Economic Development and Developers in the News # 248

Welcome to the 248th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News!

This week: updates from 52 executives and organizations across 28 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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Alaska

At the Reservation Economic Summit, Native Village of Eklutna’s Chin’an Gaming Hall was highlighted as tribally driven development, with leaders citing job and revenue gains and a long-term partnership with the Marnell family of companies (Anthony Marnell).

Arizona

Tucson has established a new Office of Community and Economic Impact under the city manager, led by Lane Mandle, consolidating economic, equity, sustainability, cultural, and Prosperity Initiative work within the $2.5 billion city budget.

The 2026 Navajo Nation Economic Summit, hosted by the Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development, gathered leaders to advance diversified growth, with President Buu Nygren spotlighting veteran entrepreneur Laris Manuelito’s planned 55,000‑square‑foot marketplace.

Pima County is advancing a multifaceted economic development strategy focused on business retention, diversification, workforce, incentives, streamlined permitting, and infrastructure to attract high‑wage employers and strengthen innovation clusters.

Arkansas

An Arkansas Bar Association panel is backing Issue 3, a November constitutional amendment to give cities and counties stronger local control and financing tools to compete for jobs, housing, and commercial projects.

Arkansas is opening FY 2027 applications July 1 - Aug. 15 for its Community Assistance Grant Program, a 20% match initiative backed by Governor Sarah Sanders, Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald, and AEDC’s Clint O’Neal.

California

Wayne Olson has resigned as chief economic development officer for the City of Palm Springs, creating a leadership vacancy as the city prepares a search for his successor.

San Fernando has appointed Linden Johnson as Economic Development Manager, drawing on his experience with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) to lead business attraction, retention, and redevelopment.

Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco Interim President Winthrop Watson reports $92.2 million in 2025 grants for Arizona, California, and Nevada, including affordable housing and development initiatives.

Economic development organizations are emerging as strategic co-creators of commercial real estate success, with leaders Christopher Kennedy, Eric Romero, and Zach Glynn stressing early alignment on zoning, incentives, workforce, and community priorities.

Connecticut

Yale School of Management’s 2026 Economic Development Symposium featured regional tech partnerships from Cristina Killingsworth and Eric Smith.

Delaware

Delaware’s Council on Development Finance approved a $787,500 performance-based grant for Gradbridge, a student loan startup, signaling Gov. Matt Meyer’s tilt toward growth‑stage innovators, said Delaware Prosperity Partnership’s Noah Olson.

Georgia

The Forsyth County Chamber has appointed a new senior project manager, adding capacity for business recruitment, expansion support, and long-term economic growth planning informed by Dawson County experience.

Idaho

Portneuf Valley Development Corporation has appointed veteran practitioner Gynii A. Gilliam as Interim CEO to advance business retention, attraction, workforce, and investment across Bannock County and Bannock Development Corporation in partnership with the Idaho Department of Commerce.

Indiana

Fishers City Council has approved incentives for JD Sports' $169 million U.S. headquarters and a Buckingham Companies mixed‑use project, with Economic Development Director Megan Baumgartner touting a sports-centered district.

Iowa

The Iowa City Downtown District has created its first director of economic vitality role, a position to lead business attraction, retention, redevelopment, and market analysis aligned with Executive Director Betsy Potter’s Strategic Plan.

Jasmine Almoayyed has been named director of Economic Development & Development Services for Cedar Rapids, bringing experience from Kirkwood Community College and 140 incentivized projects totaling $1.7 billion.

Kansas

Philanthropy’s distinct role in U.S. economic development is emerging through long-term, risk‑tolerant capital, with Victor Hwang of Right to Start.

Kentucky

Mason County has rezoned 2,080 acres for an unnamed Fortune 100 AI data center, but Ida Huddleston and Delsia Bare’s unsold 534‑acre farm highlights rural tensions over secrecy and major siting decisions.

Oldham Chamber & Economic Development announced President David Bizianes is leaving after 17 years to lead Bardstown Industrial Development Corporation, with Sandy Hamilton becoming president.

Jim Page, current Launch Regional Partnership leader and former Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama president/CEO, will head the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and prioritize diversification and talent retention.

Louisiana

G-Unit, led by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, briefed Louisiana officials on planned downtown Shreveport real estate, entertainment, and small‑business investments.

