Economic Development and Developers in the News # 260
Econ dev news from 58 economic development executives and organizations in 27 states.
Welcome to the 260th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News.
Today's issue contains news from 58 economic development executives and organizations in 27 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, enrich and market their sites, match them to projects, and respond with confidence in minutes instead of scrambling for days.
Arizona
Common Sense Institute estimated Arizona’s arts sector supports 113,000 jobs and $18.4 billion in economic output, highlighting culture’s role in attracting talent.
California
Jeffrey Ball of Orange County Business Council urged stronger school-business connections through career exploration, internships, and apprenticeships to build the local workforce.
Colorado
Shawna Lippert was named Colorado Springs’ economic development officer, bringing experience in business recruitment and a focus on infrastructure readiness.
Delaware
Emma Odren will become New Castle County’s economic development director September 28, bringing experience in business recruitment, research, and public-private partnerships.
Florida
Erin Silk of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County explained how ports, trade zones, and global supply chains shape local business growth.
Sandra Marin Ruiz helped Florida Atlantic University earn national recognition for regional economic engagement, including entrepreneurship, research commercialization, and workforce development.
Illinois
Sarosh Saher became economic development director at Elgin Development Group, bringing three decades of planning, revitalization, and business-support experience.
Indiana
Gary/Chicago International Airport launched a $24 million cargo expansion, adding freight capacity and infrastructure to support Northwest Indiana’s logistics economy.
Iowa
CIRAS staff Paul Gormley and Brian Muff earned university awards for helping Iowa businesses adopt technology and connect with researchers.
Kentucky
Geoff Marietta’s One Harlan County secured $450,000 for economic revitalization, including small-business support and a planned remote-worker hub.
Lexington’s Kevin Atkins outlined workforce training, business incentives, and industrial-site investments, including $400,000 for job training and the upcoming Legacy Business Park.
BE NKY Growth Partnership won an international workforce-development award for its roadmap connecting students with career exploration, education, and employers.
Louisiana
Ginger Cangelosi became CEO of St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation, prioritizing workforce training and a planned $9 million aerospace education center.
Black Bayou Energy Hub announced a $1.6 billion Louisiana expansion, adding 23 direct jobs through natural-gas infrastructure and its Lafayette headquarters.
Frymaster will invest $11.5 million and add 47 Shreveport jobs, backed by North Louisiana Economic Partnership and Justyn Dixon.
Massachusetts
Aaron Vega’s Western Mass Economic Development Council outlined a regional innovation strategy connecting university research, manufacturers, and workforce partners to grow companies and careers.
Mississippi
Hitachi Energy announced a $528 million Copiah County expansion creating 654 jobs, with Mississippi Development Authority support and production expected in 2029.
Missouri
Michelle Hataway and Missouri Partnership will join a September 17–23 trade mission to Italy, pursuing investment and stronger relationships with existing employers.
New Jersey
Trenton housing and economic development director Yolanda Vazquez will discuss city priorities with residents at a September 16 community meeting.
New Mexico
Chad Matheson’s Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance celebrated Project Ranger’s statewide collaboration award for the planned $220 million missile-manufacturing campus in Sandoval County.
New York
Empire State Development selected five drone and robotics startups for GENIUS NY, offering $3 million in investment and support through CenterState CEO.
Monroe Community College completed its $69.6 million advanced technology center, expanding training for manufacturing, automotive, HVAC, and solar careers.
Ohio
Lydia Mihalik’s Ohio Department of Development awarded $14 million for workforce housing in 10 counties, helping communities near major employers expand housing infrastructure.
Ashley Epling outlined business recruitment, workforce development, and financing support provided by Williams County Economic Development Corporation.
Fairborn Development Corporation’s Cherise Schell reported $1 million in state support for Skyway Plaza site preparation, while seeking a future tenant.
COhatch and Kettering partners began a $16.5 million restoration of the historic Barnes Building, creating coworking, business-support, school, and community spaces.
Oklahoma
Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation won an international silver award for workforce programs spanning student internships, job fairs, and relocation grants.
Pennsylvania
Chester Economic Development Authority’s Lisa Gaffney welcomed a $97.1 million revitalization package supporting infrastructure, housing repairs, blight removal, and economic growth.
PECO earned national economic-development recognition after supporting 27 projects representing nearly $30 billion in investment and more than 20,000 planned jobs.
South Carolina
Berkeley County Economic Development will host a free Google AI workshop September 23, helping small businesses apply practical tools to daily operations.
Tennessee
Janet Wilson of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Economic Development Council will speak at Austin Peay’s business series October 28.
Blake Ramsey became assistant commissioner for business development at the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, focusing on agricultural businesses, trade, and rural growth.
Texas
Joe Salazar became acting CEO of Mission Economic Development Corporation, maintaining business programs during the search for a permanent leader.
Austin Economic Development will explain its zero-interest Kiva microloans September 30, connecting entrepreneurs with funding and local business-support partners.
David Stedman’s Laredo Economic Development Corporation won an international bronze award for its regional economic outlook brochure promoting trade and investment.
McKinney is considering a $21 million budget allocation for Cannon Beach, funding previously approved incentives for the planned surf resort.
United States
Mid-America Economic Development Council honored regional programs for entrepreneurship, workforce development, placemaking, and investment at its annual conference.
Utah
EDCUtah backed A1 Lithium’s planned $569 million Emery County plant, which secured performance-based state incentives and projects 138 jobs.
Virginia
Patrick Barker outlined Warren County proposals to speed site-plan approvals, utility requests, and permits for target industries.
Suffolk economic development director Janet Days outlined projects spanning mixed-use development, business expansion, and childcare, drawing on nearly four decades of public service.
Washington
Seattle launched a business-retention task force and permitting reforms, with economic development director Beto Yarce helping diversify its employer base.
West Virginia
Lindsey Piersol reported nine manufacturing prospects and six site-readiness grants as Wood County Economic Development advances business recruitment and expansion projects.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation signed a French regional partnership to connect businesses, researchers, and investors in agriculture, energy, advanced manufacturing, and biotherapies.
