Reports

The AI goldrush roars on. Hyperscalers like Google and artificial intelligence (AI) upstarts like OpenAI continue to pour massive sums into building gargantuan data centers, often in small- and medium-sized communities. As the deals proliferate, concerns are rising about the huge amounts of electricity and water required to keep the centers running. At the same […]

The Workforce Pell Grant launches July 1, 2026, giving states a formal role in federal student aid for the first time. States will identify and approve eligible short-term training programs (8-14 weeks, 150-599 clock hours) based on federal criteria: programs must prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand jobs, confer stackable credentials toward degrees, and […]

During a February 6, 2026 AMCC call, Dr. Deborah Stine provided an excellent discussion on data centers and advanced manufacturing. To view the presentation recording (her presentation begins at the 11:30 mark) and slides, click here. The American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative (AMCC) is designed to create and strengthen an alliance of communities with regional economic […]

Congress enacted the One Big Beautiful Act (OBBA) in July 2025 with clear implications for how states drive growth, competitiveness, and return on public investment. The law amends education and tax policy, but its effects extend well beyond those domains. OBBA tightens the connection between federal resources and state-defined economic outcomes. It places states at […]

From The Ribbon Cut Podcast: Public economic data systems are being stretched thinner at the same time local decision-making depends on them more than ever. In this episode of The Ribbon Cut, Susan and Charles are joined by Ken Poole to explain what’s happening behind the scenes at federal data agencies, and why staffing cuts, […]

Implications for States Overview The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 codified a major proposed change in how the federal government[BI1]  supports workforce training. For the first time, Congress expanded Pell Grant eligibility to include funding for short-term, career-focused programs designed to meet immediate industry needs. Beginning in July 2026, Pell Grants can support […]

Economic development succeeds when regions align talent, infrastructure, and employer demand. Access to quality, affordable childcare is a form of economic infrastructure that directly shapes labor force participation, business productivity, and regional competitiveness. National research consistently shows that inadequate access to childcare suppresses workforce participation and slows economic growth. Estimates place the annual cost to […]

States are at a critical inflection point. Significant federal resources have flowed to communities, creating real opportunity to strengthen housing supply, modernize infrastructure, improve water systems, and drive regional growth. These investments also exposed a clear challenge. As AmericaFWD’s State of Play (released December 2025) makes clear, the systems used to plan, fund, and deliver […]

American manufacturing employment has been on the decline since the late 1970s. Offshoring—moving production overseas to lower costs—together with productivity and technological improvements like artificial intelligence and automation, have contributed to a significant downturn in manufacturing employment in the US.[1] As such, more states have shifted their focus from traditional industries, like manufacturing, to innovation-driven […]

As we wrap up the C2ER State Business Incentives update, we’re looking at nationwide trends. What kinds of programs are states launching? What challenges are they trying to solve? Where do we see the most activity? This blog explores how new and evolving incentives are shaping state economic development strategies. Program Numbers and Focus Although […]

Housing, it’s everywhere in the news: the lack of it, the demand for it, and the high price Americans are paying to get it. And it’s no wonder; the median price of a home has increased by 88% since 2008, with prices rising by 24% in just the last five years. Even in traditionally affordable […]

By now, you probably have heard the good news – EDA reauthorization made it through both houses of Congress as part of the Water Resources Development Act! This reauthorization was 20 years in the making and will help transform EDA into a more modern-day economic development. As we look to the future, state leaders, economic […]

Who wouldn’t want to make economic development initiatives better and faster? A.I. has the potential to radically economic development across the board. A.I. understandably raises important questions about the future of work, productivity, and—specifically for the State Economic Development Executives (SEDE) Network—their potential impact on the field of economic development. And for good reason, experts […]

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.

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.

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.

Halfway through the CREC Policy Academy, teams from six states are making progress toward aligning state and regional activities and creating long-term sustainability.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).