Economic Development and Developers in the News # 253
Econ dev news from 51 economic development executives and organizations in 24 states.
Welcome to the 253rd weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News.
Today's issue contains news from 51 economic development executives and organizations in 24 states.
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The Econ Dev Show is a podcast and email newsletter actionable strategies, fresh news, insights, and ideas from the economic development community and your host, Dane Carlson.
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Alabama
The Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority won a $2.3 million SEEDS grant from the Alabama Department of Commerce to ready a 230-acre industrial site.
The Economic Development Association of Alabama honored Gov. Kay Ivey for driving over $55 billion investment and 93,000 new jobs since 2017.
Alabama lawmakers and economic leaders will attend the Farnborough International Airshow to promote the state’s aerospace workforce and development programs.
Arizona
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company will invest another $100 billion in Arizona, bringing its total to $265 billion and adding four chip plants.
Diné Development Corporation shows how the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Program can build tribal jobs and $5.4 million in community dividends.
Chris James of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development and Development Strategies urged Congress to preserve flexible SEDS grants for tribal planning.
Chandler Escalante earned Workforce Practitioner of the Year from the Arizona Association for Economic Development for building Chandler’s virtual career center.
Arkansas
Entergy Arkansas promoted Bentley Story to director of industrial accounts, drawing on his Arkansas Economic Development Commission experience to support major industrial customers.
Hempstead County Economic Development and Anna Powell are helping 250 Hope Baking workers connect with training, new jobs, and future employers.
The Farmington Chamber of Commerce received a grant to boost business recruitment and improve its farmers market, said Wayne Mays.
California
Economic Development Manager Jennifer Taylor joined over 50 leaders to plan how to turn upcoming global sports events into local economic growth.
Connecticut
The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development opened a $25 million brownfield grant round to help towns reuse contaminated properties.
Connecticut launched an AI workforce strategy with RAISE US, a state AI law, new education, reskilling, and an AI academy.
Florida
A withdrawn Love’s Travel Stop plan ended millions in investment and jobs for Jefferson County, sparking calls to develop new long-term growth strategies.
Former FloridaWest interim CEO Rick Byars will lead Escambia County Economic Development, managing planning, redevelopment, and long-term growth.
Illinois
Woodstock ended its $12.5 million Cobblestone Hotels deal after financing failed, as Jessica Erickson pushes to attract new downtown redevelopment projects.
Indiana
Brad Colter moved the Fayette County Economic Development Group downtown to increase visibility and improve support for local businesses.
Kansas
Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas are weighing $3 million in requests for the last $1.5 million in American Royal funds.
Kentucky
The Northern Kentucky Area Development District is using regional surveys to shape its 2027 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and identify future projects and priorities.
Louisiana
Kristopher Kelley is now CEO of the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce after expanding membership and business, workforce, and education programs.
Integer Technologies expanded its partnership with Louisiana State University to advance $9.8 million naval defense research and develop new autonomous systems for national security.
One Acadiana certified the 20-acre Five Sisters Site as development-ready, expanding St. Martin Parish’s shovel-ready inventory, said Troy Wayman.
Maryland
Prince George’s County paused data center development for two years while leaders study jobs, tax gains, neighborhood impacts, and possible new rules.
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Senate proposed a $325 million bill to boost tech sectors, expand housing, and tighten artificial intelligence and alcohol licensing rules.
A $4 million MassWorks grant is helping launch Stoneham’s $4.7 million downtown revitalization project to improve walkability and spark new business investment.
Minnesota
Jesse Anderson of Maple Grove Community and Economic Development is leading business recruitment and major projects to help the city grow.
Mississippi
Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann highlighted $41 million for the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund and future revolving loans to support growing small and midsize coastal businesses.
Missouri
The Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City cut its business development team, and Tracey Lewis plans new area-focused roles to target business attraction.
New Jersey
Michael Powell returns as Paterson’s economic development director after private-sector work, bringing experience with over $1 billion in projects to advance new city initiatives.
New York
Katie Sovie of Ogdensburg Economic Development is guiding $10 million in local projects through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
New York’s data center moratorium, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, heightens developer concern and sparks debate over environmental and economic impacts.
North Carolina
Richmond County chose Amazon’s $10 billion data center, and Martie Butler says it will fund needed infrastructure and diversify the local economy starting 2027.
Derrick McArthur, Fayetteville’s economic development manager, earned the North Carolina Certified Economic Developer designation for advancing redevelopment and business growth.
Ohio
Hocking County’s economic development committee set goals for a port authority, broadband, GIS mapping, and housing to drive coordinated growth across the county.
Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce backs a new statewide space strategy to attract investment and create jobs by growing Oklahoma’s global space industry role.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 budget includes $125 million for Innovate in PA 2.0 to grow startups and life sciences, expanding the state’s innovation network.
Texas
The Texarkana Chamber of Commerce, led by CEO Robin Hickerson, held the region’s first lithium symposium with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and industry leaders.
The Kilgore Economic Development Corporation named its new executive director, Randy Seitz, to lead business recruitment, manufacturing growth, and workforce development.
Hawkins Community Development Corporation projects and a $1 million downtown grant are paused while city leaders reassess economic development oversight.
Virginia
Emily Archer will lead Virginia Beach Economic Development efforts to grow jobs, attract companies, and support entrepreneurs.
Loudoun County earned four National Association of Counties awards, including one for a Loudoun County Economic Development bus tour supporting the region’s agricultural economy.
Anna Nissinen, Arlington’s new economic development director, is strengthening the workforce and attracting businesses through Arlington Economic Development.
