Economic Development and Developers in the News # 258
Econ dev news from 80 economic development executives and organizations in 35 states.
Welcome to the 258th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News.
Today's issue contains news from 80 economic development executives and organizations in 35 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, understand and enrich their sites, match them to projects, and respond with confidence in minutes instead of scrambling for days.
Alabama
Gadsden mayoral candidates Craig Ford and Thomas Worthy shared different economic plans, from manufacturing jobs to startups, during a recent public forum discussion.
Alabama added 20,400 jobs over the past year and set record-high weekly wages in construction and manufacturing, showing steady statewide job and wage growth.
Arizona
Peoria won the International Economic Development Council Gold Award for its Peoria Innovation Core, boosting advanced manufacturing and semiconductor growth through new innovation-focused initiatives.
The International Economic Development Council honored Glendale's Experience Glendale Day for its economic development rebrand.
City of Mesa Office of Economic Development won a 2026 Silver Award from International Economic Development Council for advancing its AI-Enabled Economic Development Intelligence System.
The Town of Fountain Hills named Sophia Renk economic development specialist to strengthen local businesses, attract investment, and support long-term economic growth efforts.
Arkansas
The University of Central Arkansas Community Development Institute celebrated 40 years training community leaders, honoring Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and Conway Development Corporation.
Mississippi County officials are pursuing a yarn plant that could lead to a textile mill and more than 2,000 Arkansas jobs.
Chris Hill of the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce completed year two of the University of Central Arkansas Community Development Institute.
California
San Francisco is offering new financial incentives for converting empty offices to housing, including a 104-unit Emerald Fund project, to revitalize downtown and boost activity.
Colorado
Matt Abbey is the new economic development director for Alamosa, leading efforts to attract investment and support business growth in the city’s expanding economy.
Curtis Englehart said the Grand Junction Economic Partnership won two Silver Awards from the International Economic Development Council for regional impact and innovation.
Connecticut
Bloomfield issued an RFP for a major downtown redevelopment with new housing, retail, and public space; submit a proposal for the project.
Florida
Titusville’s new Economic Development Board held its first meeting to advance business attraction, job creation, and investment, launching work on the city’s growth plan.
Jacksonville City Council now requires incentive-backed companies to commit to hiring veterans for new jobs, including special focus on Cecil Field projects.
Georgia
Chris Burnett said Sandy Springs approved incentives for the North River shopping center overhaul, supporting mixed-use redevelopment.
Pat Wilson and the Georgia Department of Economic Development began a Chile and Peru trade mission focused on forestry, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Idaho
Michelle Bly, a certified economic development professional, became Port of Lewiston District 1 Commissioner to guide rural infrastructure and port growth efforts.
Illinois
Jessica Erickson said Woodstock approved 187 apartments at the former Die Cast site, despite neighbors' traffic and density concerns.
Kristin Richards and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity launched Opportunity Zones 2.0 to attract private investment and jobs statewide.
Indiana
The Starke County Economic Development Foundation faces questions over $110,000 in annual county funding as council members seek more transparency.
The Lake County Plan Commission sent a proposed 6,000-acre economic development area back for revisions to refine its job creation and local funding plans.
Iowa
Grow Clinton and partners, including Stacy Borgeson, are organizing job fairs and support services to help 2,700 laid-off Tyson Foods workers transition.
Kentucky
BE NKY Growth Partnership promoted Kimberly Rossetti to chief economic development officer to lead strategies for the organization’s Build + Elevate 2032 growth campaign.
Louisiana
The Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership won two 2026 awards from the International Economic Development Council for strengthening its BRAC Impact event and website.
Greater New Orleans, Inc. leader Michael Hecht says New Orleans’ new corridors plan will coordinate site work and attract jobs in New Orleans East.
SpaceX plans to invest $100 billion in a Louisiana spaceport, expanding rocket launches, creating 3,000 jobs, and supporting related environmental restoration work.
Susan Bourgeois says Louisiana Economic Development secured $160 billion in investment and 16,000 jobs, supported by Source Louisiana.
Amazon will hold an open house to explain proposed data centers in Bossier and Caddo parishes to discuss local investment and growth.
The Delta STEM and Artificial Intelligence Institute opened to boost workforce skills in AI and new technologies and drive long-term regional economic growth.
One Acadiana and Lafayette Economic Development Authority certified a 16.54-acre Broussard site for development, the 37th certified site in Acadiana, said Mandi Mitchell.
Maine
Greg Watson resigned as Portland’s housing and economic development director, and Pat Finnigan is interim director while the city begins a permanent director search.
The Maine Public Utilities Commission chose Clearway for an 800-megawatt wind farm and Avangrid for transmission, advancing a major clean energy project.
Bangor's YMCA expansion, a $5.5 million kitchen incubator, and new investors show the city's growing development momentum.
Economic Development Director Anne Krieg says a local group plans to buy Bangor Mall and turn it into a busy mixed-use retail center.
