Economic Development and Developers in the News # 246
Econ dev news from 83 economic development executives and organizations in 28 states.
Welcome to the 246th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News!
This week: updates from 83 executives and organizations across 28 states.
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Alabama
The DeKalb County Economic Development Authority has adopted "Elevate DeKalb", a countywide strategy to strengthen workforce, infrastructure, and business competitiveness across Northeast Alabama, aligning with the state’s CatALyst plan. (Executive Director Brett Johnson)
Alaska
Jared Reynolds has been named director of the Alaska Small Business Development Center, bringing experience from the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development and aiming to expand support for innovation and rural entrepreneurship.
Arizona
Pima County Economic Development and the City of Tucson Office of Economic Initiatives hosted the Pima County-Tucson Regional Contractor Tour, connecting leading regional contractors with major sites and investment opportunities. (Heath Vescovi-Chiordi; Mike Czechowski)
California
The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development led a record delegation of 33 organizations to the 2026 SelectUSA Investment Summit, with Chief Deputy Director Emily Desai highlighting international companies’ role in California job creation.
California State University Monterey Bay’s Sustainability Hospitality and Tourism Management program, led by Shyam Kamath, created a seven-year economic development strategy for Marina focused on eco-tourism, the blue economy, and regenerative tourism.
The City of Concord has approved a major agreement with Brookfield Properties to redevelop the former Concord Naval Weapons Station into more than 12,200 homes and 6 million square feet of commercial space. (Economic Development Director Guy Bjerke)
Mark Muenzer has been appointed Director of Community and Economic Development for Cathedral City, bringing 25 years of experience in affordable housing and commercial corridor revitalization. (Director of Community and Economic Development Mark Muenzer)
Governor Newsom has signed Executive Order N-6-26, directing California agencies, including the Labor and Workforce Development Agency and the Governor’s Office for Business and Economic Development, to assess AI’s labor impacts and recommend workforce and layoff policy changes.
Colorado
Pueblo Economic Development Corporation President Jeff Shaw is resigning after 11 years during which PEDCO added about 2,000 primary jobs; he will take an economic development position in Texas.
Connecticut
The Connecticut Municipal Development Authority, led by Executive Director David Kooris, received approval for its first four projects totaling $19 million in bonds to support new housing and downtown revitalization.
Florida
The Orlando Economic Partnership is advancing the Orlando 2045 Vision through federal advocacy, foreign investment outreach, and Abigail Wagner receiving the Florida Economic Development Council’s Dan Webster Young Innovator Scholarship.
The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, led by Erin Silk, received unanimous approval for its nearly $1.6 million fiscal year 2027 contract to support business retention, expansion, and site readiness.
The Daytona Beach Economic Development Advisory Board is urging city leaders to update the long-term vision plan with clearer benchmarks and renewed focus on investment and corridor redevelopment.
Georgia
Norcross Economic Development Director David Versel is reshaping the city’s approach by supporting existing small businesses, launching a legacy program, updating the comprehensive plan, and directing tax district funds to historic downtown. (David Versel)
Cobb County commissioners are reviewing a near-final draft of the county’s first five-year Economic Development Strategic Plan from KB Advisory Group (Geoff Koski), amid debates over roles with SelectCobb and the Cobb Chamber.
Hawaii
The Hawai‘i Community Development Authority will mark its 50th anniversary in 2026, celebrating statewide impact from transformative infrastructure, housing, and economic development projects such as Kaka‘ako’s revitalization.
Honolulu’s Office of Economic Revitalization has launched the Oʻahu Small Business Loan Fund with Feed the Hunger Fund to offer flexible micro-loans and support for early-stage entrepreneurs.
Illinois
State Senator Doris Turner advanced House Bill 4496, an economic development package to revitalize downtown Springfield through expanded tourism, updated tax credits, and a new Capital Area Tourism Authority.
Woodstock is advancing economic development initiatives including Route 47 corridor redevelopment, the Die Cast multifamily proposal, and transit investments, with Jessica Erickson emphasizing a business-friendly strategy. (Jessica Erickson)
Indiana
Stéphane Frijia of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership highlighted rising costs and outdated industrial real estate, while citing Bombardier’s attraction to Fort Wayne as evidence of successful coordinated regional growth efforts.
Iowa
The Robins Economic Development Initiative appointed Ken Paxton as economic development director to lead business attraction, strategic growth, and community partnerships.
