Economic Development and Developers in the News # 257

Welcome to the 257th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News. 

Today's issue contains news from 76 economic development executives and organizations in 36 states.

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Arizona

Arizona and tribal nations signed an economic development agreement to expand collaboration and local opportunity.

Phoenix’s three airports generate $44.3 billion yearly and plan new capacity without local tax dollars.

The Navajo Nation approved a $146,000 contract for a Navajo-owned lodging platform, supporting tourism and local hosts.

Mesa plans up to $950,000 in public-infrastructure reimbursement for Cannon Beach’s hotel project, said Jaye O’Donnell.

Arizona State University researchers mapped 433 million job postings to help regions find high-wage skills and workforce gaps.

Arkansas

Arkansas voters will decide whether development districts may back private projects with future tax revenue.

California

Behring Companies proposed a 20,000-square-foot Oakland AI data center linked to its nearby Stack Ventures campus.

A four-county survey seeks priorities for Northern California’s 2027–2032 economic plan.

Sonora will consider a five-year strategy from Tyler Summersett and Cole Przybyla to coordinate regional economic development.

Connecticut

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development awarded $20 million for a 100,000-square-foot Hartford AI and workforce center.

Delaware

Wilmington created an economic roundtable chaired by the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce to advise city business-growth policy.

Florida

The Florida Chamber of Commerce ran a Times Square business-attraction billboard urging New Yorkers to move to Florida.

Hernando County secured $13.6 million for airport infrastructure to prepare 600 acres for aviation investment.

Hernon Manufacturing invested $2.8 million in a 13,000-square-foot Sanford expansion to add manufacturing capacity.

South Florida developers say tax policy, corporate relocations, and amenities support long-term property value.

Bruce Bond and John DeAngelis filed plans for a 542-acre Collier County motorsports community amid wetlands and wildlife opposition.

Georgia

DeltaX will invest $141 million and create 250 Walton County jobs, welcomed by Ben McDaniel of the Development Authority of Walton County.

The Stephens County Development Authority and Brandon Lounsbury of the Georgia Department of Economic Development visited two manufacturers to review state incentives.

Illinois

Doug Pryor will step down for medical reasons as head of the Will County Center for Economic Development.

The Great River Economic Development Foundation and Hancock County Economic Development Corporation created a shared business and workforce role, said Kyle Moore.

Iowa

After Palo Alto County ended the partnership, Kossuth County rebranded its development organization to continue regional business support.

Louisiana

Entergy and Danny Games marked CDI’s 40 years of training community leaders, including more than 30 Entergy graduates.

Louisiana’s Act 499 lets colleges retain added campus sales taxes for local development districts.

Ramesh Kolluru showcased UL Lafayette’s $263 million research enterprise and $4.4 billion statewide impact.

Maine

Central Maine Growth Council hired Amanda Wrigley to lead ecosystem building and economic programming across central Maine.

Maryland

Maryland Economic Development Corporation hosted Wallops Industry Day, where regional leaders discussed NASA Wallops’ future at Salisbury University.

Massachusetts

The Cape Cod Commission opened $125,000 in development grants, with awards up to $25,000.

Massachusetts senators left noncompete reforms out of the economic development bill despite Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce support.

Minnesota

The Lower Sioux Indian Community built a hempcrete business creating housing, jobs, and local economic opportunity.

Itasca County and regional partners launched a 10-year economic strategy for resilience and industry growth.

Kandiyohi County Economic Development filled four staff roles after two years of vacancies, restoring business support across the county.

Mississippi

Golden Triangle Development LINK CEO Meryl Fisackerly says five or six data-center developers contacted the region in one week, alongside aerospace interest.

Missouri

Terry Rumery says Chillicothe is pursuing Missouri Certified Site status to prove its industrial park is shovel-ready.

Houston received a $10,000 grant to launch the Idea Lab small-business incubator.

Crystal Jones and Shad Burner formalized a recruitment and regional-marketing partnership with the Perry County Economic Development Authority.

