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About Michigan’s Economic Development Basic Course

Comprehensive Training in Key Areas by Experienced Leaders

Jones and Horvath
Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership President Justin Horvath, CEcD, brought his Vice President, Brent Jones, to share their long-term experience on managing their small but mighty EDO at our 2024 Basic Course.

MEDA partners with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) to offer Michigan's Economic Development Basic Course, commonly referred to as "the Basic Course". This course is a comprehensive educational opportunity that focuses on the critical areas of economic development.

For those seeking national certification, the Basic Course is the first requirement for becoming a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) as it qualifies as a professional development training requirement needed to sit for the CEcD exam.

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 IEDC. For more information, click here, or call 202-942-9466. The IEDC is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to helping economic developers do their jobs more effectively and raising the profile of the profession.

A Few Good Reasons to Take the Basic Course

  • You have less than 5 years of experience in economic development.
  • You need to tie together some loose ends in your economic development knowledge.
  • You want to take your economic development career to another level by becoming a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). This Course is a part of that series!

More Basic Course Basics

Dates:

September 9 - 11, 2025

Agenda:

Typically available in May.

What to Expect:

  • A mixture of lecture and case study work.
  • Approximately 8:00 to 5:00 each day.
  • Lunch on your own.
  • Drinks and snacks are provided.

Location: Typically in the Lansing area.

Hotel Reservations: Typically available in May.

Scholarships: Scholarships are available for MEDA members to attend the Economic Development Basic Course each year. Scholarship applications must be submitted by August 1, 2025.

Regular Sessions
The Economic Development Basic Course is a comprehensive training course in which the best of Michigan’s practitioners educate participants on the fundamentals of economic development in the following areas. Two hours of training on these sessions is provided per the requirement of the IEDC:

  • Business Retention and Expansion
  • Community/Neighborhood Development
  • Economic Development Ethics
  • Economic Development Finance
  • Managing an Economic Development Organization
  • Marketing/Attraction
  • Real Estate Development and Reuse
  • Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development
  • Strategic Planning
  • Workforce Development

Bonus Session
MEDA has added a session that is pertinent to successful economic development:

  • Developing a Healthy Relationship with Your Legislators

Cancellation Policy: Coming Soon

Our Dates Don't Work for You? See Professional Development at www.iedconline.com for a list of upcoming Basic Courses in the U.S.

2024 Basic Course Group Photo
2024 Basic Course Session

Attend the Basic Course

If you would like to hear more about the Basic Course, please contact MEDA. Cassandra Jorae can add you to the notification list. Conference information and registration are expected in May of 2025.

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