SEDE Hosts Meeting for Top Executives (SEDE) The State Economic Development Executives (SEDE) Network is holding its summer meeting for state economic development executives or their top deputy in Washington, DC on May 12^th in conjunction with SelectUSA activities. Leaders are encouraged to attend SelectUSA and take time to stop over for this afternoon SEDE meeting which will be just two blocks from the Investment Summit. The agenda includes discussions of current issues facing states including the changing federal landscape. Much of the meeting will be dedicated to opportunities for networking among the state economic development commissioners, secretaries and executive directors or their top deputy. Leaders or their deputy can offer input on the agenda and register here.

SEDE Steering Committee Member Spotlight: Sophorn Cheang, Director, Business Oregon

Sophorn Cheang took the reins as Director of Business Oregon in March 2021. Prior to that, Cheang served as the Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Governor Kate Brown since 2018. In this role she oversaw the development of state business policies to eliminate bias and barriers and provided economic opportunities for all Oregon businesses through equity practices in state procurement and community economic development. Cheang also co-coordinated the Governor’s Racial Justice Council.

Prior to her work with the Governor’s Office, Cheang served as Senior Community Development Manager and Director of the Asian Family Center for the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization, where she developed and directed culturally specific programs and services for immigrants and refugees; mobilized diverse community leaders across the state to address social and racial injustices; and performed other strategic planning and advocacy work. Cheang has an MBA from Willamette University and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Portland State University.

Lawmakers Demand Funding for Manufacturing Centers to Be Restored (Advanced Manufacturing.org) Lawmakers are calling for the restoration of funding to Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers. The Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has reportedly told lawmakers in April that it will not fund the manufacturing consulting service centers in 10 states, and others across the country seem likely to face similar cuts. A group of U.S. senators note that small manufacturers depend on the MEPs for the latest help with the technologies and workforce training, and more than 80 U.S. representatives sent a letter stating that since their inception MEP centers have worked with more than 150,000 manufacturers and helped create and retain some 1.6 million jobs. There are 51 MEP centers across all states and Puerto Rico. The 10 states where funding has been withheld are Wyoming, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico and North Dakota.

Bulletin Note: On April 15th, NIST decided to renew the funding for these 10 centers through the end of the fiscal year as NIST and the Department of Commerce continue to evaluate plans for the program. Although this temporary reprieve is positive, it does not ensure the program will continue.

Massachusetts Tariff Response and Business Operations Support Initiative (MA Center for Advanced Manufacturing) The Massachusetts Tariff Response and Business Operations Support Initiative (MA TRBO) has been established in response to the ongoing uncertainty and rapid changes surrounding U.S. federal tariffs, which continue to impact manufacturers across industries. As businesses face rising costs, supply chain disruptions and sourcing challenges, MA TRBO aims to align state support and resources to help manufacturers navigate these dynamic conditions and adapt as necessary. The goal is to strengthen the resilience of local manufacturers through informed planning, strategic connections and responsive assistance.

WA State Dept. of Commerce Launches Online Tariff Information and Resource Guide (WA Commerce) The Washington State Department of Commerce launched an online Tariff Information and Resource Guide in response to questions and confusion around recently implemented federal tariffs. The new resource includes export-related support from across communities and at the state and federal levels. The site will include information about tariffs and the rates imposed on different countries, strategies to support business owners dealing with the tariffs, training and support, and other resources and events. The goal is a one-stop shop to support businesses in Washington.

*Economy 💰*

What Region Looks Most Like the U.S. as a Whole? (Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago) The United States is a diverse country, and some places are growing quickly, others, slowly. The U.S. is also a large country, with regions that themselves are the size of some countries. While these regions all share in major U.S. trends like recessions and an aging population, some regions track national trends more closely than others. This article compares the four major U.S. regions – Northeast, Midwest, South, and West – across a wide range of economic, population, and environmental characteristics. For the characteristics the author examined, overall, the South is most representative of the nation as a whole, followed by the Midwest and then the Northeast and West.