Montana

Snowy Mountain Development Corporation honored Ross Butcher for nine years as board chair and his regional stewardship.

Nebraska

Mary Berlie of the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation reported a $1.55 million cash balance in the city’s LB840 development fund.

Nevada

The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development approved $17.6 million in abatements for nine companies planning $153 million in equipment investment.

Jeff Sutich, CEO of Nevada Builders Alliance, joined the Governor’s Workforce Development Board to strengthen technical-career pipelines.

New Mexico

Quantinuum will expand its Albuquerque research hub with $1.5 million in public support and dozens of skilled jobs.

Western New Mexico University trained planners, tribal leaders, municipal managers, and developers through its weeklong Basic Economic Development Course.

New York

Amsterdam’s community and economic development director is leaving for private-sector real estate work.

New York lawmakers proposed ending data-center tax breaks during a one-year pause on hyperscale-project permits.

Long Island development agencies and Empire State Development said housing incentives are needed to offset high costs and worker outmigration.

Paul Tonko warned federal offshore-wind opposition could cost New York manufacturing jobs, citing an Oceantic Network study.

North Carolina

An Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina study found record 2025 tourism spending of $37.2 billion, with uneven Hurricane Helene recovery.

Moore County leaders called child care essential economic infrastructure, citing waitlists that keep parents from work.

North Dakota

Howard Brockhouse joined the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation to lead primary-sector recruitment and expansion.

Ohio

At a Bowling Green Chamber update, Ohio lawmakers backed small-business partnerships and short-term workforce credentials.

5C Group is investing $1.3 billion in a Springfield data center promising 120 jobs amid energy-use concerns.

Oklahoma

Leidos broke ground on a two-facility defense-manufacturing complex at Lawton’s FISTA hub.

Oregon

Behlen marked 30 years in Baker City, where its plant employs at least 100 people.

Katy Brooks and Jon Stark of Economic Development for Central Oregon backed Bend changes to make industrial sites build-ready.

Lane County opened $200,000 in nonprofit grants for jobs, business assistance, innovation, and downtown revitalization.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s economic development department will invest $125 million in Innovate in PA 2.0 for commercialization and venture capital, said Rick Siger.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development gave Sharon a Main Street designation, unlocking up to $225,000 for downtown revitalization.

Rhode Island

Revolution Wind is 95% complete and set for year-end operation, supplying up to 704 megawatts.

The University of Rhode Island received $2.5 million to expand RISE-UP entrepreneurship, commercialization, and dual-use workforce programs.

South Dakota

The South Dakota Board of Economic Development approved $391,000 for two Rapid City expansions expected to create 25–31 jobs, said Bill Even.

Sioux Metro Growth Alliance hired operations and economic development staff as CEO Tyler Tordsen expands regional support.

Tennessee

Campbell County created a full-time economic and workforce development director role.

Texas

Chief Gary Batton and Choctaw Nation teams met the Paris Economic Development Corporation to explore business investment and collaboration.

Corpus Christi Army Depot shared modernization and workforce plans at a Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation manufacturing panel.

Fort Worth approved a $4.5 million incentive deal requiring 1,000 jobs and $74 million in investment, said Jessica Rogers.

Brenda Hicks-Sorensen and the City of San Antonio Economic Development Department outlined a competitiveness strategy centered on workforce, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and global investment.

Vermont

Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation named Richard Amore executive director to expand business opportunity and regional partnerships across central Vermont.

Virginia

Jennifer Schmack clarified Fluvanna County cannot control private property listings as supervisors weighed stricter data-center zoning.

Washington

Ferndale City Council reviewed regional hazard and economic-development plans while advancing infrastructure funding for affordable housing.

West Virginia

The Roane County Economic Development Authority was appointed to West Virginia’s Jumpstart advisory committee to improve rural access to skilled-trades savings.

Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation awarded $50,000 to rebuild Mukwonago’s Kiwanis barn as a community gathering space, led by John W. Miller.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Association honored Representative Randy Udell for supporting small businesses, workforce housing, child care, and local investment.