Economic Development and Developers in the News # 262

Welcome to the 262nd weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News.

Today's issue contains 42 stories from 28 states and Puerto Rico.

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Alabama

DeKalb County Economic Development Authority received $24,787 to improve business outreach, staff training, and contact management.

Arizona

Jaye O’Donnell’s Mesa Office of Economic Development won Golden Prospector awards for the Hadrian project and Better Life Mesa campaign.

Arkansas

Pulaski County secured $4.5 million for better access to the Port of Little Rock and Interstate 530.

Mike Malone of Economic Leadership urged regional cooperation on workforce, power, housing, and business growth at a Fayetteville briefing.

Vanessa Weeks’s Developing Howard County is seeking funding to prepare a planned Tyson property donation for future development.

California

Antioch requested a plan for a separate economic development department, with staffing, salary, and budget proposals due October 13.

Connecticut

Caryn Kaufman became Stratford’s interim economic development director, with consultant Mike Freimuth supporting the department’s planning.

Florida

Jackson County received a $3.8 million economic development grant agreement through FloridaCommerce, with application support from Shumaker Advisors.

Palm Beach County approved a five-year, $9.1 million contract with its Business Development Board to recruit and retain businesses.

Georgia

Tonya Powers is leaving for a private-sector role after leading Franklin County Industrial Building Authority since 2018.

Georgia Economic Developers Association, Georgia Power, and Georgia’s education department recognized six school districts for strong employer partnerships.

Indiana

Mike Perleberg’s I-74 Business Corridor launched a six-month agriculture initiative to turn regional planning into business investment opportunities.

Susan Borries Reed will become president and CEO of Bloomington Economic Development Corporation October 19.

Roberto Gallardo of Purdue explains why population loss and economic decline differ, helping communities target local policy.

Iowa

Incremental Development Alliance will host a four-part virtual small-scale development workshop for Johnson and Linn counties October 6–27.

Kentucky

Robin Gabbard’s Mountain Association secured $2 million to support essential small businesses across 54 Appalachian Kentucky counties.

Maine

Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments is helping three towns plan recreation investments at a September 30–October 1 workshop.

Massachusetts

Patricia Costa hosted Brazilian business leaders for an economic development tour through Acton and the Route 2 corridor.

Michigan

Natalie Chmiko’s Lake Superior Community Partnership received $100,000 to connect outdoor recreation resources across Marquette and Delta counties.

Brandee Cooke-Brown’s 100K Ideas and Samantha Schnettler’s Huron County Economic Development Corporation each received $100,000 for business support.

Minnesota

Becky Zoubek’s Minnesota DEED working group is aligning training with Rochester’s bioscience employers, including lab skills and short courses.

Mississippi

Stone County Economic Development Partnership recognized local leadership and business contributions, honoring Ladd Taylor and Mississippi Power.

Nebraska

Maureen Larsen will chair Nebraska’s new economic growth working group, coordinating business recruitment, site readiness, and a statewide strategy.

Scotti Ross’s Custer Economic Development Corporation reported over $900,000 in housing funding and eight lot sales during its annual update.

Nevada

Danielle Casey’s Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance plans an October 15 rebrand and a move to Black Fire Innovation.

New Jersey

Newark Alliance and Invest Newark will help lead the December 8 Newark Summit, focused on investment, housing, and local growth.

New Mexico

Job Training Albuquerque has trained over 5,000 workers since 2020, with average wage gains above 27%.

New York

Leslie Wellington became Ulster County’s permanent economic development director after serving as interim director since July.

Jim Siplon of Warren County EDC explains how downtown investment and year-round tourism support local businesses.

North Carolina

Brandon Ruppe of Burke Development outlined a proposed airport investment involving an unnamed company, a 60,000-square-foot facility, and 37 potential jobs.

Ohio

Ohio Department of Development announced over $6 million for five Appalachian projects, supporting workforce training and industrial infrastructure.

Rick Baxter of Alliance Area Development became Alliance’s economic development adviser, adding city recruitment duties to his existing role.

Oklahoma

Amber Miller became interim president and CEO of the Broken Arrow Chamber and Economic Development Corporation.

Jamie Nichols of Econ Dev Ops explains how towns can test sports-complex projections against debt costs, regional competition, and actual returns.

Oregon

Jason Middleton became trade and economic development director at Port of Umatilla, bringing experience in agriculture and export logistics.

Pennsylvania

Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation shares seven ways to build regional talent, including apprenticeships, employer-led training, and internships.

Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC and Pennsylvania Downtown Center helped shape a $64 million downtown revitalization plan.

Puerto Rico

Cornell and the U.S. Forest Service released tourism recommendations for El Yunque, linking local business opportunities with forest protection.

Texas

Ernest Peeples’s Entergy Texas celebrated Entergy’s 19th straight Top Utility recognition from Site Selection for economic development.

Virginia

Brian Falin’s Wise County Industrial Development Authority is preparing two housing sites that could support about 100 homes.

Fairfax County honored the regional collaboration of Victor Hoskins after seven years leading Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.

Wisconsin

Aaron Towns joined the board of Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, bringing two decades of finance, operations, and technology experience.