U.S. Economy Expected to Stall as Policy Changes Weigh on Growth (PIIE) The US economy is expected to slow sharply this year, as new tariffs and other American policy shifts dampen activity and fuel high global uncertainty. Average annualized growth is projected to step down from 2.5 percent in 2024 to just 0.1 percent in 2025, with the probability of a recession over the next 12 months at 40 percent. The tariffs are raising prices, disrupting supply chains, and eroding real incomes. There is also uncertainty fueled by federal government layoffs and operational disruptions.

*Trade 📈*

The Fiscal, Economic, and Distributional Effects of All U.S. Tariffs Enacted in 2025 (Yale Budget Lab) On April 2, the White House announced its long-awaited comprehensive tariff policy, comprising a 10% minimum tariff on countries outside Canada and Mexico, with special higher rates for roughly 60 countries. This analysis presents the fiscal and economic effects of both 1) the April 2nd policy, without considering the other tariffs that have gone into effect so far this year or international retaliation; and, 2) all US tariffs that have gone into effect in 2025, including the April 2nd policy, as well as incorporating the effects of all international retaliation implemented as of publication. All of Budget Lab’s analysis may be adjusted moving forward with more detail from the Administration on implementation.

USTR Releases 2025 National Trade Estimate Report (U.S. Trade Representative) The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) submitted the 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE). The NTE is an annual report detailing foreign trade barriers faced by U.S. exporters and USTR’s efforts to reduce those barriers. This report discusses the largest export markets for the United States, covering nearly 60 trading partners. Wherever possible, this report presents estimates of the impact on U.S. exports, U.S. foreign direct investment, or U.S. electronic commerce of specific foreign trade barriers and other trade practices. To read the 2025 NTE, click here.

OECD Trade Facilitation Indicators (OECD) This publication provides an overview of the efforts made to expedite the movement, release, and clearance of goods at the border in 163 economies. Progress on trade facilitation – as measured by the OECD Trade Facilitation Indicators (TFIs) – is occurring in all regions as countries seek to ensure that global supply chains remain efficient, adaptable, and responsive to evolving patterns of trade. Border agency co-operation is the top area of progress yet remains the hardest to further improve. Further efforts are needed to close the gaps between establishing regulatory frameworks for trade facilitation and their implementation in practice, particularly when automating documents and processes. Going further, increasing efficiencies through simplified and streamlined border processes remains a critical issue for promoting competitiveness and economic growth through trade costs reductions.

Not Just ‘Rare Earths’: U.S. Gets Many Critical Minerals from China (The N.Y. Times) Three years ago, after the pandemic had laid bare the world’s vulnerability to supply-chain disruptions, the U.S. government designated a large swath of the periodic table of elements — 50 minerals in all — as “critical.” The United States obtains more than half of them, including a category of 17 minerals known as “rare earths,” mostly from China. China tightened its export restrictions on six rare earths, all but halting U.S. access to new supplies. China not only mines most of the world’s rare earths, but it is also home to most of the world’s capacity for refining them. The United States has just one operational rare earth mine, in Mountain Pass, California, which produces around 15 percent of global rare earths. But the United States lacks domestic reserves of many critical minerals, so it will need new trading partners if it wishes to ease its reliance on China.

*Industry Trends 💡*

Why this Federal Mineral Mapping Project Received Bipartisan Support (Grist) Scattered across the United States, hundreds of thousands of abandoned mines scar the earth, posing a safety hazard to passing hikers and a health risk to nearby communities. But cached inside piles of refuse and ponds of toxic waste, there are also elements as critical for the 21st-century economy as coal was for the industrial revolution. Now, an obscure federal government program known as the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, or Earth MRI, is identifying the high-tech minerals concealed in these mines — as well as those hidden beneath the Earth’s surface. Developed by the U.S. Geological Survey during the first Trump administration, Earth MRI aims to comprehensively map the nation’s critical minerals. In 2021, Earth MRI received a massive funding boost through the bipartisan infrastructure law, and the current administration continues to support the desire to locate more of these resources. In addition to mapping minerals still in the ground, Earth MRI is taking a closer look at ones that have already been extracted.

