Economic Development and Developers in the News # 242

Welcome to the 242nd weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News!

This week: updates from 93 executives and organizations across 32 states.

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Alabama

A $440,220 SEEDS grant will help create a 110-acre industrial site in Covington County to attract jobs and industry. (Covington County Economic Development Commission President and CEO Jacob Morgan)

Governor Kay Ivey announced more than $20 million in Growing Alabama funding to prepare 10 industrial sites for investment and jobs.

Innovate Alabama is making outdoor recreation a growth strategy by using Alabama’s natural resources to attract and retain talent. (Chris Blankenship)

Arizona

Pima County launched Economic Development Week with partners focused on aerospace, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, workforce alignment, jobs, and wages.

Arkansas

Russellville is celebrating strong manufacturing momentum, with Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce work led by Stephen Houserman helping manufacturing jobs grow 25 percent since 2020.

Julie Murray of the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce is helping prepare Fort Smith and Van Buren for growth.

Arkansas lawmakers approved $300 million in incentives for a West Memphis manufacturing project expected to create 2,000 permanent jobs. (Arkansas Economic Development Commission)

California

Ricardo Noguera will lead Stockton economic development and brings experience from Brentwood, the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Florida.

Amanda Portier will manage Vacaville economic development and oversee the city’s Economic Development Strategy under Erin Morris.

David Jinkens received CALED’s 2026 Local Economic Development Champion Award for his South Lake Tahoe and statewide work. (CALED CEO Gurbax Sahota)

Connecticut

Ginny Kozlowski of Economic Development Corporation of New Haven and REX Development will retire after decades of regional economic work.

Berlin Commerce Park is targeting small industrial users with ownership options backed by Small Business Administration financing. (Chris Edge)

Florida

The Orlando Economic Partnership is advancing regional growth initiatives tied to UAE investment, production incentives, and advanced manufacturing. (Tracy Garcia; Pedro de Melo Rodrigues)

New Smyrna Beach created an Economic Development Advisory Board to guide business attraction, commercial growth, and industrial development.

Georgia

UNG’s Nighthawk Impact Tour connected university, agency, and startup leaders to grow Georgia’s defense technology workforce. (Allen Fox)

Decide DeKalb is marking Economic Development Week with public events, a women-owned business guide, and redevelopment talks. (Randi Mason)

Illinois

Kendall County adopted a three-year strategic plan focused on infrastructure, growth, and economic resilience.

Indiana

Bloomington Economic Development Corp. said Monroe County’s aerospace bid shows the need for stronger airport infrastructure. (Clark Greiner)

Iowa

The Iowa Economic Development Authority and Technology Association of Iowa launched a tech talent network. (Debi Durham)

Heart of America Group will build an $80 million Altoona retail center with city incentives. (City of Altoona Economic Development Director Chad Quick)

Kansas

Joshua Jefferson of the Kansas Department of Commerce was named a Top 50 Economic Developer by Consultant Connect after helping drive $23 billion in investment.

Kentucky

Caldwell County leaders opened the county’s first major industrial facility in two decades, supported by the Kentucky Product Development Initiative.

Global Business Solutions is investing $6.8 million in a Kentucky expansion backed by Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority and BE NKY Growth Partnership. (Lee Crume)

Louisiana

St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation is celebrating Economic Development Week by highlighting infrastructure, recycling, and robotics work with the International Economic Development Council.

St. Landry Economic Development CEO Bill Rodier highlighted small business support during Economic Development Week.

A North Baton Rouge grocery-anchored development district passed a Senate subcommittee, advancing infrastructure and 150 expected jobs.

Maine

Maine’s governor vetoed a data-center moratorium, keeping a $550 million Jay project alive while the state navigates data center expansion policy.

Maryland

Governor Wes Moore announced trade and tech partnerships at the SelectUSA Investment Summit, including foreign direct investment collaborations through Maryland Technology Development Corporation. (Troy LeMaile-Stovall)

Otis Rolley will lead the Baltimore Development Corporation and advance equitable economic development in Baltimore.

Michigan

The Michigan Senate passed the FY 2027 budget for LEO and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, funding housing, workforce, and small business work.

The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber says its talent campaign, led by Arthur Havlicek, could bring 3,800 new residents.

Andrew Haan of Cornerstone Alliance earned the Certified Economic Developer credential. (Marla Schneider)

Minnesota

Nisswa is seeking applicants for its re-established Economic Development Authority after revising the authority’s role.

Mississippi

Jim Flanagan will retire from DeSoto County Economic Development Council after a career of regional growth leadership.

Nevada

Carson City economic development director Hope Sullivan is advancing short-term rental rules for 40 to 50 unlicensed properties.

New York

Westchester legislators launched an Affordability and Economic Development Task Force to recommend housing, jobs, and small business policies.

The Seneca County Local Development Corporation will review an MRB Group contract and discuss revitalization, grants, and countywide development.

Hope Knight of Empire State Development will receive a Marymount Manhattan honorary degree.

Andrea Klyczek of the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency will discuss regional business growth at a community forum.

North Carolina

Novartis will add a $220 million pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Morrisville, creating more than 700 jobs. (Michael Haley; Tiffany McNeill)

Markuann Kirk resigned from Carteret County Economic Development, and the county will continue under new direction.

Ohio

Jeff Parton will lead Shelby economic development and downtown, housing, retention, and expansion work. (Jessica Gribben, Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development)

Van Wert officials heard public input on rezoning land for a $10 billion data center. (Brent Stevens)

Sarah Leach joined Lake to River Economic Development to manage real estate and project inquiries with Sarah Boyarko.

Tom Smith was named Middletown’s community and economic development director.

Ashland Area Economic Development director Cameo Carey secured $230,000 for demolition and revitalization.

Oklahoma

The Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation launched the Stephens County Career Portal to connect job seekers with verified local jobs. (Henry Lehr)

Oregon

Mike Gonzalez made economic development a top priority in Echo, focusing on 250 acres of rezoned land.

The Economic Development Council of Tillamook County hosted the Level Up Pitch Contest and awarded funding to three businesses.

Pennsylvania

A Pew-led regional partnership, with Donna Frisby-Greenwood, is working to connect talent to opportunity across greater Philadelphia.

South Carolina

Michelle McDonald earned South Carolina’s Certified Economic Developer designation. (John Truluck)

Tennessee

Tessa Gwyn of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce earned the Tennessee Certified Economic Developer designation.

Texas

Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission is updating its Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy with local input.

The Laredo Economic Development Corporation and International Economic Development Council are hosting Economic Development Week events.

The Collinsville Economic Development Board adopted a comprehensive business plan to guide local growth.

Virginia

Chesapeake is weighing zoning and tax changes to attract data centers and diversify its economy. (Steven Wright)

Washington

Burien will hear an Opportunity Zones update from Chris Craig and may act on economic development initiatives.

Oak Harbor is considering an expanded Opportunity Zone program to spur investment. (Kristina Hines, Island County Economic Development Council)

West Virginia

Morgantown council called for more economic development collaboration with partners including West Virginia University and Morgantown Area Partnership.

Sam Wolford of Bluefield Economic Development Authority brought SBA’s Empower to Grow program to the region before stepping down.

Wisconsin

The Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation and Sheboygan County Innovation Council launched “Pitches & Pizza” for startup ideas and cash prizes.