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. According to the state economic development leaders, longstanding state efforts to attract and expand semiconductor facilities are an important enabler for the federal CHIPS Act, which […]

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.

Manufacturing has long been a staple of America’s economic engine even with recent employment declines. Today, the sector is seeing a strong resurgence due to private investment in new industries and products, public investment in R&D and business development assistance, and credit support through such programs as the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). A […]

In every project there are opportunities for research and education. Both are useful and provide a fundamental baseline for understanding an issue and sharing information. But nothing beats one-on-one technical assistance where you work closely with organizations as they strive to improve service to customers and stakeholders. The Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC) Policy […]

by Ellen D. Harpel | Dec 4, 2022 | 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? The Center […]

by Ellen D. Harpel 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. It is an […]

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 […]

On July 21, 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 annual conference is the largest meeting of county officials from across the country, […]

This article was written by John Ponder White, Economic Development Research Intern, Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness. It first appeared on the Council for Community and Economic Research blog. 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. These […]

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 […]

Briefing On Integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion into 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.  More coordinated capacity to advance manufacturing helps the sector be 1) more economically […]

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.  More coordinated capacity to advance manufacturing helps the sector be 1) more economically competitive making solution oriented products, 2) in a environmentally […]

Report from the April 5, 2022, SEDE Network Incentives Roundtable 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 […]

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 […]

March 2022 Project Presentation at NADO’s Washington Policy Conference: 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 […]

How States are Using EDA Planning and Tourism Grants Hockey sticks. Good for handling pucks but also for describing rapid revenue growth. Under the American Rescue Plan, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) was allocated $3 billion in supplemental funding to assist communities recover from the coronavirus pandemic and build local economies that will be […]

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). The discussion was fueled by a live survey; the survey results and subsequent discussion are below: Survey Results […]