Develop This: Economic and Community Development

Debi Durham, the Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) joins Dennis to discuss the role of a state economic development director.

• Fifteen years ago, what was the state of economic development?
• Fast forward 15 years, and how has economic development changed?
• Through two main divisions – business development and community development the IEDA administers almost 50 state and federal programs to assist individuals, communities, and businesses. That is a lot of plates to spin at one time. How big is the IEDA team?
• As a state, does Iowa target specific sectors for projects?
• Every state has advantages and disadvantages. How do you work to sell the sizzle for Iowa?
• How competitive are projects between the states?
• At the local level, we are used to projects from the state, utility, or rail partners. How do projects flow to the IEDA?
• Let's talk about the changes in the economic development landscape for projects, starting with the rise of certified sites.
• Incentives are always a controversial topic. How have incentives changed during your tenure, and what are your views on incentives?
• What advice for frontline economic development professionals do you have when competing for projects or existing industry expansions?
• What do you wish every economic development professional knew about when responding to RFIs?
• Debi, look into your crystal ball. What do you think economic development will look like in 10 years?

Debi Durham

Debi Durham is a longtime economic and community development professional who serves as Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA). Durham was named to the positions by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds in January 2019. Durham was first appointed to lead IEDA in 2011, and during her eight-year tenure, has turned the agency into a successful public-private partnership, landed billion-dollar economic development projects for Iowa and worked tirelessly on expanding trade and investment opportunities for the state. She prides herself on building coalitions, supporting new ventures and strengthening the state's industries and communities.

Prior to joining IEDA, Durham served as president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce. Her several accolades include being recognized as one of the "Most Influential Business Leaders" in the 2019 Des Moines Business Record Book of Lists and receiving the Technology Association of Iowa's "Legislative Advocacy Leader" award in 2017. Durham also was recognized by the Business Record as a "Woman of Influence" in 2016. Durham holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing and Management from Missouri Southern State University.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority's (IEDA) mission is to strengthen economic and community vitality by building partnerships and leveraging resources to make Iowa the choice for people and business. Through two main divisions – business development and community development – IEDA administers several state and federal programs to meet its goals of assisting individuals, communities and businesses.

Expand Your Business

• Accelerated Career Education (260G)
• Angel Investor Tax Credit
• Business Expansion & Strategic Trends (BEST)
• Business License Information Center
• Butchery Innovation and Revitalization Program
• Community College Consortium
• Demonstration Fund
• Economic Development Set-Aside (EDSA)
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Entrepreneurial Investment Awards (EIA) Program
• High Quality Jobs (HQJ)
• IASourceLink
• Industrial New Jobs Training (260E)
• Innovation Acceleration Fund
• Innovation Fund Tax Credit
• International Trade Office
• Iowa Apprenticeship Programs
• Iowa Jobs Training (260F)
• Iowa Student Internship Program
• New Jobs Tax Credit
• Proof of Commercial Relevance
• Renewable Chemical Production Tax Credit
• Research Activities Tax Credit
• SBIR & STTR Outreach Programs
• Stem Internship Program
• Targeted Jobs Withholding Tax Credit
• Targeted Small Business Program
• Wage Requirements

Grow Your Community

• Annexation, Discontinuance and Land Planning
• Clean Cities Program
• Community Catalyst Building Remediation
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Programs
• Community Facilities & Services
• Destination Iowa
• Disaster Recovery
• Disaster Workforce Housing Tax Credits
• Downtown Resource Center
• Downtown Revitalization Fund
• Employment Transportation
• Empower Rural Iowa
• Endow Iowa
• Energy Infrastructure Revolving Loan Program
• Enhance Iowa
• Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program
• Housing Rehabilitation
• Iowa Energy Center Grant Program
• Iowa Energy Office
• Iowa Green Streets
• Iowa Reinvestment Districts
• Main Street Iowa
• Nuisance Property and Abandoned Building Remediation
• Opportunities and Threats Fund
• Opportunity Zones
• Redevelopment Tax Credits
• Rural Housing Assessment Grant Program
• Rural Innovation Grant Program
• Shop Iowa
• Sustainable Land Use Planning
• Water & Sewer Fund
• Workforce Housing Tax Credit

Mark Perna joined Dennis, and they discussed the state of workforce in 2025.

• What prompted you to write Answering Why?
• How would you compare the state of our workforce in 2018 versus today?
• We are at the start of 2025. Where do we stand today with job openings and the skills gap?
• How can economic development professionals and organizations be more proactive in dealing with workforce issues?
• Do you see more collaboration between education, economic development and others?
• Who is leading workforce development in most communities?
• If you woke up in a community tomorrow as an economic development professional, what would you do regarding workforce development?
• What resources do you have available to help economic development professionals better understand the workforce issues we are facing.

