activists and local leaders remain divided over the project’s potential economic benefits and environmental impact. Source

Pennsylvania

The Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority has allocated over $12 million in public funds to support the long-delayed Fifth and Dinwiddie affordable housing project led by developer Derrick Tillman, despite ongoing financial challenges and legal disputes. (Executive Director Susheela Nemani-Stanger)

Pennsylvania ranked third nationally for job growth in 2025, adding over 76,000 jobs—a 1.2 percent increase—thanks to Governor Josh Shapiro’s economic development strategy. The state’s progress, led by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, also earned a top-ten spot in Site Selection Magazine’s annual Governor’s Cup ranking.

Northeastern Pennsylvania ranked sixth nationally for economic development in Site Selection's Governor’s Cup for six years.

The Shapiro Administration has awarded a $5.7 million Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites grant to DRIVE Industry (Executive Director Jennifer Wakeman) to develop a 100-acre pad-ready industrial site in Northumberland County, aiming to attract businesses and create jobs as part of Pennsylvania’s broader economic competitiveness strategy.

Rhode Island

Shop Bloom PVD became permanent, helping 60+ small businesses with local economic development support.

South Carolina

Dorchester County Economic Development and Independent Newsmedia launched “Water Moves Us” magazine highlighting local economy and jobs. Source.

South Dakota

Bill Even, appointed as commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development in May 2025, has played a central role in facilitating Smithfield Foods’ $1.3 billion pork processing facility—South Dakota’s largest private investment—while advancing a collaborative, transparent approach to economic development and supporting significant agribusiness expansion in the state.

Tennessee

The U.S. Department of Energy finished its largest Oak Ridge land transfer for big nuclear projects creating many jobs.

Texas

Texas won the Governor’s Cup again.

Bryan named Todd McDaniel director of economic development to help lead growth and downtown projects.

Emily Goodrum is the new Director of Economic Development for the City of Fate.

San Antonio's Business Outreach Specialists help business owners find city programs and resources by advocating.

The Texas Economic Development Council recognized the Buda Economic Development Corporation and Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership for professionalism and economic growth in Texas. (Carlton Schwab) Source.

Joshua Scott joined greater:SATX as senior vice president of talent and workforce.

Vermont

Sarah Furman is the new executive director of Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region to lead business, marketing, and workforce programs. Source.

Virginia

Waynesboro Economic Development and Tourism launched a new website to centralize business resources, led by Director Greg Hitchin. Source.

The Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority approved a megasite land sale tied to Stack Infrastructure, advancing a major industrial project.

Virginia Tech’s Center for Economic and Community Engagement is partnering with regional organizations in the Alleghany Highlands to support community-led economic growth, leveraging university expertise as part of the Vibrant Virginia initiative. The center facilitates strategic planning and investments in small business, housing, and workforce development. (Executive Director John Provo)

Victor Hoskins, chief executive officer and president of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, is departing after six years.

Economic Developer Shannon Ainsley told Pulaski Town Council about efforts to help businesses with partners like Main Street America and initiatives.

West Virginia

West Virginia's House passed H.B. 4001 to create TEAM-WV like JobsOhio to boost economic development.

Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has awarded $1.5 million in Small Business Development Grants to community organizations statewide, with all funds directed to supporting small business growth and creation. (Secretary and Chief Executive Officer John W. Miller)

St. Croix Economic Development Corporation held a banquet for the 2025 Business of the Year winners.

Wyoming

Cheyenne's construction boom is due to data centers, parks, and housing led by Cheyenne LEADS and Mayor Patrick Collins, with Betsey Hale.