News & Resources
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. Register here and view the agenda here. Hotel information coming soon.
SEDE Webinar – Incentives Under the Microscope: Confronting Today’s Toughest Challenges (SEDE) Join the SEDE network on September 10th at 2:00PM EST for a webinar focused on today’s incentive environment. As incentive decisions grow more complex, state economic development agencies face growing questions about their incentive portfolios, including which programs are delivering results, how states should evaluate success, and how do leaders know when deploying an incentive is the right call. This session will include time for states to share their own approaches and engage in peer discussion — an opportunity to learn how colleagues are navigating similar challenges in their own incentive programs. Register here.
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act: What State Leaders Should Know (SEDE) Housing has evolved from a quality-of-life issue to a core economic development challenge. State leaders underscored this reality at SEDE’s fall meeting in New York, noting that companies are increasingly unwilling to commit to locations where their workforce cannot afford to live nearby. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act may offer part of the solution. This legislation passed both chambers with bipartisan support, has recently become law, and represents the most significant federal housing package since 1990. This blog summarizes the relevant provisions for state economic development agencies to be aware of, including housing support for middle-income workers, new grant funding and more.
Putting State Dollars to Work: How Governors’ Signature Investments Drive Workforce Transformation (The Project on Workforce) Governors occupy a distinct position in the American workforce development ecosystem, influencing how both federal and state workforce dollars are deployed. Many Governors are using state-funded workforce investments to address labor shortages, support economic development priorities, and strengthen education-to-employment pathways. This report examines Governors’ “signature workforce investments” across five states: North Dakota, Minnesota, Idaho, Massachusetts, and Wyoming. Drawing on interviews with 45 stakeholders spanning Governors’ offices, state agencies, workforce organizations, higher education institutions, and industry, the report explores how those initiatives were designed, funded, implemented, and adapted over time.
NSF Awards 12 New Regional Innovation Engines to Fuel Research, Jobs, and Economic Growth Nationwide (NSF) The U.S. National Science Foundation announced it awarded the newest NSF Regional Innovation Engines awards to 12 U.S. teams across 20 states. These NSF Engines will build and scale innovation clusters that aim to accelerate the development of critical technologies, prepare talent for emerging jobs and grow regional economies. Each team, led by a coalition of regional organizations, including universities, nonprofits and private industry, will initially receive an award of $15 million over two years. Teams that demonstrate progress on well-defined milestones will have the potential to eventually receive up to $160 million each from NSF over the next decade as they seek to build an internationally competitive technology and innovation cluster in their region. Awards range from critical minerals, grid modernization, biomanufacturing, and other key technologies.
States Enable, Regions Thrive: A State Playbook for Growing Good Jobs in the Next Economy (Brookings) As voters head to the polls in 2026 to elect 36 governors and thousands of state legislators, the economy remains their top concern. In this moment, the challenge is clear for governors and legislators: Modernize economic development systems to create the enabling conditions needed so that these forces grow good jobs and expand economic mobility, rather than deepen divides. Accomplishing this requires a structural shift. This playbook highlights five ways to modernize state economic development: define direction, make regions investable, align capital, learn and scale, and run as one team. Evidence from across the country, including efforts in Virginia, New York, and Indiana, shows that when states align their authority, funding, and strategy with empowered regional cross-sector coalitions, they can unlock levels of coordination, co-investment, and growth that fragmented systems simply cannot achieve.
State Leader Spotlight
Rick Siger, Secretary, PA Department of Community and Economic Development
Rick Siger leads the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED), driving innovation, business growth, and competitiveness across the Commonwealth. As Secretary, Rick and Governor Josh Shapiro launched Pennsylvania’s Ten-Year Economic Development Strategy, the state’s first long-term economic plan in nearly two decades, as well as the first-ever Pennsylvania Housing Action Plan. Under his leadership, DCED has rolled out major initiatives like PA SITES, which expands Pennsylvania’s inventory of shovel-ready sites, and Main Street Matters, an investment in downtowns and main streets. He has also worked to strengthen partnerships between state and local governments and the private sector, with collaborative efforts like the revitalization of downtown Pittsburgh securing nearly $600 million in public and private investment.
Previously, Rick served as Chief of Staff at Carnegie Mellon University and spent over seven years holding senior roles at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and U.S. Department of Commerce. A Pittsburgh native, he holds a B.A. in Political Science from Columbia University.
State Leaders on the Move
Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce
We’re pleased to share recent leadership changes across State Economic Development leaders. Join us in celebrating these transitions and welcoming new leaders to our community!
Outgoing Leader: Sebastián Negrón, Secretary
Negrónis a Puerto Rican attorney and public servant who served as the Secretary from 2025 to 2026. As Secretary, he has focused on promoting economic growth independent of federal funds and redefining the island’s economic priorities. Prior to his appointment, he held several key roles in both the public and private sectors, including serving as Chief of Staff for the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico.
Incoming Leader: Carlos J. Ríos-Pierluisi, Secretary
Ríos-Pierluisi brings several years of experience within Puerto Rico’s economic development agencies. His previous position was as executive director of the Roosevelt Roads Local Redevelopment Authority, where he oversees the redevelopment of the former naval base in Ceiba and related infrastructure, investment and public-private partnership initiatives. Before taking that post in December 2025, he served as DDEC deputy secretary and previously as deputy executive director of the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Co. In those roles, he worked on debt restructuring, technology modernization and industrial development initiatives.
Across the States: Developments to Know
How State-Level Partnerships Help Local Michigan Economies Grow and Prosper (Detroit Free Press) Recently announced business development projects in Detroit (R&D for 3D printed concrete homes), Troy (advanced EVs), and Fenton (nut milk extraction technology) will add 650 new jobs across three Southeast Michigan counties and are expected to bring more than $97 million in capital investment to local communities. Funding is tied to measurable outcomes, with businesses receiving support only after meeting agreed-upon performance milestones.
After World Cup, State Works to Lure FIFA Fans Back to Georgia (WSB-TV Atlanta) During Atlanta’s FIFA World Cup matches, Georgia’s Department of Economic Development hosted a reception for its “Georgia, the Whole Day Through” exhibit at the Georgia World Congress Center — a free, interactive experience that had run throughout the tournament showcasing the state’s food, art, music, and communities beyond Atlanta, from Savannah to Augusta to Lake Lanier. The state framed the roughly 70,000 World Cup tourists as a huge opportunity, drawing comparisons to how the 1996 Olympics boosted Georgia’s global profile, and got many of those visitors to sign up to return. The event hosted local businesses and representatives from communities across the state, showcasing what Georgia has to offer.
Arkansas Economic Development Commission Announces $12M in Funding (Arkansas Governor) Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, alongside the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, announced more than $12.52 million in funding for Arkansas cities, counties, and communities. The 88 grants were awarded from the Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) and State Rural Community Grant programs. State CDBG funds are utilized for a variety of public facility and infrastructure projects, including senior centers, childcare centers, public health facilities, youth centers, flood control and drainage projects, as well as economic development grants. The Rural Services Block Grant program funds new construction or renovation of community centers, fire stations, or multi-purpose buildings, while the Rural Community Grant Program is used to fund projects such as fire trucks, fire protection equipment, community centers, storm sirens, community parks, and walking trails.