Economic Development and Developers in the News # 254
Econ dev news from 54 economic development executives and organizations in 25 states.
Welcome to the 254th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News.
Today's issue contains news from 54 economic development executives and organizations in 25 states.
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The Econ Dev Show is a podcast and email newsletter sharing actionable strategies, fresh news, insights, and ideas from the economic development community and your host, Dane Carlson.
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Sitehunt helps economic developers understand their sites, match them to projects, and respond with confidence in minutes instead of scrambling for days.
Alaska
Wrangell is sharing housing plans with federal officials to back a JAG Marine Group shipyard partnership that could create hundreds of jobs and new housing.
Arizona
Chandler Economic Development launched “Let’s Talk Business,” offering monthly one-on-one meetings with Micah Miranda to give companies direct access to city leadership.
Arkansas
Jim Jackson promoted an Arkansas redevelopment finance amendment to help Anna Powell and Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation create new local investment tools.
California
The San Bernardino County Economic Development Department earned four National Association of Counties awards for innovative projects that support business growth and community revitalization.
Vallejo’s council set economic development as a top goal and pledged to fix barriers like slow permits during its annual planning session.
Connecticut
Kevin Bielmeier, president of the Connecticut Economic Development Association, became Berlin’s new economic development director after Christopher Edge resigned to guide local growth and partnerships.
Economic Development Director Patrick McMahon says Windsor may offer new tax breaks to encourage converting vacant offices into multifamily housing.
Florida
Quint Studer outlines a three-step investment model that helped boost Pensacola’s downtown property values, offering a repeatable approach to strengthen local economies.
Indiana
St. Joseph County hired independent counsel to review Economic Development Director Bill Schalliol's actions on Hexagon Energy's proposed DuMont Solar farm.
Iowa
Ames and Coralville startups received loans from Iowa Economic Development Authority as Iowa Economic Development backs new business investment and expansion.
Dan Culhane of the Ames Chamber of Commerce urges careful review of a proposed data center, weighing investment, jobs, and environmental responsibility.
Kentucky
Poe Companies and PowerHouse Data Centers plan a $9.6 billion Kentucky project to build a hyperscale data center with thousands of jobs.
Newport is investing $3.8 million to buy and stabilize nine downtown properties before seeking private redevelopment proposals and public input.
Tom West is retiring as Covington’s Economic Development Director after leading projects that attracted $240 million investment and 5,000 jobs.
Louisiana
The St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation named Ginger Cangelosi CEO to use her 20 years of experience to drive regional investment and growth.
Susan Bourgeois of Louisiana Economic Development is courting Meta, Amazon data centers, and possible SpaceX to land major technology projects in Louisiana.
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Senate approved a $575 million borrowing bill for defense, AI, small business, and the creative economy and advanced major growth and tax changes.
A Massachusetts bill would fund $325.1 million in bonds and $100 million in 2026, including supporting Westborough economic development and local jobs.
A $41 million Holyoke sports complex proposal faces legal and community opposition over Elmwood Forest impacts, despite mayoral backing and ongoing public debate over development.
Michigan
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation backs local authorities using state funds to advance taxpayer-supported revitalization projects across several communities.
Michigan’s new law lets the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority issue conduit bonds for riverfront projects to spur private waterfront investment and jobs.
Mississippi
MEI Industrial Solutions will create 75 to 100 manufacturing jobs in Madison County, said Joey Deason of the Madison County Economic Development Authority.
Missouri
The Economic Development Administration awarded $38 million to Missouri S&T’s tech hub to expand critical minerals research and strengthen the domestic supply chain.
Kansas City voters will decide whether to renew a sales tax that raised $99 million, while Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City manages the program.
Lakesha Mathis of Greater St. Louis, Inc. was named one of Consultant Connect’s 2026 Top 50 Economic Developers for leading regional community engagement and growth.
SEMO Regional Economic Development Inc., led by Shad Burner, launched Industry Insights to highlight workforce strategies and shifting labor market trends.
Nevada
The Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, led by Taylor Adams, rebranded amid growing debate over data center tax breaks for Google.
New Jersey
Executive Director Kwaku Dokyi says Trenton Forward launched an AI-assisted platform to connect leaders and drive investment across Trenton’s economic ecosystem.
New York
Anthony Shorris will lead the New York City Economic Development Corporation in shifting city development toward public-focused economic justice projects.
68-72 Buena Vista Ave Realty LLC seeks Yonkers Industrial Development Agency aid for a $20.3 million, 56-unit project to revitalize long-vacant Yonkers properties.
The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership is using a campus strategy to attract institutions and mixed uses to revitalize 1.4 million square feet of vacant offices.
The $225 million Rochester-Monroe Transformation Initiative is accepting applications for $5 million-plus projects that create jobs or improve public spaces across Rochester and Monroe County.
North Carolina
A North Carolina Commerce analysis finds strong business growth and jobs, but slow wage gains threaten long-term economic vitality.
Louis Starks, a certified economic development professional, is Wilmington’s new Business and Economic Development Manager to boost investment, workforce development, and partnerships.
Edenton Town Council approved a performance-based incentive to bring Carlie C’s IGA, as Ches Chesson supports a broader push to grow local retail jobs.
Ohio
Lake to River Economic Development named Christine Vinion finance director and Vicki Rusu engagement director to strengthen operations, as Dani Robbins noted, supporting regional growth.
Oklahoma
Desri’s affiliate Hecate Energy Sooner Solar plans a $500 million, 500-megawatt solar farm and battery system to boost Comanche County jobs and tax revenue.
Texas
Taylor Economic Development Corporation sold former park land to a data center developer for $10 million, projected to generate $30 million city revenue.
Clancy Hardin describes how Cibolo targets advanced manufacturing, defense, and healthcare recruitment to diversify its tax base and support lasting growth.
Virginia
David Manley, former Joint Industrial Development Authority of Wythe County leader, now heads the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, which has awarded over $1.1 billion.
Chris Saxman urges Virginia leaders to move beyond rankings toward data-driven strategies that address workforce, costs, and federal dependence.
Washington
Tri County Economic Development District appointed Frank Metlow executive director, using his planning and broadband experience to guide future regional economic projects.
Kitsap Economic Development Alliance and Mason Economic Development Council say a Highway 3 sewer expansion could generate thousands of jobs and billions in business revenue.
West Virginia
A $58.7 million JC Lando redevelopment in downtown Wheeling will build mixed-use space and create hundreds of jobs.
Wisconsin
Sam Rikkers and Dale Kooyenga say Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce fear Canadian tariffs could hurt trade, investment and jobs.
