Economic Development and Developers in the News # 256
Econ dev news from 47 economic development executives and organizations in 25 states.
Welcome to the 256th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News.
Today's issue contains news from 47 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 find and understand their sites, match them to projects, and respond with confidence in minutes instead of scrambling for days.
Alabama
Juliana Bolivar and partners from Troy University, Grow Southeast Alabama, and the Small Business Administration are coordinating new strategies to expand local industries.
Arizona
The Arizona Commerce Authority, led by Sandra Watson, will join partners on a Korea delegation supporting advanced manufacturing and Amkor’s $7 billion Peoria facility.
California
California lawmakers discussed AI and technology jobs for the San Joaquin Valley alongside the $600 million Community Economic Resilience Fund.
The City of Sacramento’s Economic Development Department awarded $1 million to 17 organizations to support training and resources for entrepreneurs and advance inclusive economic growth.
Delaware
Milton’s Planning and Zoning Commission may update its development plan to expand economic advocacy and promote incentives to attract new businesses.
Wilmington Mayor John Carney created an Economic Development Roundtable to unite public and private leaders around investment, business support, and sustainable growth.
Florida
Pensacola will shift $325,000 in annual support for FloridaWest and the Pensacola-Escambia Development Commission to sales-tax revenue.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce launched a Times Square billboard to highlight how Florida’s low-tax policies draw businesses and wealth.
Georgia
Liberty GA USA will invest up to $5 billion in a data center creating 150 jobs averaging $80,000.
Hawaii
Hawaii created a new Office of Marine Affairs within the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to coordinate and grow the state’s marine economy.
Idaho
The Idaho Economic Advisory Council recommended 25 communities for federal Opportunity Zones to attract investment, housing, and business development.
Illinois
Illinois enacted a new law that broadens state economic tools for Employment Social Enterprises to grow training and job opportunities.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $3.15 million to prepare two central Illinois industrial sites for future development.
The Economic Development Advisory Board reviewed loan fund changes and advanced local projects and a regional relending grant application.
City Colleges of Chicago joined a national work-based learning cohort with support from World Business Chicago and local employers.
College of DuPage and Innovation DuPage connect student learning, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and economic growth through shared expertise and resources.
Lee County Economic Development Group shared study data showing a need for about 500 new homes to guide future housing grants and community plans.
Indiana
Visit Fort Wayne and Greater Fort Wayne Inc. are working with Sound Diplomacy on a music economy strategy to grow regional creative industries.
Iowa
Economic development director Keaton Van Roekel is working to grow housing and strengthen Hull’s long-term community growth.
Louisiana
Coca-Cola United will invest $106 million and create 134 jobs, supported by Louisiana Central President Chris Masingill.
Justyn Dixon of North Louisiana Economic Partnership announced the Moore Site earned a Louisiana Economic Development certification strengthening the region’s industrial recruitment potential.
Michigan
Southwest Michigan First won a $930,000 grant to expand business coaching, technical help, mentoring, and capital readiness across seven counties.
Minnesota
The Madelia Economic Development Authority approved a historic $3 million loan to Madelia Health to help manage the hospital’s negative cash flow.
Missouri
Kansas City voters approved $1.7 billion in bonds and renewed the sales tax to fund affordable housing and key infrastructure projects for another decade.
Ron Kitchens of Greater St. Louis, Inc. says $25 billion in planned data centers shows St. Louis is competing in the AI economy.
Nevada
Nevada Health and Bioscience Corp. will build a $44 million medical lab to expand testing and train healthcare workers.
New Jersey
The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority approved nearly $1.8 million in grants to support workforce training, food access, arts, and outreach.
New York
Operation Oswego County backed 43 facility projects in 2025, spurring $196 million investment and 1,422 jobs through ongoing countywide development partnerships.
Lewis County Economic Development Agency is seeking a new executive director to guide regional business growth and future development efforts.
Austin Wheelock announced a $14 million expansion of L. Michael Treadwell Oswego County Industrial Park to add up to 10 shovel-ready sites for advanced manufacturing.
Ohio
Appalachian Ohio has 14 announced or suspected data center projects as communities weigh tax revenue, jobs, infrastructure, and public concerns.
Oklahoma
An economist says Oklahoma ranks low on some lists but closer to average on outcome-based measures, stressing stronger human capital and education efforts.
Governor Kevin Stitt visited Lawton’s FISTA to highlight its growing role in defense innovation.
Pennsylvania
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, led by Don Cunningham, helped drive nearly $4 billion in projects that turned the region into a thriving economic hub.
South Carolina
Palmetto Tennis Center and Sumter were honored for using tennis as an economic driver that attracts visitors.
Marlboro County economic development leader Tonny McNeil, who advanced Ferroglobe and Birch Creek Energy projects, died Monday.
Texas
The Hutto Area Chamber and Hutto Economic Development Corporation will open a downtown chamber headquarters.
Arlington Economic Development and nearby cities are adjusting to shrinking land by focusing on redevelopment, sector diversity, job training, and small business support.
COSTEP CEO Adam Gonzalez signed a binational manufacturing pact to boost cross-border industry and workforce development.
Corpus Christi Army Depot shared modernization and workforce plans at a panel by Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation to strengthen regional manufacturing partnerships.
Winema Martinez is Kerrville’s new economic development manager, leading business retention, retail recruitment, and downtown revitalization to support long-term growth.
Nvidia will invest up to $3 billion in Lancium to expand its Stargate data center campus and support large-scale artificial intelligence infrastructure growth.
Vermont
Kirk Dombrowski will chair Vermont’s AI Economic Acceleration working group to develop strategies to boost the state’s readiness.
Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation will host the 2026 Wisconsin Economic Summit, which CEO John W. Miller says will address shared economic challenges.
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority awarded $344,000 to Couleecap and $11,000 to Habitat for affordable housing.
Watertown released an economic development plan to grow agriculture, skilled trades, healthcare training, and recreation assets as part of a long-term city strategy.