Kansas
The proposed Flint Hills Digital Campus, led by Kanza Park Place LLC and regional economic development organizations, aims to make the region a hub for advanced computing and digital infrastructure. (Lyle Butler, Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas)
Kentucky
The Kentucky I-71 Economic Development Alliance convened more than 240 leaders at the 71 Aligned: 2026 Forum to advance regional collaboration, infrastructure readiness, and workforce alignment. (Jessica Moore; Jeff Noel, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development)
The inaugural Kentucky Chamber Economic Summit, presented by Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport, examined workforce challenges, inflation, AI, and entrepreneurship, with insights from Dr. Charles Aull and the Kentucky Innovation Hubs (Lisa Bajorinas).
Louisiana
St. Mary Parish expects major growth as the Saronic shipyard expansion adds 1,500 jobs and $300 million, while three more prospects could add up to 1,300 jobs and $100 million in investment. (St. Mary Economic Development Director Evan Boudreaux)
Massachusetts
Michael Daniels has been appointed Chicopee’s new economic development director, focusing on business attraction, redevelopment, and workforce initiatives. (Economic Development Director Michael Daniels)
Michigan
The Village of Kingsley earned Redevelopment Ready Communities certification from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for planning, zoning, and economic development practices that reduce barriers and attract investment. (Michele Wildman)
Mississippi
The Mississippi Development Authority has unveiled a strategic plan to position the state as a leader in critical minerals using lithium-rich Smackover brines and repurposed oilfield infrastructure. (Executive Director Bill Cork)
Entergy Mississippi awarded Excellerator grants for site readiness, planning, and marketing to attract investment and foster growth. (Ed Gardner)
Missouri
Greater St. Louis convened leaders to address rapid data center growth and highlight their potential to create jobs, spur economic growth, and generate tax revenue. (Greater St. Louis Managing Partner Ron Kitchens)
Stephen Davis has been appointed the city’s chief economic development officer after leading business retention at the St. Louis Development Corporation, and will chair the SLDC board.
Donna Litton has concluded her tenure as executive director of the Economic Development Corporation of Jefferson County; Ben Brown, director of small business development, will serve as interim director while the board selects her successor.
New Jersey
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority announced that $5 million remains available through its Cannabis Business Development Grant Program, offering $75,000 reimbursements to early-stage licensed cannabis businesses, with funds reserved for underserved communities.
New York
Steve Griffin, chief executive officer of the Finger Lakes Economic Development Center, has been named chair of the New York State Economic Development Council Board, leading more than 1,000 members on statewide policy and investment.
New York has launched a new $150 million Regional Economic Development Council initiative, including the ACHIEVE program and Consolidated Funding Application, to support transformative regional projects.
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the 2026 launch of New York’s REDC initiative, including round two of the $150 million ACHIEVE competition, led by councils and Empire State Development President and CEO Hope Knight.
North Carolina
The City of Asheville has launched $15.5 million in disaster recovery grants for small businesses hit by Tropical Storm Helene, administered by partners including Mountain BizWorks (Executive Director Matt Raker) and Optimist Ventures.
Ohio
The Ohio River Commission will host its annual Ohio River Summit to foster collaboration on infrastructure, riverfront redevelopment, workforce, and tourism. (Director Lydia Mihalik, Ohio Department of Development; Taylor Abbott)
Kati Thompson of Bowling Green Economic Development reported more than $30 million in industrial investments, business expansions, and a revitalization project backed by JobsOhio.
Pennsylvania
The Shapiro Administration has awarded over $3.1 million through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Manufacturing PA Innovation Program for 47 university-business partnerships. (DCED Secretary Rick Siger)
South Carolina
South Carolina updated the Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act to expand eligibility, clarify rules, and give developers and economic development partners more flexibility to use incentives.
Texas
Scott Martinez of the Tyler Economic Development Council is actively driving business growth and community development in East Texas by attracting investment, following personal experience with a kidney transplant.
The South East Texas Economic Development District is updating its Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy to guide regional growth and retain Economic Development Administration funding eligibility.
San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside is highlighting arts and culture’s economic potential at its State of the Eastside event, where leaders said cultural, educational, and workforce initiatives can attract visitors. (SAGE CEO James Nortey)
The City of College Station is advancing its Midtown development as a major mixed-use district anchored by Texas Independence Park and a 90-acre baseball and softball complex to grow sports tourism and civic identity. (Brian Piscacek)
Virginia
Michele Mixner DeWitt, past president of the Virginia Economic Developers Association, has been appointed as Williamsburg’s new city manager after two decades in roles including economic development director.
Patrick Barker, former Frederick County EDA executive director, has been appointed Warren County economic development director and will craft a six-month plan after a two-year vacancy.
West Virginia
Governor Patrick Morrisey signed two workforce bills establishing a statewide micro-credential framework and expanding Pell Grants for short-term training, aiming to connect residents with high-demand jobs and attract federal investment.
