DT #441 Finding Your Niche in Economic Development

Finding Your Niche in Economic Development Economic Development is a very broad field. There are many types of organizations and a lot of different areas that you can focus on. In this episode, Dennis and Broderick compare and contrast the different types of economic development organizations from one-person offices to the corporate world.  Pros and cons of being part of a smaller organization Fewer resources Smaller budgets More opportunities to make a direct impact Opportunities to work in many areas Larger organizations also have their pros and cons More resources Larger budgets Opportunity to specialize in an area Harder to make a direct impact Easier to get lost in the shuffle The IEDC Certification process is a good way to learn about many areas of economic development. Core Competency courses (all four required): Introduction to Economic Development or Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC) Business Retention and Expansion Economic Development Credit Analysis Real Estate Development & Reuse Elective Competency Courses (minimum of 2): Economic Development Finance Economic Development Marketing & Attraction Economic Development Strategic Planning Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development Strategies Neighborhood Development Strategies Management Economic Development Organizations Technology-led Economic Development Workforce Development Foreign Direct Investment & Exporting