News & Resources
SEDE Spring Meeting: What’s on the Minds of State Economic Development Leaders? (SEDE) The State Economic Development Executives Network (SEDE) recently gathered near the SelectUSA Investment Summit for a half-day meeting of state economic development leaders from across the country. The conversation covered a lot of ground — and reflected just how much the landscape has shifted for states trying to attract investment, develop talent, and make the case for what they do. Key focus areas included energy, water resources, and workforce development. Discussions around how state strategies are being reassessed was also a major topic. The next meeting will be held this fall in Denver, Colorado.
June 9: Webinar – Navigating the Mechanics of State Employment Data (SEDE) For state economic development leaders, employment data is more than just a statistic—it is the foundation for policy, investment, and strategic planning. However, the transition from initial monthly estimates to final benchmarked data often introduces shifts that can impact regional narratives and economic forecasting. Join the SEDE Network for a briefing designed to pull back the curtain on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data lifecycle, featuring Julie Hatch from BLS and Mark McInerney from the Maine Department of Labor. Join us on June 9, at 2:00PM ET. Register here.
Block Your Calendar: Colorado Hosts Fall SEDE Meeting – 10/15 – 16 (SEDE) The State Economic Development Executives (SEDE) Network is holding its fall meeting for state economic development executives or their top deputy in Denver, Colorado. Eve Lieberman, Executive Director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade, is excited to bring SEDE executives to the Mile High City on October 15th and 16th. More information will be available in the coming weeks.
Department of Commerce Announces $25M Notice of Funding Opportunity to Upskill American Workers in AI (EDA) The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced $25 million in funding as part of a new AI Upskill Accelerator Pilot Program. This initiative will support the design and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) workforce training, helping to train workers and grow industries that are integral to regional economies. EDA encourages applications from eligible entities seeking to implement industry-led workforce programs that use sectoral partnerships to deliver measurable results for American workers and businesses.
2026 SelectUSA Investment Summit Catalyzed Over $56B in Investment Commitments and Plans (ITA) The U.S. Department of Commerce hosted the 2026 SelectUSA Investment Summit, and it was the largest in its history. Held May 3-6 in National Habor, Maryland, the Investment Summit welcomed over 5,500 attendees from a record 100+ international markets and included over 1,100 economic developers representing all 55 U.S. states and territories. This year’s Investment Summit catalyzed more than $56 billion in new and planned investment commitments, including a record $2.5 billion in announcements made during the Summit and tens of billions more in ongoing and planned investments from key international partners.
New Resources: State Intel Briefs, Defense Industry Reports, and Issue Briefs (Manufacturing Momentum) CREC’s Manufacturing Momentum network has published numerous resources on defense manufacturing relevant to state leaders:
- State Intelligence Briefs: These briefs were developed to support the DoD Manufacturing Innovation Institutes’ (MIIs) strategy, regional partnership, and defense industrial base engagement. The state level information, investment detail, and actionable recommendations are useful for planning and partnership. Thus far, briefs are published for 13 states – with 17 more to come in the coming weeks and another 20 in the coming months.
- Biomanufacturing Talent for U.S. National Security & Economic Competitiveness: This workforce report examines the landscape for U.S. biomanufacturing, a DoD Critical Technology Area essential to domestic production of biofuels, bio-based materials, and other defense-critical capabilities.
- Electronics Talent for U.S. National Security & Economic Competitiveness: This industry report analyzes the workforce underpinning U.S. electronics and semiconductor manufacturing—a sector critical to defense systems ranging from precision munitions and unmanned vehicles to submarine sonar and photonics-enabled targeting.
- Defense Manufacturing Issue Briefs: This series of 3 briefs are designed to inform local and state government officials, workforce professionals, and manufacturers about important issues that impact their local economy and workforce training.
State Leader Spotlight
Quentin Messer, Jr., Chief Executive & Economic Competitiveness Officer, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
As MEDC CEO and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund, Quentin is charged with implementing and executing MEDC’s core mission of business development and attraction, community development, providing access to capital and enhancing Michigan’s image and brand with a focus on building a strong and equitable economy for all Michiganders. Quentin is a member of Governor Gretchen E. Whitmer’s cabinet and serves on the boards of the American Center for Mobility, Michigan Israel Business Accelerator, International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute (OU EDI) and is a member of the Michigan Council on Climate Solutions.
Immediately prior to joining MEDC, Quentin was President & CEO at the New Orleans Business Alliance and also previously served as the Assistant Secretary for Louisiana Economic Development, (LED) Louisiana’s department of economic development. Quentin is an alumnus of the Boston Consulting Group and O’Melveny & Myers LLP and a degree recipient from Princeton and Columbia Universities.
Across the States: Developments to Know
Purdue Regional Clusters (Purdue Center for Regional Development) The global economy is moving away from simply production to value-added production and specialized services, to contribute to the knowledge economy. Data and metrics are needed to understand competitive industry clusters, and skills and knowledge present in the labor force. The Regional Clusters dashboards designed by Purdue with support from EDA provides a framework to understand the regional economic competitiveness in industries and occupations.
Alabama’s Playbook for Jobs, Growth, and Economic Opportunity (McKinsey) In this interview, Ellen McNair, the Secretary of Commerce for Alabama, discusses the state’s CatALyst economic development strategy and the value of strong partnerships in driving investment and inclusive growth. McNair discusses McNair her vision for inclusive economic growth, the role of state-level leadership in expanding opportunity, and the positive impact of development on Alabamians. One highlight is the discussion on the state’s Economic Development Fund, which will be implemented in 2026 and is expected to significantly increase the agency’s economic development funding.
Rhode Island’s First Life Sciences Startup Incubator Opens (Brown University) In May, Ocean State Labs, the state’s first life sciences incubator opened. The incubator will provide early-stage biotechnology and medical companies with laboratory space, infrastructure and operational support as they grow and bring scientific discoveries to the marketplace. Ocean State Labs is led by the Rhode Island Life Sciences Hub in partnership with the State of Rhode Island, the I-195 Redevelopment District, Brown and L&G Asset Management America.