Economic Development and Developers in the News # 264

Welcome to the 264th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News.

Today's issue contains 62 stories from 31 states and across the country.

If this is your first time reading: Hello!

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.

Listen now in your favorite podcast player, or subscribe.

To submit your organization's news, please use this form.

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.

Learn More

Arkansas

Great River EDC’s Clif Chitwood announced retirement plans in Mississippi County.

Reason Foundation questions tax and governance risks in Arkansas’ proposed economic development amendment, urging broader business-climate improvements.

California

Mountain View’s Makers Market brought over 50 local vendors downtown, supporting small businesses and community-led revitalization.

Imperial County and GO-Biz reviewed state business incentives and financing tools to support local investment, expansion, and jobs.

San Diego released proposed Sports Arena redevelopment agreements covering 4,250 homes, including at least 2,000 affordable units.

Antioch is considering a standalone economic development department, with dedicated funding for a director, a specialist, and operations.

California and France signed a clean energy partnership to connect researchers and businesses, strengthen trade, and support innovation.

Colorado

Thornton shortlisted three developers for its Market at 88th site, seeking proposals for a walkable retail destination on 15.6 acres.

Gunnison is launching a new economic partnership to carry out its growth strategy and hire an executive director.

Chris Castilian joined the executive committee of the Metro Denver Economic Development Council, helping oversee its budget and programs.

Florida

Orlando Economic Partnership supported Drummond Carpenter’s Maitland expansion, which plans 30 new jobs over five years.

Shumaker Advisors helped secure a $3.8 million economic development grant for Jackson County.

Silver Fox 606 sued Indiantown over its $25 million data center proposal, seeking to protect its development approvals.

Eddie Gonzalez Loumiet and the Tallahassee Chamber are using digital portals to market the region and connect businesses with resources and talent.

Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance’s Bob Swindell will retire in 2027, following nearly two decades leading Broward County’s economic development agency.

Georgia

Emory University and Georgia Tech are investing more than $1 billion in AI to strengthen talent, research, and business growth.

Idaho

Steve Jenkins became Nampa’s economic development director, focusing on quality investment, downtown growth, and workforce readiness.

Illinois

Illinois DCEO’s Andrea Carl Runge visited Vienna High School’s career programs during the One Shawnee Summit, strengthening workforce and regional partnerships.

Indiana

Commerce Secretary Chuck Goodrich is meeting Japanese automakers to strengthen Indiana’s investment partnerships and advanced manufacturing industry.

Iowa

Toledo’s Katherine Ollendieck joined the groundbreaking for Woodlawn’s first 10 homes, advancing a housing project years in the making.

Kentucky

Louisville Water’s Kelley Dearing Smith highlighted reliable water’s role in business attraction at the Women in Economic Development event.

Louisiana

St. George proposed a tax district to fund an indoor sports complex, aiming to attract hotels, restaurants, and other development.

Economist Loren Scott of Loren C. Scott & Associates outlined Northwest Louisiana’s growth opportunities, citing energy, industrial investment, and workforce needs.

Gonzales rejected a proposed economic development district intended to attract a BJ’s Wholesale Club, citing concerns about the supporting agreement.

Massachusetts

Alison J. Gulubicki became Haverhill’s economic development director.

Michigan

Michigan LEO, led by Susan Corbin, expanded college credit for registered apprentices through a new community college agreement.

Grand Rapids’ Sarah Rainero seeks a developer for 6.43 riverfront acres, beginning a year of due diligence, planning, and community input.

Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance’s Jeff Ratcliffe outlined Calumet’s historic redevelopment plans, creating seven apartments and three commercial spaces with state support.

Michigan Works! helped the state reach an 84% credential attainment rate for adults using workforce programs, ranking third nationally.

Minnesota

St. Cloud EDA, led by Cathy Mehelich, delayed choosing a redevelopment partner to interview two developers proposing housing near Lake George.

