Economic Development and Developers in the News # 244

Welcome to the 244th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News!

This week: updates from 89 executives and organizations across 31 states.

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The Econ Dev Show is a podcast and email newsletter with practical strategies, news, and ideas for economic developers from Dane Carlson.

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Alabama

Caravels plans a Muscle Shoals facility with $300 million-plus in capital investment and 1,200 jobs. (Shoals Economic Development Authority President Kevin Jackson)

Bev Thornton, executive director of the Chambers County Development Authority, was recognized for leadership in economic development, advancing regional growth.

Brandon Cummings, VP of Economic Development at REV Birmingham, is spearheading downtown revitalization through startups, retail, and mixed-use spaces.

Arizona

Pima County Economic Development and Tucson showcased sites for investment partnerships. (Heath Vescovi-Chiordi; Mike Czechowski)

Amkor Technology’s new semiconductor plant in Peoria ranks among North America’s top economic development deals, boosting supply chains and manufacturing.

The U.S. Department of the Interior finalized the first Tribal Energy Agreement, advancing tribal energy sovereignty and economic development.

Downtown Phoenix has added 10,600 apartments since 2015, with thousands more under construction, says Xandon Keating.

Arkansas

The Arkansas Aeroplex received $1 million-plus to prepare a 44-acre industrial site. (Clif Chitwood, Great River Economic Development Foundation)

California

Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation named Christopher Page Business Development Director, citing his economic development experience.

Novato is creating its first economic development plan with Good City Co. and Strategic Economics to address jobs, vacancies, zoning, and permitting. (Dena Belzer)

Robert Eyler says Medtronic’s exit threatens Sonoma County manufacturing, while Marin Sonoma Impact Ventures is using startup investment to support innovation.

Placer County extended the North Lake Tahoe Economic Development Incentive Program for lodging and infrastructure.

Colorado

Chris Gibbons, founder of the National Center for Economic Gardening, told Harvard how entrepreneur-led economic development drives revitalization.

Connecticut

Routine Properties bought Bristol Business Park for $7.5 million, with 220,000 square feet of upgrades backed by city tax incentives. (Justin Malley)

Delaware

Dover Industrial Park opened a 54,000-square-foot warehouse already half leased, with future phases aimed at job creation.

Florida

Orlando Economic Partnership’s Global Orlando report shows rising international talent and $2.7 billion-plus in foreign direct investment.

GBT Realty’s $31 million New Smyrna Beach brownfield project will add Sprouts and T.J. Maxx, supporting job creation. (Samantha Bergeron)

The Orlando Economic Partnership promoted Sheena Fowler, Bob O’Malley, and Neil Hamilton to boost innovation and advance Orlando 2045.

Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation completed a leadership transition: Shirar O’Connor starts June 1 after Amanda Parrish led funding talks for job recruiting.

Charlotte County commissioners recognized local partners for supporting business growth, entrepreneurship, and job creation. (Kay Tracy, Director of Charlotte County Economic Development)

Georgia

Perry is seeking mixed-use downtown proposals tied to its Northside Drive plan. (Holly Wharton)

Hyundai’s Metaplant is Georgia’s largest economic development project, expanding EV manufacturing and clean energy with the EV Braintrust. (Tim Echols)

IronMan’s Walker County partnership delivered $280,000 locally and $60,000 for a trail, unlocking another $500,000. (Joe Legge)

Idaho

A regional economic development panel urged public agencies, private industry, and educators to coordinate on growth.

Illinois

Grundy Economic Development Council's breakfast drew 250 leaders to discuss tariffs, agriculture, data centers, solar, advocacy, and collaboration.

Indiana

David Templeton was named Terre Haute EDC chair, signaling sharper investment-attraction initiatives. (Jonathan Blake; Indiana Economic Development Corporation President Joshua Richardson)

Iowa

Field of Dreams got a $10 million pledge to expand the landmark and boost tourism and economic development.

Allamakee County Economic Development coordinated a Waukon tour highlighting housing, business, conservation, and utility projects. (Executive Director Val Reinke)

Kentucky

A multi-county partnership launched Triple Crown Business Park, a 300-acre collaborative economic development project aiming for 700 to 1,200 jobs.

Florence’s latest economic development report shows growth from Publix, Total Wine & More, IKEA, hotels, and housing.

BE NKY Growth Partnership is expanding economic development outreach around labor, energy, universities, life sciences, IT, and manufacturing. (Kimberly Rossetti)

Louisiana

Louisiana Economic Development urges graduates to launch careers in the state due to recent business investments and growing career opportunities.

Maryland

Jeff Skopek (Director of Business and Economic Development, RAISE for Maryland) discussed AI’s role in workforce strategy, business attraction, and competitiveness.

