Economic Development and Developers in the News # 240
Econ dev news from 36 economic development executives and organizations in 21 states.
Welcome to the 240th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News!
This week: updates from 36 executives and organizations across 21 states.
If this is your first time reading: Hello!
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.
Dane is the founder and CEO of Sitehunt. Sitehunt automates industrial real estate research so economic developers can respond to site selection RFIs in minutes instead of days.
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Alabama
Edged Energy has proposed a $93 million data center project in Prichard that aims to create approximately 20 high-paying jobs and drive broader economic growth, and the company is emphasizing responsible development and community engagement by addressing concerns about noise, traffic, and environmental impact. (Mayor Carletta Davis)
Arizona
Avondale’s lead economic development official has taken a new role as the city moves ahead with a major mixed-use project. This change highlights the city’s focus on smart growth and continued investment in the region.
Arkansas
Mineral Springs has received its first installment of economic development sales tax funding, totaling $13,396 as Howard County leaders prepare for future job-growth opportunities. Vanessa Weeks, the city’s economic development director, said the community is getting ready for new projects.
Bentonville created new downtown overlay districts with stricter design and height rules to guide redevelopment and has opted against adopting a historic preservation ordinance. Planning Director Tyler Overstreet said efforts like this must be led by citizens, not city government.
Colorado
Littleton’s OpenRewards program, a partnership between the city, Bludot Technologies, and local business organizations, received the 2026 Colorado Downtown Excellence Award in Partnership from Downtown Colorado, Inc. for generating over $2.6 million in local economic activity and achieving a nineteen-to-one return on investment. (Economic Development Director Rachel King)
Gastamo Group, a Denver-based hospitality developer, is seeking a $2 million forgivable loan through a public-private partnership with the City of Littleton to advance 1st Street Farms, a major restaurant and event venue that would anchor the $28 million RiverPark development (Economic Development Director Rachel King).
Florida
NAS MRO Services is nearing completion of a major maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility at Punta Gorda Airport, a project expected to create approximately 200 high-paying jobs with starting salaries of $75,000, facilitated through collaboration with Charlotte Technical College. (Economic Development Director Kay Tracy)
Georgia
Leadership Southeast Georgia’s recent session in Bryan County highlighted the region’s economic development landscape by bringing participants inside Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America and exploring community revitalization, education, and workforce initiatives with leaders from the Regional Industry Support Enterprise and local development authorities. (Leadership Southeast Georgia)
Candidates for DeKalb County Commission District 3, including incumbent Nicole Massiah (chair, Planning, Economic Development and Community Services Committee), are debating strategies to balance data center growth with resident protection, promote affordable economic investment, and address displacement concerns, emphasizing strong regulations, community reinvestment, and transit-oriented development for sustainable growth.
Illinois
Doug Hammel has been appointed Community Development Director for the Village of Lincolnwood. He is a certified planner with more than 25 years of public- and private-sector experience and has led major projects including the District 1860 mixed-use development and the Lincolnwood Town Center plan.
Kansas
A delegation from Northern State University and Aberdeen, South Dakota, visited Pittsburg to study how strategic partnerships among Pittsburg State University, the city, and the local chamber of commerce have driven economic growth, revitalized downtown, and enhanced workforce development through collaborative projects and innovative funding models. (Wes Streeter, associate vice president of economic and community engagement, Pittsburg State University; Blake Benson, president, Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce)
Kentucky
Mark Bacon (President of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation) shared a positive outlook for economic development, noting that ongoing workforce training initiatives and efforts that aim to attract new business investment remain key priorities for regional growth and economic competitiveness.
Massachusetts
Amid ongoing efforts to revitalize Boston’s Faneuil Hall Marketplace, developers and city officials are debating the future of this landmark, with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Planning Chief Kairos Shen organizing discussions on potential redevelopment and management strategies. While current landlord J. Safra Real Estate has pledged significant physical improvements and long-term commitment, local developers argue for visionary leadership and new investment structures to boost downtown economic growth.
City Realty’s proposed mixed-use redevelopment of a vacant office park in Brookline has sparked debate over parking requirements, with WS Development Vice Chairman Richard Mark opposing the town’s zoning approach and Brookline Economic Development Director Meredith Mooney arguing that the project’s zoning standards would support a more vibrant, walkable, and productive commercial area.
Governor Maura Healey has introduced the $305 million "Mass Wins Act", a wide-ranging economic development bill that seeks to boost Massachusetts’ global competitiveness through talent retention incentives, infrastructure investment, streamlined business costs, and sector-specific funding, with key provisions outlined by Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley.
Community and Economic Development Director Amy Cahillane is preparing a request for proposals to guide the redevelopment of a city-owned lot after extensive public engagement emphasizing affordable, accessible, and family-sized housing, small retail, and dining options that reflect resident priorities and support local economic growth.
