Several reports have been developed to summarize programs, policies and events that highlight state economic development activity:
Success! Building State-EDD Strategic Alignment through the CREC Policy Academy
At the completion of the nine-month CREC Policy Academy, teams reflect on lessons learned to align state and local economic development strategies and build sustained economic benefits.
Meeting of the Minds: States and EDDs Discuss the EDA Statewide Planning Grants
CREC hosted a convening of Statewide Planning Grant grantees to not only share research findings, but to provide an opportunity for state and Economic Development District leaders to discuss project activities, roadblocks, and state-EDD alignment.
Bolstering Apprenticeships in the US: Lessons from Germany
From October 15 – 21, 2023, nine representatives of the SEDE network visited Bonn, Cologne, and Stuttgart to learn about Germany’s dual education and training (Dual VET) system, aiming to expand apprenticeship in the US. During the visit, the delegation met with German economic development professionals, government officials, employer associations, unions, vocational schools, training centers, and manufacturers. This visit allowed the delegation to gain firsthand insights into Dual VET system, its policies and funding mechanisms, and which social partners were involved.
Empowering Economic Development
Halfway through the CREC Policy Academy, teams from six states are making progress toward aligning state and regional activities and creating long-term sustainability.
How states can help the CHIPS Act succeed
In a recent Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) webinar, representatives from Arizona, New York, and Texas highlighted the role states play in fostering the growth of the semiconductor industry.
Building From a Strong Foundation
Much like in a building, a strong foundation serves as an important base for structural change. Indeed, a sturdy foundation provides the support necessary to withstand powerful challenges and allow for process transformation and organizational growth.
SSBCI – Rebuilding Manufacturing Through Access to Capital
A new report, The State Small Business Credit Initiative and Rebuilding the U.S. Manufacturing Base, discusses the sector’s revival and the importance of SSBCI in supporting its growth. CREC contributed to this report and this blog highlights some of the report’s key findings.
And…We’re Off! The Policy Academy to Strengthen State and Local Strategic Alignment Kicks Off
After more than a year of research, education, and limited technical assistance to support the Economic Development Administration, CREC is excited to announce six state teams that will participate together in the 2023 policy academy, Aligning State and Regional Economic Development Strategies and Actions.
Showing Impact: Reporting on Federal Funds for Community Development
Funding associated with federal recovery and investment initiatives has provided unprecedented resources to states and communities. These initiatives are expected to create benefits for people and places across the country. How will these benefits be measured? What metrics will state and local governments use to determine program effectiveness?
Compliance Data Drives Smart Incentive Programs
Incentives are part of a process, not just a point in time transaction. We can use data and analytical techniques throughout the process to make sure we are using incentives effectively and responsibly. Compliance is one of the four key elements of the incentive process in our 4×4 framework.
Strengthening Partnerships: Improving the Alignment Between States and Economic Development Districts
The 2022 National Association of Development Organization’s (NADO) Annual Training Conference held in Pittsburgh offered more than 400 attendees a strong training agenda including sessions to help economic development districts (EDDs) enhance their relationship and collaboration with state economic development partners. The Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC) convened a Technical Assistance (TA) Learning Lab, a panel workshop and one-on-one TA sessions with several EDDs all aimed at helping EDDs work with their state partners.
SIDO Promotes International Engagement and Integration to County Leaders
Andy Karellas, the Executive Director of the State International Development Organizations (SIDO), moderated a panel on how county leaders can engage in international economic development at the 2022 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado. The commissioners shared best practices on how they promote international engagement, including promoting U.S. exports, attracting foreign direct investment, and further integrating international trade into their county and region’s broader economic development strategy.
State Incentive Program General Trends
With the conclusion of the State Business Incentives Database summer update, the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) will be publishing a series of blog posts. This inaugural post focuses on general trends and how programs have shifted over the past year. Of particular interest are the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it continues to shape program type and focus.
EDA’s $1 Million Statewide Planning Grants: How Did the States Use It?
Through the American Rescue Plan (ARPA), the Economic Development Administration (EDA) is supporting states in economic planning efforts by allocating $59 million in grants through the Statewide Planning, Research & Networks program. To better understand how states are using these funds, the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC), in partnership with the State Economic Development Executives (SEDE) Network, conducted a survey of states during the summer of 2022 to learn how the $1 million grant funds were used.
DEI in Manufacturing
America’s strength and sustainable development in the 21st Century depends upon a thriving manufacturing sector. That means we need far more progress aligning efforts to include those between states and Economic Development Districts. Stakeholders gathered on March 30, 2022, to focus on the importance of DEI in manufacturing ownership and its workforce.
New Findings on Remote Worker Attraction Programs & Lessons for Communities Striving to Attract Remote Workers
Remote worker attraction programs represent an exciting innovation for state and local economic development. Recent studies examined two of the longest-standing remote worker attraction programs: the Vermont New Remote Workers Grant Program and Tulsa Remote. Panelists at a recent roundtable shared their findings on the effectiveness of worker attraction incentives.
State Trade Directors Discuss Coordinating Economic Development Strategies with Regional Partners
On March 15-17, the State International Development Organizations (SIDO) held their Washington Leadership Forum where over 40 state international trade directors convened for high level meetings with key federal officials. The session centered around our current project with the Economic Development Administration (EDA) focused on enhancing state and local EDO engagement to support Covid-19 recovery and resiliency.
Highlighting Opportunities for States and Economic Development Districts (EDDs) to Better Align Economic Development Planning Strategies
At the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Policy Conference in March, the EDA, CREC, and Economic Development Districts (EDDs) from Arkansas and New Mexico discussed approaches to improved collaboration with state governments.
How States are Using EDA Statewide Planning and Tourism Grants
The State Economic Development Executives (SEDE) network is interested in learning more about how states would be spending the $59 million in the non-competitive State Planning Grants and $510 million in the non-competitive State Tourism Grants. The Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness conducted two surveys to learn state plans for each of the two grants.
Learning Local Perspectives on State and EDD Alignment
At the October 2021 NADO Annual Training Conference, Bob Isaacson from the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC) had the opportunity to discuss state and local EDD alignment and collaboration with about 23 individuals (generally representing EDDs).