The Pikesville Armory Foundation is spearheading a $100 million Armory redevelopment projected to create 250 jobs and $400 million in impact. (David Ginsburg)

Maryland Governor Wes Moore visited Hitachi Rail’s $100 million carbon-neutral plant, a public-private collaboration supporting 1,300 jobs.

Francesca Ioffreda is leading Maryland’s first innovation team to reduce childhood poverty and boost economic mobility.

Massachusetts

Southborough cut its Economic Development Committee budget from $78,000 to $5,000 after attracting Costco without using the budget.

Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley emphasized AI and core data center infrastructure to boost competitiveness and address business outmigration.

Michigan

State Representative Donni Steele formed a Michigan Maritime Panel to boost maritime infrastructure, workforce, port financing, and investment.

Grand Rapids has major investment underway as legislators consider raising Michigan’s Brownfield Plan cap, says Sarah Rainero.

Minnesota

The St. Paul City Council postponed appointing Melanie McMahon as director of Planning and Economic Development projects.

Alison Medeck was named executive director of The Economic Alliance, bringing regional economic development experience to Wadena County.

Missouri

St. Louis Development Corporation’s Learn2Tech is expanding to SLATE with free computer training, laptops, Wi-Fi, and AI support.

Missouri approved HB 3231, offering $50 million yearly for vacant-property housing conversions. Greater St. Louis Inc. and Ron Kitchens praised it.

Elizabeth Herrera has been named deputy director at the Missouri Department of Economic Development, advancing strategy and performance.

Boonville seeks a higher-class hotel for sports-venue demand generated by Ballparks Central. (Jim Gann, Economic Developer for Cooper and Howard counties)

Nebraska

Kearney voters approved a Good Life District projected to attract $280 million in private investment, 50 jobs, and $1.1 billion in impact.

New Hampshire

Mack Smith and Liz Hannum are among economic development leaders repurposing closed campuses for new growth.

New York

Frank Sánchez (President, Manhattanville University) has been appointed to the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council to boost workforce development and growth.

North Carolina

Viega North America CEO Marki Huston received the Regional Economic Development Champion Award.

The NC Community College System’s Economic Development Division, led by John Loyack (Vice President), is enhancing growth with training and apprenticeships.

Spark Centro, a $20 million Charlotte workforce hub, will support small businesses, Latino mobility, and regional opportunity, and is expected to open next year.

Ohio

Bryan Gilroy became economic development director in March 2025, leading new initiatives and supporting economic development.

Progressive’s former main campus will continue as office space, supporting local vitality and business retention.

Preble County recognized Economic Development Week and the Preble County Development Partnership’s business retention, recruitment, and workforce role. (Justin Sommer; Perrica Short)

Montgomery County may approve $14 million in economic development bonds for Versiti Community Blood Center.

Rick Platt, Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority CEO and JobsOhio board member, reflects on 30 years of industrial economic development.

Oklahoma

Christy Gillenwater told national economic development podcasts, including the Econ Dev Show, that Oklahoma City's MAPS program fuels parks, culture, and aerospace investment.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania DCED, led by Deputy Secretary Rick Vilello, celebrated Harrisburg affordable townhomes under Governor Josh Shapiro’s $1 billion housing plan.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development is advancing Erie’s Triangle of Hope, turning vacant schools into housing and service space. (Rick Siger)

Pennsylvania ranks fourth nationally for sports tourism, highlighting a sports events strategy led by DCED, Rick Siger, and PA Sports.

Rhode Island

University of Rhode Island research reached $165.2 million, creating $520.4 million in impact and 6,350 jobs through NSF-supported programs. (Bethany D. Jenkins)

Texas

Kyrstle Villarreal Muller was promoted to CEO of the Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation after 17 years.

Marlon Goff was named Director of Economic Development for Duncanville with 25 years' experience and will lead economic development initiatives.

Laredo Economic Development Corporation will host Economic Development Week May 4-8, with a business expo, job fair, and global trade job creation focus. (David Stedman)

Virginia

The Washington City Council plans a business district funded by sales tax, aiming to spur business investment and reduce property taxes.

Stack Infrastructure won approval for a data center campus at Berry Hill, a potential $100 billion investment with 2,500 jobs. (Matt Rowe, Pittsylvania County)

Southern Virginia Regional Alliance hosted a data center seminar where Vince Barnett (Virginia Economic Development Partnership) and Elizabeth Rafferty emphasized planning, transparency, investment, and job creation.

West Virginia

Hope Gas and West Virginia education partners launched an energy workforce training program for students. (Governor Patrick Morrisey)