A new book edited by Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Elisabeth B. Reynolds, "Priority Technologies: Ensuring US Security and Shared Prosperity," highlights the need for domestic investment in six key technology sectors: critical minerals, semiconductors, drones, biomanufacturing, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing. The report says these sectors are central to U.S. economic and national security.
Michigan
Natalie Chmiko has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Lake Superior Community Partnership, bringing over 12 years of economic development experience from her previous role as Senior Vice President at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and she will lead initiatives focused on supporting housing, childcare, and small business growth.
Minnesota
After almost 40 years leading Winona's community development work, Director Lucy McMartin will retire this July. She helped shape downtown renewal, industrial growth, and affordable housing. Senior Planner Carlos Espinosa will take over the role.
An economic impact study presented by Chad Ronchetti (Economic Development Director) highlighted significant opportunities for industrial growth in Hermantown, with findings from the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research showing that extending utilities could attract major projects such as manufacturing and distribution facilities, driving job creation and regional investment.
Kandiyohi County Economic Development has picked Sara Lundquist and Sheri Wegner as finalists for its executive director job after a long search. The group said both candidates bring strong economic and community development experience.
New Hampshire
Andrew Ward, senior associate with Colliers in New Hampshire, has been elected chairman of the Portsmouth Economic Development Commission, a nine-member advisory board that guides economic development initiatives and business growth strategies for the city, bringing extensive private-sector experience and a strong commitment to regional economic vitality.
North Carolina
Glen Alpine has engaged the North Carolina Department of Commerce to develop a comprehensive economic development plan and drive strategic growth and strengthen the community’s economic base through coordinated efforts with state-level resources. (North Carolina Department of Commerce)
Ohio
A new policy brief from Ball State University's Center for Business and Economic Research shows that counties restricting renewable energy development experience weaker economic performance, with senior economic developer Barrett Thomas (Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development) noting the necessity of securing electricity buyers before launching future solar and wind projects.
Ohio Southeast Economic Development has named Eric Braun to its board of directors. The group said his appointment strengthens its leadership as it works to advance economic growth and support business growth across southeastern Ohio.
Kristi Clouse will depart JobsOhio after more than a decade leading its talent strategy, during which she drove major workforce initiatives and helped position Ohio as a leader in talent innovation and economic growth; Molly Moses will serve as interim managing director while JobsOhio conducts a national search for its next talent leader.
A wave of reinvestment is reshaping downtown Akron, as Pleasant Valley Corporation (co-CEO Gino Faciana) pursues the purchase and redevelopment of Huntington Tower following acquisitions of other major office buildings, while the Trailhead Community Health Foundation (President and CEO Tracy Carter) plans to relocate to Akron Centre, signaling broader momentum in revitalizing the city’s commercial core.
Oklahoma
Jeremy Zeller, economic developer for Woods County, received the Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell Turkey Hunt Champion Award during Oklahoma’s 37th Annual Lt. Governor’s Turkey Hunt. The event, organized by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, brings site selectors and business prospects to communities across the state.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania state grant programs are now open for applications, offering substantial funding for economic development, infrastructure improvement, and community revitalization. Organizations, businesses, and local governments can seek support through the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s return to the Port of Philadelphia, in collaboration with PhilaPort and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, will generate 2,185 new jobs and $300 million in economic output, highlighting Governor Josh Shapiro's priority to expand the Commonwealth’s $84 billion tourism industry. (DCED Secretary Rick Siger)
Governor Josh Shapiro celebrated the opening of Arts Landing, a $31 million, four-acre civic space in Downtown Pittsburgh, marking a major milestone in his 10-year revitalization plan that has attracted nearly $600 million in investment and aims to boost tourism, housing, and economic activity ahead of major events such as the 2026 National Football League Draft.
Tennessee
East Tennessee State University faculty members Drs. Stephen Marshall and Ron Roach have been appointed to the Tennessee Music Advisory Council, where they will help shape statewide music economic strategy and drive economic opportunity leveraging Tennessee’s musical heritage.
Texas
Christine Serrano, Director of Economic Development for the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, has helped launch 63 small businesses and generate over $2 million in profit for her tribe. She leads projects that boost economic independence and entrepreneurship, gaining national attention and helping other tribes with economic growth across the United States.
Driven by a surge in energy demand from Texas’s growing economy and data center expansion, organizations like Framatome (President and Chief Executive Officer Tony Robinson), Oklo, Vistra, and Natura Resources are advancing nuclear and grid infrastructure projects, including a $240 million modular molten salt reactor, to support economic development and job growth statewide.
Virginia
Botetourt County’s business summit focused on supporting local businesses and highlighted ongoing economic development, including Google’s planned data center, which is expected to boost economic activity during its multi-year construction phase. (Kyle Rosner, Director of Economic Development, Botetourt County)
West Virginia
Kathy Lieving has retired after a decade as executive director of the Huntington Area Development Council, where her leadership focused on building partnerships and advancing economic development initiatives across the region.