Minneapolis Fed promoted Vanessa Palmer to lead community development data work, including research supporting Indian Country.

Mississippi

Mississippi Export Railroad’s Kate Bourgeois hosted a Gulf Coast economic rail tour, showing federal officials how rail links support industry and jobs.

New Jersey

New Jersey lawmakers advanced a downtown growth bill, directing NJEDA to offer tax credits, loans, and business support in eligible small towns.

New York

Orange County Partnership honored three economic development leaders: Maria Bruni, Valerie Maginsky, and Cherisse Vickers.

Madison County IDA invites public input on a new economic strategy at open houses October 20–21.

North Carolina

Martin County EDC’s Steve Biggs retired September 30 after extending his tenure by three months.

Siri Emereje will lead Granville County’s tourism efforts starting October 26 under the Granville County Economic Development Office.

Hefner Reels plans a $1.3 million equipment investment, backed by an Alexander County grant and discussions with Michael Worley.

Ohio

Chillicothe Ross Chamber’s Mike Throne launched a regional job board with more than 1,600 openings from over 500 employers.

Oklahoma

Bill Murphy of the Ardmore Chamber explains Ardmore’s entry into the Rural Innovation Network, supporting startups and young talent.

Oregon

DawnMarie Buckland was selected to lead Medford’s economic development and urban renewal work, pending council approval.

Pennsylvania

GSK plans an over $800 million Montgomery County expansion, expected to create more than 300 jobs with Pennsylvania DCED’s support.

Pennsylvania DCED’s Rick Siger announced Lansdowne’s Main Street Matters designation, recognizing the borough’s downtown development efforts.

South Carolina

West Columbia’s BJ Unthank outlines downtown revitalization and business-friendly permitting, highlighting infrastructure upgrades and stronger partnerships.

South Dakota

South Dakota’s economic development board approved research and wind-project incentives, supporting OmegaQuant’s medical testing research and Philip Wind Partners’ energy facility.

Tennessee

Carter County and Elizabethton funded a full-time economic developer position to strengthen business recruitment, retention, and tourism.

Texas

Decatur EDC’s Matt Runnels and Bridgeport EDC’s Leah Clark outline Wise County’s growth priorities, including workforce training, infrastructure, and local businesses.

Taylor approved an economic development agreement for a 660-acre data center campus, including annexation into the city.

Richard Sifuentes and Matthew Jackson use paid internships to build business-advising skills at UT San Antonio SBDC and SBDCNet.

Grow College Station’s Brian Piscacek seeks public input on business attraction through a survey open until November 30.

Bill Cork will become president and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Council on November 1.

Blue Origin selected Hutto for a $650 million manufacturing facility expected to create up to 2,000 jobs, supported by Hutto EDC.

United States

OHM Advisors’ Jon Kramer argues infrastructure readiness drives economic growth, calling for early water, transportation, and utility investment.

Technical.ly examines why business tax incentives often fall short and argues for more support for homegrown entrepreneurs.

Vermont

BDCC’s Adam Grinold and VEDA’s Joan Goldstein highlighted financing that supports 35 Cotton Mill businesses and more than 220 jobs.

Virginia

Loudoun Economic Development’s Buddy Rizer outlined growth plans around Metro stations, manufacturing, and flexible industrial space.

Beck Creek Energy is undergoing feasibility reviews for an advanced nuclear facility in Amherst County, with public meetings planned.

Washington

The City of Tumwater seeks public input on its economic development plan through November 15, covering jobs, affordability, and brewery-site redevelopment.

Seattle named an 18-member economic task force to attract businesses, support entrepreneurs, and diversify the city’s economy.

Clallam EDC selected Caleb McMahon to lead the organization starting January 1.

West Virginia

The U.S. Small Business Administration awarded funding for nine West Virginia projects, including business incubators, workforce training, and child care.

Wisconsin

USDA Rural Development awarded $1.024 million for 11 rural business projects across Wisconsin, supporting training, business assistance, and financing.