Maryland

Snow Hill is reviewing a proposed 22,000‑square‑foot mixed-use redevelopment, which Worcester County Economic Development Director Melanie Pursel supports as a riverfront catalyst.

Michigan

Detroit Regional Partnership CEO Maureen Krauss has stepped down after six years leading Southeast Michigan’s economic development organization, with Justin Robinson succeeding her as the group shifts toward a pro-growth coalition.

Missouri

Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI), Columbia’s economic development arm, has awarded $50,000 in 2026 Small Business Grants funded by the city to Boone County firms under 10 employees, prioritizing disadvantaged areas.

Nebraska

Albion Economic Development Corp. is expanding local housing stock with two new homes and additional planned units to support workforce recruitment and retention through targeted infill.

New Mexico

Rio Rancho’s Governing Body will hold a work session featuring Economic Development Manager Alberto Solis, Sandoval Economic Alliance, and the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber on collaborative strategies for jobs and investment.

New York

At the inaugural Bronx Economic Development Summit, grassroots coalition Our Bronx and the Bronx Economic Development Corporation advanced the borough’s first CEDS to leverage EDA funding for community-owned projects like Kingsbridge Armory.

NextCorps’ “State of Innovation” report finds Rochester’s patenting and startups have not yet produced scaled firms or jobs.

Cortland County legislators are split over the scope of economic development spending after renaming a committee and expanding some occupancy-tax uses for economic development.

New York City Economic Development Corp has significantly reduced staff in its life sciences division, signaling a strategic shift that could slow local biotech support and alter cluster dynamics.

North Carolina

Union County Economic Development has launched DiscoverUnionCounty.com, a site selector platform that Economic Development Director Ron Mahle says showcases Charlotte-adjacent location, key sectors, and workforce pipeline initiatives.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed an MOU in Toronto on energy and trade collaboration.

Governor Josh Shapiro and German Ambassador Jens Hanefeld signed a Joint Declaration expanding apprenticeships and workforce initiatives.

South Dakota

South Dakota’s Board of Economic Development approved a $7.5M REDI loan for an Elevate Rapid City park, a $500K Dakota Ethanol corridor grant, and up to $30M reinvestment for Smithfield’s Sioux Falls facility, retaining 3,100+ jobs.

Tennessee

The Southwest Tennessee Tourism Association's Lexington workshop linked tourism strategy and economic development for small-town and Main Street leaders.

Blount Partnership is shifting toward small business and mixed-use projects in Maryville, Alcoa, and Townsend after major employer wins.

Texas

The Rio Grande Valley Partnership’s June Washington mission brought almost 70 leaders to advocate a unified agenda on transportation, water, workforce, and infrastructure with officials including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.

Northlake voters approved creation of a Northlake Municipal Development District funded by restructured sales tax to replace separate EDC and CDC entities and streamline growth-supporting projects.

A donated 107-acre municipal golf course in Bryan became Legends Event Center, a $41 million facility at Travis Bryan Midtown Park managed by The Sports Facilities Companies with Destination Bryan’s John Friebele.

Plano secured the Dallas Stars' new arena district, showcasing site readiness and public-private collaboration.

Early approved economic development deals to support manufacturing and commercial investment for more jobs and tax base.

Washington

The Port of Olympia Commission approved an $85,355 contract with BERK Consulting for an economic and community impact study that Community and Economic Development Director Mike Reid says will guide grants and capital planning.

Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund has issued an executive order branding the city “open for business,” with streamlined permitting and possible B&O tax holidays with the Port of Bellingham.

West Virginia

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced more than $17 million in Economic Enhancement Grants via the West Virginia Water Development Authority for sewer and water projects in Mason, Morgan, and Wood counties.

Wisconsin

Watertown is expanding its economic development capacity as the city increases Economic Development Coordinator Casey Lechnir’s hours to meet rising demand for business attraction and downtown revitalization.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is accepting applications through July 31 for Opportunity Zone 2.0 designations, with WEDC and Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority prioritizing workforce housing pipelines.

Panattoni Development will outline plans for a large Beloit-area data center campus at an invite-only lunch and public open house, with MNG Partners framing the event around local growth and economic development impacts.

Wyoming

Wyoming legislators and local leaders convened in Cheyenne to examine tax, water, and workforce issues, with Wyoming Business Council and chamber speakers stressing infrastructure, housing, and water reliability for rural and energy-transitioning communities.