Danielle Casey, President & CEO of the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance, joins Dennis and discusses finding your path in economic development.

• How do you find the right fit?
• How do you know when to move to the next position?
• Is working your way up in one organization preferable, or is there value in working for multiple organizations?
• Is there a tipping point when it makes more sense to stay with an organization?
• Are there red flags when looking at joining an organization?
• Are there some dos and don'ts people should be aware of when interviewing?

Ms. Casey brings extensive and diverse experience in leadership, public administration, marketing, business development and retention, and strategic planning as the leader of AREA, a nonprofit organization working to create a prosperous and diverse economy for the four-county Albuquerque metro region. She joined the organization in October of 2020.

Previously, she served as the Executive Vice President for the Greater Sacramento Economic Council and oversaw the organization's business development, marketing and communications, investor engagement, research, and strategic initiatives critical to advancing economic growth in Greater Sacramento. She oversaw the comprehensive launch and execution of a best-in-class national site selection consultant strategy and established first-ever memorandums of understanding with seven local commercial real estate brokerage offices, receiving a Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council in 2020 for a joint publication she spearheaded with CBRE. She established critical internal efficiencies with revisions to all organizational practices from database management to budget development and oversight. Even in the wake of COVID-19, the organization succeeded in meeting all its annual metrics and job creation goals and launching a regional business retention and expansion outreach program.

From 2013 – 2018, Danielle served the well-known City of Scottsdale, Arizona as its Economic Development Director. Under her leadership, the department received six awards of excellence from the International Economic Development Council, status as an Accredited Economic Development Organization, the 2015 'Large Community Economic Development Organization of the Year' award from the Arizona Association for Economic Development, and unanimous Council approval of a Five-Year Economic Development Strategic Plan – the first for the community in more than 15 years. During her tenure, the department was directly involved in projects accounting for more than $24 million in 5-year direct revenue impact to the city, $7 billion in 5-year total economic impact, 4,428 or more new jobs in the first 12 months of business operation alone and $160 million in new capital investment.

Ms. Casey served in various executive roles at the City of Maricopa, Ariz. since 2005, lastly as the Assistant City Manager. Departments under her oversight included economic development, community and development services, capital improvement, public works and City-wide marketing and communications activities. She managed several noteworthy tasks in the establishment of the City's economic development office, such as the creation of an Industrial Development Authority, the City's first Redevelopment District and Area Plan, the establishment of a local economic development 501 (c) 3 (the Maricopa Economic Development Alliance), City-wide branding and Economic Development Strategic Plan. Prior to her time in Maricopa, she attained significant experience in the non-profit sector working in fundraising, marketing, and event and membership management at the Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art in Phoenix, Arizona and at Save The Bay in Providence, Rhode Island.

Ms. Casey received her bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and Master of Administration from Northern Arizona University. She is both a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) as well as a certified Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP). She is a member of the International Economic Development Council and serves on its Board of Directors Governance Committee. She also serves as an instructor at the Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute and serves on its Board of Directors and as a Mentor. Danielle is a proud Past President of the Arizona Association for Economic Development, a statewide professional association with more than 480 public and private members, and an active board member with New Mexico IDEA.

In May 2010, Ms. Casey was the honored recipient of the 'Economic Developer of the Year – Small Community' award from the Arizona Association for Economic Development and in January 2017 she was recognized as a national top '40 under 40 Rising Star' in economic development by Development Counsellors International. In addition, she is co-founder of the Arizona Chapter of Women Leading Government which in its sixth year draws more than 400 participants.

An Air Force brat, Ms. Casey has had the great privilege of living in Texas, Ohio, Alabama, Louisiana, Utah, Rhode Island, Arizona and California throughout her life and is thrilled to now call Albuquerque home, along with her trusty English bulldog Sophie, heeler/cattle dog mix Persie, and her amazing and supportive husband Steve.

Bryan Daniels, the President and CEO of the Blount Partnership – Incoming IEDC Board chair, joins Dennis, and they discuss what is ahead for the economic development profession and IEDC in 2025.

Bryan Daniels was born and raised in Greeneville, Tennessee, which is adjacent to Cherokee National Forest. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications & Computer Science and a Master of Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from East Tennessee State University.

Bryan began his career with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development based in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Daniels left the State of Tennessee in 1997 and begun work as an Economic Development Planner for the firm of Barge Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon based in Nashville, Tennessee. During this time Bryan worked with several communities within East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. His clients were municipalities trying to develop their local economies and seeking state and federal support for their goals.