Public and Expert Predictions for AI’s Next 20 Years (Pew Research Center) The rapid rise of artificial intelligence promises to transform many aspects of life, from education and work to personal connections. Over the next 20 years, AI advancements will continue. But whether this leads to excitement or concern or brings more benefits than harm is highly debated. There has been anxiety surrounding AI and jobs both among the public and workers. Findings show this sentiment is more widely held among the general public than among AI experts. Overall, 64% of U.S. adults say that over the next 20 years, AI will lead to fewer jobs in the U.S., while just 5% think it will lead to more jobs. And more than one-in-ten say it either won’t make a difference (14%) or that they’re unsure (16%). AI experts’ opinions are more mixed. Roughly four-in-ten (39%) foresee fewer jobs due to AI over the next two decades. A smaller share (19%) believes it will lead to more jobs. And one-third think it will not make much of a difference.

*Workforce ⚒️*

How U.S. Manufacturers are Combating Labor Shortages in a Tariff-Driven Market (Pipeline) As the U.S. manufacturing sector faces new challenges in workforce recruitment and retention, a technological evolution is quietly reshaping the industry landscape. However, the industry is dealing with a persistent labor shortage that threatens to undermine its growth potential and global competitiveness. In the face of these labor market headwinds, U.S. manufacturers are increasingly turning to technology as a lifeline. However, the technological shift of manufacturing is not without its challenges. The transition requires significant investment in both equipment and workforce development. Manufacturers must navigate the complexities of integrating new technologies into existing operations while ensuring that their workforce is equipped with the skills needed to operate in this new environment. This necessitates a comprehensive approach to workforce development that combines technical training with soft skills development. Manufacturers who successfully integrate these technologies can respond more quickly to market demands, customize products more easily, and maintain high quality standards even with a leaner workforce.

Workforce Development Policy in the U.S. (Brookings Institution) Economic change from automation, artificial intelligence (AI), climate change, an aging population, and shifting trade and geopolitical risks pose novel challenges for U.S. industry and labor markets. These challenges are structural; they are not caused by macroeconomic fluctuations but by a persistent misalignment of resources. For example, the U.S. lacks sufficient electricians for new clean energy jobs and does not have enough home health aides to take care of the aging population.¹ Meanwhile, continued automation and advancements in generative AI will impact where and how people work, what they do, and what skills organizations value. While these changes may eliminate some classes of jobs, they also create new ones with new skill requirements. As policymakers grapple with these challenges, relationships between organizations and their workforce are changing as well. This report discusses federal programs and explains the impact of legislation that provides funding for workforce development, explores specific state workforce development programs, and provides recommendations for policymakers.

Strategic Investments to Advance Apprenticeships in the U.S. (Urban Institute) In the context of a tight labor market with more jobs than workers to fill openings, and as young people increasingly seek alternatives to college, apprenticeships have become more important than ever. While the “earn and learn” model of apprenticeship seems to be the obvious choice to address labor market needs, it remains underutilized because of varying levels of available funding. This brief examines the costs of scaling apprenticeships, how states are advancing apprenticeships with strategic investments, and findings from a study of apprenticeship funding in Colorado. The authors also make recommendations for sustained federal and state funding to scale registered apprenticeship, including the development of a state-level funding tool. For apprenticeship in the US to be considered a talent pipeline for the nation’s workforce, strategic investments are needed.

