Economic Development and Developers in the News # 150
Econ dev news from 95 economic development executives and organizations in 24 states.
Welcome to the 150th weekly edition of Economic Development and Developers in the News.
Today's issue contains news from 95 economic development executives and organizations in 24 states.
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The Econ Dev Show is a podcast, weekday email newsletter, and blog of actionable strategies, fresh news, insights, and ideas from the economic development community and your host, Dane Carlson. The Econ Dev Show is brought to you by Sitehunt.
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Alabama
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP has hired Alex Patrick, a highly experienced economic developer, as a senior advisor for the firm’s Economic Development and Renewable Energy Practice Group.
Arizona
Graduate student Armando Esparza has been appointed as Economic Development and Government Relations Director for San Luis.
Arkansas
The University of Arkansas gave a comprehensive campus tour and presented its various economic development initiatives to the Leadership Arkansas class of Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.
The Newport Economic Development Commission and Entergy Arkansas have successfully recertified the Newport Airbase Industrial Park 76-acre Select Site, a move that shows preparedness for development and positions it globally as a world-class site. (Jon Chadwell)
The first draft of a master plan for the economic development and regeneration of downtown Little Rock suggests strategies such as attracting more residents, making better use of the Arkansas River’s location, and increasing business-friendliness in the area. (Kyle Leyenberger, Director of Communications for Downtown Little Rock Partnership)
California
The California Manufacturers & Technology Association has entered into a first-of-its-kind collaboration with the City of Fremont’s Economic Development Department to increase the city’s visibility and support its vast manufacturing sector. (Lance Hastings, CEO & President of CMTA; Donovan Lazaro, Economic Development Director for the City of Fremont)
Colorado
The Northwest Douglas County Chamber and EDC and the Douglas County Economic Development Collaborative have merged, forming the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation with a renewed focus on attracting industries such as aerospace, healthcare, finance, transportation, and clean technology. (Ellie Reynolds, President/CEO of the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation)
Georgia
At the North Fulton Futures Summit, industry experts and leaders highlighted the region’s economic development challenges and opportunities, focusing particularly on housing availability, strategies for returning to office work, and workforce talent development. (Industry experts, business leaders, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce)
Illinois
After two decades of pivotal service, Dr. Frank Beck steps down from his role as the Director of the Stevenson Center for Community and Economic Development to return to a faculty role in Sociology and Anthropology, leaving behind a legacy of substantial academic expansion, vast student engagement, and over $10 million in external grants.
Indiana
Indiana University Northwest’s School of Business and Economics launched the Economic Development Academy, a seven-week training program focusing on regional economic development via physical and online activities, including contemporary research, case studies, seminar discussions, and guest speakers.
Indraneel Kumar, long-standing associate director of the Purdue Center for Regional Development, is to take over as director.
Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation has appointed Margaret “Peggy” Friday as the new CEO to spearhead the community’s economic growth initiatives.
Evansville Regional Economic Partnership is participating in the 2024 Economic Development Week. (Chief Economic Development Officer Josh Armstrong)
Kentucky
REDI Cincinnati and BE NKY Growth Partnership are celebrating a decade of recognition for the Cincinnati region through the annual Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development presented by Site Selection magazine.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear anticipates increased business investments in the state following his economic development trip to Germany and Switzerland, where he met with executives from companies already operating in Kentucky and from others interested in expanding into the U.S.
Louisiana
A controversial bill granting confidentiality for economic development efforts was deferred by a unanimous committee to address transparency concerns voiced by critics like the Public Affairs Research Council and Louisiana Press Association.
The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission is participating in Economic Development Week.
The St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce is organizing a State of Economic Development Breakfast on May 8, featuring discussions led by key economic figures, aimed at continuing the growth of the parish and state. (Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bonnett Bourgeois; St. Tammany Corporation CEO Chris Masingill)
Maryland
Colin Tarbert, President and CEO of The Baltimore Development Corporation, has been recognized as a Certified Economic Developer by The International Economic Development Council.
Massachusetts
The City of Framingham is seeking seven people to form the state-backed Framingham Economic Development Corporation, aiming to revitalize the city’s economy through public-private partnerships, management of underdeveloped areas, granting of housing or economic assistance, and other activities.
Michigan
Jono Klooster, interim economic development director for the city of Grand Rapids, is set to step down this summer, marking the city’s third leadership change within the department for the past year. (Jeremiah Gracia, Former Economic Development Director.
Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi professors helped Topgolf, a unique recreational venue, establish its first facility in Mississippi, as part of a community project involving multiple USM programs and supported by data analysis about population patterns and visitor impact. (USM professors: Dr. Wei Wang, Dr. Chris Croft; Brian Henson; Mississippi Development Authority; Topgolf Real Estate Development Director Todd Waldo)
The City of Jackson’s “Economic Development Week” was initiated with a breakfast event, featuring a series of planned events aimed at promoting growth and networking opportunities in the region while emphasizing that economic development is not just about financial gain but changing the quality of life. (Jackson Redevelopment Authority, Hinds County Economic Development Authority, Visit Jackson)
New Jersey
Governor Phil Murphy announced the establishment of a Fintech Accelerator known as NJ FAST in Hoboken, in collaboration with New Jersey Economic Development Authority and Silicon Valley-based firm Plug and Play, which aims to promote research, development, and innovation in the Fintech and Insuretech sectors.
New York
The New York City Economic Development Corporation announced that its Executive Committee has approved the first two investments of the NYC Catalyst Fund, providing up to $4 million to Harlem Capital and up to $7 million to Maycomb Capital.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the start of Mohawk Valley Empowers, a $10 million three-year program aiming to enhance the region’s workforce by increasing participation and expanding services. This initiative is a collaborative effort with six counties, nine colleges, BOCES, various industry experts, and 22 non-profit groups.
North Carolina
The City of Fayetteville’s Economic and Community Development Department and Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation are set to host an open house event, aiming to showcase their collaborative efforts in building a vibrant local economy, with emphasis on inclusion and sustainability. (Chris Cauley Economic and Community Development Director for the City of Fayetteville; Robert Van Geons President & CEO of the FCEDC)
