Economic Development Basic Course
MEDA has partnered with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and Western Michigan University to offer the Economic Development Course. This week long course is a comprehensive educational opportunity with focus on the critical areas of economic development. For those seeking national certification, the Economic Development Course is the first requirement in the process towards receiving your Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) certification. This course qualifies as a professional development training requirement needed to sit for the CEcD examination. CEcD certification through the IEDC is a national recognition that denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional attainment, and a commitment to personal and professional growth.
The course is accredited by the International Economic Development Council. For more information, see www.iedconline.org or call 202-942-9466. The International Economic Development Council is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to helping economic developers do their job more effectively and raising the profile of the profession.
Current Events
The Economic Development Basic Course is scheduled for October 4 - 7 in 2010. You can register using the link below.
Agenda
Click Here for the 2010 Economic Development Basic Course tentative agenda.
Cost
MEDA Members: $625
Non-MEDA Members: $850
Please note that your membership status with the IEDC does not qualify you for the member rate for the Economic Development Basic Course.
Location
The 2010 Economic Development Basic Course will be held at:
Eagle Eye Golf Club
15500 Chandler Road
East Lansing, MI 48823
Eagles Nest Conference Room
517-641-4570
Get Directions
Accommodations
You can reserve hotel rooms for the Economic Development Basic Course here:
Hampton Inn
2500 Coolidge Road
East Lansing, MI 48823
Call 517-324-2072 for reservations. DO NOT CALL 517-627-8381 - that is the wrong Hampton Inn.
Rate: $65/night
Ask for: MI Economic Developers Assoc. room block
Reserve by: September 3, 2010
Get Directions
Registration
Click Here to register for the Economic Development Basic Course and other CEcD Courses.
Scholarship Information
Past Courses
Click Here to see the brochure from the 2009 Course. Click Here to view pictures.
Click Here to see the brochure from the 2008 Course. Click Here to view pictures.
Economic Development Basic Course Required Sessions
The following nine sessions are held at the Ecomomic Development Basic Course each year.
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Strategic Planning Strategic planning for a community or organization envisions its future and develops necessary procedures and actions to achieve that future. This session will focus on the background understanding of strategic planning and its process, how to design & organize the process, and developing strategies and formulating action plans.
Entrepreneurship; Small Business Development This session will provide an overview of the role of small business in the U.S. economy, creation of jobs, a brief profile of the small business creation process, and an introduction to the new and emerging areas of small business creation.
Managing an Economic Development Organization This session will cover the issues specific to economic development organizations such as; working with leaders, developing a vision for the organization and community, delegation of available resources to the right programs and the development of the most appropriate programs for that organization and community.
Attraction and Marketing As an economic developer, it is important that you have basic knowledge of the marketing process and its benefits. This session will focus on the marketing process, geographic and economic considerations, suspects vs. prospects, and advertising & promotion. Also addressed will be market research and targeting.
Real Estate Development and Reuse In this session, participants will be introduced to the land development process, with an emphasis on the role that the economic developer plays. Participants will learn about the various tools that are available at the local level, including tax increment financing, bonds, land assembly and eminent domain, in addition to the many federal programs available. |
Financing This session will focus on several key elements, including: blending of sources, capital availability, source of long-term financing, returns to the lender, and leveraging. Once we have a better understanding of the structure, we will then look at the two sectors in financing: public and private.
Workforce Development Workforce development is quickly becoming the #1 focus for economic development organizations. A skilled and educated workforce is crucial in today’s economy. This interactive session will focus on the need for the creation of workforce development programs that address both community and business needs.
Community Development This session will provide an understanding of the steps in the community development process, and the challenges of community development in economic development practice.
Retention and Expansion Business retention and expansion is critical in today’s economy. The objectives of this session will include how to organize a business retention and expansion program. We will cover how to provide examples of programs and activities that foster the growth of existing business, to recommend strategies helpful in implementing a successful program, and identify valuable local resources. |