Economic Development and Developers in the News #95

Good morning and welcome to the 95th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News.

Today's issue contains news from 93 economic development executives and organizations in 24 states and Canada.

If this is your first time reading: Welcome!

As always, if you want to submit something, or if you spot an error, please email me.

Alabama

Capital investment in Alabama topped $9 billion and likely set a record in 2022. (Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield; Greg Barker, President, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama)

Chad Odom, who has served as The Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance executive director for more than two years, recently stepped down from the position.

Arizona

Micah Miranda, Economic Development Director at City of Chandler, and Chris Camacho, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, briefed the Chandler city council on the state of economic development in the city and region.

California

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to invest nearly $1.5 million to support entrepreneurs and job seekers by creating the North Fair Oaks Economic Advancement Center. In addition, the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center will provide services to local small businesses and entrepreneurs, courtesy of a $500,000 grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

Roseville is prepared to develop a mixed-use development project- two hotels, three restaurants, an entertainment and sports complex, outdoor gathering space, and a craft brewery. The project was approved by Roseville City Council in 2021, and Economic Development Manager Wayne Wiley expects Electric Pickle to be completed by Summer of 2024.

The Pasadena Economic Development Division on Tuesday, January 31, gave updates as to the recent economic activities that have been occurring in Pasadena. At the meeting, Economic Development Director David Klug presented the city’s business outreach numbers.

Bill Emmerson and Gil Garcetti, members of an independent oversight agency called The Little Hoover Commission, wrote a commentary summarizing California's economic disparities and state's investment in the Community Economic Resilience Fund to support regional collaboration and inclusive economic development. They recommended the state prioritize historically disadvantaged regions to ensure that programs are equally distributed.