Economic Development
Wayne Economic Development Council Continuing Positive Momentum
The success of the Wayne Economic Development Council did not come by accident, but by establishing a vision, following a strategic plan, making tough decisions, engaging the public and private sectors and doing the work. To keep the momentum moving…
Transform Tompkins Raises $1.7 Million
Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD) announced that their “Transform Tompkins” investment campaign exceeded its goal, raising more than $1.7 million. “The financial support by the business community in economic development in Tompkins County will yield meaningful and long term benefits…
Public Sector Funding: Pros & Cons For Economic Developers
By Jim Hizer I always enjoy attending the International Economic Development Council annual meeting and last month’s gathering in Ft. Worth was no exception. I believe I have attended 22 or 23 of these meetings over the years…
A Fundraiser’s Favorite Insights From The #IEDC 2014 Conference
By Samantha Hardwick There are a ton of great sessions at the International Economic Development Council’s Annual Conference every year; too many for one person to attend them all. Thanks to Twitter, conference attendees are now able to share insights…
The Role of Data vs. Storytelling: Insights from the 2014 IEDC Annual Conference
Throughout the 2014 International Economic Development Council’s Annual Conference, there were two major themes that seemed to emerge from session to session: the importance of data: collecting it, understanding it, and communicating it; and the importance of community “intangibles” that…
Funding Workforce Development — A Top Priority For Business Leaders
By Samantha Hardwick Today, in communities of all sizes throughout the country, companies are struggling to attract qualified workers despite high local unemployment rates. The biggest trend we are seeing right now is surging investor demand for workforce development programs.…
Top Takeaways From The 2014 Southern Economic Development Council Annual Conference
We had a great time in Memphis, TN at the Southern Economic Development Council Annual Conference and hope you did as well! There were plenty of great sessions to attend, covering topics ranging from railroads and ports…
Special Events As Part Of a Fundraising Plan: What’s Their True Purpose?
The true purpose of a special event is sometimes lost in the flurry of planning activity. When I recently attended the Triad Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ (AFP) monthly meeting in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this.…
Fundraising FAQS From Mid-American Economic Developers
Recently I had the opportunity to present at the Tennessee Economic Development Council’s Spring Conference. I was asked to speak about current trends that I am seeing in Economic Development Organization (EDO) funding…
Trends In Economic Development Funding
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) recently released a study titled “Raising the Bar Together: Successful Strategies for Workforce and Economic Development Collaboration.” It is certainly worth a read for anyone involved with Chambers of Commerce or Economic Development Organizations.…
Long-Term Planning Leads To National Recognition For WEDC
Site Selection, the primary magazine for corporate real estate strategy and economic development, recently named Wooster, Ohio, as the Top Micropolitan Area in America (defined as non-urban community anchored by a town of no more than 50,000…
Buisness Retention and Expansion
More and more, Convergent is seeing that effective BRE makes EDO strategic plans more fundable for our clients. Our friends at Creative EDC wrote this insightful piece on the role BRE plays in economic development, including several…
Phelps County Development Corporation
Phelps County, Nebraska, a rural agricultural region located close to Interstate 80, is known for fantastic quality of life and for offering significant advantages to businesses looking for a convenient location and a qualified workforce.
Despite its many positive attributes, the region has historically dealt with “brain drain,” especially among many of the county’s young adults. To combat this, the Phelps County Development Corporation (PCDC), the county’s primary economic development engine, had a series of ideas to keep younger workers and families in the region and to recruit more well-paid manufacturing jobs.
Grant County (WA) Economic Development Council
For many nonprofit organizations, a good portion of operating revenue is often derived from a marquee annual event. The Grant County (WA) Economic Development Council was no different, depending on an annual golf tournament and gala to help meet the organization’s annual budget. While this event had traditionally been successful, there had been a steady downward trend in participation and investment. This led leadership of the Grant County Economic Development Council to begin questioning the future sustainability of one annual fundraiser… one which required a significant amount of staff time to execute successfully.