The NADO Research Foundation reached out to experts and thought leaders across the country to reflect on key issues and trends impacting the field of regional economic development.  The result is the Economic Development Writing & Lecture Series: ten issue briefs and accompanying short video lectures that address practical elements of doing economic development, current and emerging topics and themes, and broader commentary on the current state of economic development, especially in small metros and rural regions. 

This series was designed specifically for Economic Development District (EDD) staff and leadership who maintain a CEDS, but should be of interest to a wider audience of practitioners, public and private funders, elected officials, students, and others working on economic and community development.  ​Though these briefs and videos highlight a wide variety of regional economic development issues, the themes of resilience, equity, and wealth creation flow through all of them.  This is in recognition that regions can only thrive when they are empowered to proactively plan for the future, are inclusive and welcoming to all residents, and leverage local assets to drive prosperity and resilience.

Click the links below to access each of the issue briefs and accompanying video lectures​​

• SMART Goals:  A Winning Formula for Economic Development Districts
  ​Brian Kelsey, Founder, Civic Analytics, LLC 

• Using Community Benchmarking in the CEDS Process: A How-To Guide 
  ​​Erik Pages, President, Entreworks Consulting 

• Skills to Drive Economic Recovery, Mobility, and Equity 
  ​Joel Simon, Vice President for Workforce Strategies, Emsi Burning Glass  

• Regional Responses to the Nation's Growing Housing Crisis​
  Mariia Zimmerman, Principal and Founder, MZ Strategies, LLC

• Outdoor Recreation as an Economic Driver:  Leveraging Opportunities and Addressing Challenges
  ​Megan McConville, Founder, Park Street Community Solutions

• How EDDs Can Utilize the CEDS to Increase Regional Competitiveness Through Business Location Decisions
  ​Steve Etcher, Manager, Location Strategies, MarksNelson​

• Rural Economic Development with a Purpose: Shifting Expectations and Opportunities
  ​Brian Dabson, Rural Policy Analyst & Researcher

• A New Approach to Rural Economic Development:  Building Capacity to Drive Equitable Growth
  ​​Nathan Ohle, CEO, Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP)

• A Wealth Creation Approach to Support Economic Development in Rural Communities
  ​Melissa Levy, Principal and Owner, Community Roots, LLC

• Broadband and Beyond:  Recalibrating Small Town Economic Development
  ​Taylor Stuckert, Executive Director, Clinton County (OH) Regional Planning Commission​

Many thanks to all of the contributors in this series who shared their time, expertise, and enthusiasm for this project and for their overall efforts in advancing the field of economic development.  A special thank you also to FormationPR for designing and formatting the issue briefs.   ​

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Contact NADO Research Foundation Associate Director Brett Schwartz at [email protected] with any questions about the Economic Development Writing and Lecture Series.    
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These briefs and videos were published by the NADO Research Foundation using Federal funds under award ED17HDQ3030005 from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.