From 2001 thru 2010, Bryan accepted the role of Executive Vice President under the Blount Partnership. He was directly responsible for the Economic Development offices and staff located in Maryville, Tennessee; Munich, Germany; and Yokohama, Japan. Bryan managed the operations of the community's four industrial parks, two science/technology parks, and the Economic Development Programs for Blount County, City of Maryville, and City of Alcoa, Tennessee. The Economic Development Board is one of the four partner agencies of the Blount Partnership.

In 2010, Bryan was named President and CEO of the Blount Partnership. The Partnership is comprised of The Blount County Chamber of Commerce, Blount County Economic Development Board, the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority, and the Blount Chamber Foundation. The 24-person staff is responsible for all economic development activities within the jurisdictional boarders of Blount County and the cities of Alcoa, Maryville, Townsend, Rockford, Friendsville, and Louisville.

During Bryan's tenure, Blount County has recruited over 75 new and expanding companies in the areas of research & development, corporate headquarters, manufacturing, and back-office support centers. The total capital investment of these companies has exceeded $4 billion dollars and created more than 12,000 direct new jobs with average wages above Tennessee's average. The Blount County local governments adopted the new tourism authority structure which was written by Bryan and former Senator Doug Overbey. The authority was unanimously adopted by the 107th Tennessee general assembly.

Bryan has continued his professional education by graduating from the Economic Development Institute located at the University of Oklahoma and is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council. Bryan is also a graduate from the US Chamber's Institute of Non-Profit Management and attained the designation of IOM. He has also attained the status of Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) from the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.

The Blount Partnership is a five-star accredited Chamber of Commerce by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is the only Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) by the International Economic Development Council in the state of Tennessee. Bryan is very active in the community and has held the following leadership roles:

IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle joins Dennis, and they reflect on Nathan's first three years leading IEDC and what the future holds for the economic development profession and IEDC.

IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle joins Dennis, and they discuss the 2025 IEDC conferences and the changes happening to the IEDCC conferences in 2025.

o 2025 Leadership Summit Washington, D.C. February 23 – 25

o 2025 Rural Summit Great Falls Montana June 23 – 25

o 2025 Annual Conference Detroit, MI September 14 – 17

Mark C. Perna joins Dennis, and they discuss Being Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable. Discover why being uncomfortable can actually be positive, and why focusing on a personal competitive advantage now prepares us for when our personal "want-to" arrives.

The Competitive Advantage Track Is Available Free on Mark's Website

Learners will discover: • Why being uncomfortable can actually be a positive thing

• How to focus, plan, and take action when life gets uncomfortable

• Why we should "say yes, and then figure out how"

• How our personal "want-to" spurs us to do things we may be nervous about doing

• Why focusing on a personal competitive advantage now prepares us for when our personal "want-to" arrives

Dennis gets personal about his decision to retire from his economic development position and discusses what is next for Develop This!

Dennis is joined by Maria Berg-Stark, the Senior Director of Membership at IEDC, and they discuss the changes to IEDC's membership structure. IEDC recently rolled out a new membership plan, reducing our membership offerings from 27 categories to 10.

Individual Member Types

Member Type

Price* (USD)

Definition

Student

$35

Must be enrolled in at least 12 course hours per semester and provide a transcript from university or learning institution

Member in Transition/Retired

$125

Professional who is retired or currently not employed

Emerging Leader

$195

Professional in the economic development field 5 years or less; IEDC reserves the right to verify work history

International Member (North America)

$385

Canada and Mexico

International Member (outside North America)

$225

Excludes Canada and Mexico

Rural

$255

Serving a population of 10,000 or less; may require verification

Individual

$385

Professional who is actively employed in the field of economic development

Leader of the Industry

$525

A President, CEO, Executive Director, or other C-level executive

Supplier Partner

$725

A vendor and/or consultant that provides products or services to economic development professionals

*IEDC's membership term is January 1 – December 31. First-year enrollments are prorated to the month you join.

Clark Smith has almost 40 years of experience in economic development. Clark began his economic development career as executive director of the Hampton Area Chamber and Development Corporation. He then joined the Iowa Department of Economic Development, where he worked as a community consultant and manager of existing industry. Most recently, Clark was the economic development director for Aquila, Inc. – Iowa. He has worked with hundreds of companies providing site selection/expansion assistance. Clark has been President of the Professional Developers of Iowa and the Community Development Society of Iowa. Clark also managed and owned a trade association business and started Butler House on Grand Bed and Breakfast, which he sold.

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