Massachusetts
Westborough seeks a business leader for its Economic Development Committee to support policy, business outreach, and regional economic advancement work.
Michigan
Michigan is funding 20 new grants to grow food, agriculture, and forestry businesses, expand infrastructure, and support rural jobs through targeted project investments.
Minnesota
Kandiyohi County Economic Development expects the $3.1 million Robbins Island Amphitheater to draw visitors and events and support local businesses and tourism.
Minnesota State University, Mankato is consolidating programs and deepening community partnerships to address its budget deficit and drive new regional economic development projects.
Mississippi
Mississippi reached a record 1,196,200 nonfarm jobs as over $85 billion in investment and major projects boost the state’s economic growth.
Missouri
Port KC President and CEO Jon Stephens discusses leading riverfront redevelopment and global business attraction to drive long-term economic change in Kansas City.
Nebraska
With over 15 years of experience, Melissa Garcia becomes Norfolk’s economic development director after leading Custer Economic Development Corporation, guiding local business growth and investment.
New Mexico
Western New Mexico University will host a rare national economic development course, giving professionals advanced training and supporting workforce development.
Los Alamos County will use LEDA and MRA tools to boost investment, redevelop blighted properties, and publicly review business projects.
New York
Orange County Partnership will honor three city leaders with the 2026 Women of Achievement in Economic Development Award for advancing major county growth projects.
TDC, led by Danielle King, will receive a 2026 Silver Award from the International Economic Development Council for North Country Manufacturing Day.
A $1.4 million project at the I-84 and Route 311 corridor will support major job creation and new tax revenue.
Albion is updating its comprehensive plan to improve housing, downtown, and infrastructure and to position the village for future grant funding.
North Carolina
The Carolinas Gateway Partnership backed state grants supporting Tarboro facility expansions, totaling $580,000 and helping create 92 jobs and $45 million investment.
Richmond County commissioners pressed County Manager Bryan Land on transparency in selling 400 acres to data center firm Digital Hamlet after approving recent incentive deals.
Ohio
Dani Robbins said a Lake to River Economic Development study found a regional pipeline could attract major industries, according to Eastgate Regional Council of Governments.
Jessica Gribben said Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development approved tax savings for Newman's $21 million Mansfield expansion, supporting local manufacturing growth.
Mansfield City Council approved a five-year plan to modernize the almost 100-year-old Lahm Airport and pursue new aviation-focused investment opportunities.
Fairfield joined the Great Miami Riverway coalition, supporting riverfront tourism and development as visitor spending nears $700 million in 2025, and strengthening regional economic impact.
Oregon
A new Blue Economy Task Force will guide marine and coastal projects to support sustainable growth and jobs, as officials launch coordinated ocean-based development efforts.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania lawmakers are moving to limit secret data center deals as Governor Josh Shapiro’s order blocks nondisclosure agreements in state-backed projects.
A West Virginia University researcher will discuss lasting economic losses from 2010s Appalachian coal mine closures during a Penn State policy seminar event.
Rhode Island
A group including Joseph R. Paolino Jr., Pyramid Management Group, and DW Partners will reinvest in Providence Place to boost downtown.
Tennessee
NETWORKS earned the 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award, recognizing its achievements and ongoing efforts to advance local economic growth.
The Mid-South Business Continuum’s Economic Development Forum will connect small businesses with technology, automation, and advanced manufacturing opportunities and support robotics and AI workforce development.
The Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce named Christina Henderson economic development director to lead recruitment, industry support, and workforce partnerships.
Texas
The Pflugerville Community Development Corporation marks 25 years of sales tax–funded growth and jobs, as Jerry Jones highlights its expanding business support work.
Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation won four awards from the International Economic Development Council for strategy, inclusion, reporting, and business education.
Visit Amarillo is using Route 66 centennial events and minor league baseball to grow rural tourism and boost local hotels and businesses.
David A. Stedman and the Laredo Economic Development Corporation will host the 33rd Pathways for Trade symposium on trade, infrastructure, manufacturing, and workforce.
United States
Community colleges use $51 million from the Economic Development Administration for biomanufacturing training that helps regional biotech clusters turn industrial policy into economic mobility.
Virgin Islands
UVI Research and Technology Park earned six International Economic Development Council awards, including three golds, for advancing STEM, renewable energy, and innovative financing.
Virginia
The Prince William County Department of Economic Development earned 2026 Organization of the Year honors from the International Economic Development Council under Christina Winn.
Roanoke, guided by Marc Nelson, may develop a casino district and upgrade Berglund Center with $350 million investment and 1,560 jobs.
Washington
The Port of Pasco and City of Connell formed a partnership to speed industrial growth in North Franklin County and coordinate new regional business recruitment.
Steve Curley’s Redmond Economic Development, Inc. drives local growth by supporting expanding businesses and new investment projects.
Wisconsin
After Dane County denied zoning for a truck repair shop, Vienna will revisit its economic development strategy and consider new commercial options.