*Business Expansions and Incentives 📊*

Ohio Welcomes Meta with $800M Data Center (RGP Northwest Ohio) The Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) and JobsOhio announced that Meta will be building its newest AI-optimized data center in Northwest Ohio. The 715,000-square-foot data center will be located on a 280-acre site in Middleton Township, Wood County. Once completed, the facility will represent an investment of more than $800 million in the state and will support approximately 100 jobs. Meta anticipates more than 1,000 construction workers will be onsite at the peak of construction. This will be the company’s 28th data center worldwide, and the second in Ohio.

$4M Investment into Missouri’s Semiconductor Industry (Missouri Partnership) The Jordan Valley Innovation Center (JVIC) at Missouri State University in Springfield established the Advanced Manufacturing Node to bolster Missouri’s semiconductor industry by fostering technological innovation, infrastructure development, and workforce enhancement. In February 2025, JVIC announced nearly $4 million in grants to four companies: Brewer Science, GVD Corporation, MEMC, and SRC Electrical. These investments aim to drive research and development, foster industry-academia collaboration, and create high-skilled jobs in Missouri, positioning the state as a leader in advanced manufacturing.

Hyundai Motor Group Commits to U.S. Growth with $21B Investment (Hyundai) Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) is announcing a significant investment of $21 billion in the United States from 2025 to 2028. This commitment reflects the Group’s strategic focus on expanding its manufacturing capabilities, advancing future technologies, and enhancing energy infrastructure in America. This latest U.S. investment builds on the Group’s existing allocation of approximately $20.5 billion since entering the U.S. market in 1986. The Group plans to invest in improving its production facilities, including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and Kia Autoland Georgia, to further enhance its customer-centric approach in delivering high-quality automobiles. Hyundai Steel, the Group’s steel affiliate, will construct an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steel mill in the state of Louisiana, capable of producing 2.7 million tons of steel annually.

PA Announces 81 Main Street Matters Investments for Opportunities for Small Businesses (PA DCED) Governor Josh Shapiro announced an investment in 81 community projects across Pennsylvania through the Main Street Matters program, which will help revitalize downtowns, support small businesses, and strengthen local economies. This historic investment in Pennsylvania’s Main Streets follows the creation of the new Main Street Matters initiative and securing $20 million for it in the 2024-25 bipartisan budget. Main Street Matters, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), received more than 200 applications requesting over $43 million ― underscoring the demand for strategic investments in Main Streets across Pennsylvania. Main Street Matters is a key part of the state’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy.

$4B Investment to Construct World’s Largest Ammonia Facility in Louisiana (LED) CF Industries Holdings, Inc., the world’s largest producer of ammonia and its partners have announced an approximately $4 billion final investment decision to establish a low-carbon ammonia facility. Upon completion, this new facility on the West Bank of Ascension Parish, Louisiana, will be the largest facility of its kind in the world. The investment is a joint venture with JERA Co., Inc., Japan’s largest energy company, and Mitsui & Co., Inc., a leading global investment company. The project is expected to create 103 direct new permanent jobs with an average salary of $110,000. The facility is expected to export approximately 1.4 million metric tons of low-carbon ammonia annually to international markets, playing a significant role in the global energy market.

The State Economic Development Executives (SEDE) Network engages in regular events throughout the year. State Economic Development.org lists these activities and offers an interactive forum for discussion among peers. The SEDE Steering Committee includes: Sandra Watson (AZ), Chair; Mike Graney (WV), Vice-Chair; Clint O’Neal (AR); Kurt Foreman (DE); Kevin McKinnon (MN); Michelle Hataway (MO); K.C. Belitz (NE); Hope Knight (NY); Christopher Chung (NC); Andrew Deye (OH); Sophorn Cheang (OR); Adriana Cruz (TX).

Allison Ulaky of the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC) led the development of this Bulletin; for questions on the content in this Bulletin or for information on the SEDE Network contact Bob Isaacson, CREC Senior Vice President.

State Economic Development Bulletin – Issue 80, April 2025

HEADLINES

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