GEDI's Intensive Economic Development Training Course to be held online this year

Published: August 12, 2020
Jennifer Ryan | Government and Economic Development Institute at Auburn University

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The first week of the Intensive Economic Development Training Course—administered by the Government and Economic Development Institute at Auburn University, or GEDI—will be held online Sept. 21-25 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those who are not local to the Auburn area can take advantage of this virtual class and learn at home while saving on travel expenses.

The Intensive Economic Development training course is divided into two one-week sessions and introduces participants to all phases of economic development. Program leaders and faculty have proven success in economic development practices and techniques.

Instructors represent the field’s most effective practitioners from throughout the state and nation. Week 1 is accredited by the International Economic Development Council, or IEDC, and fulfills one of the prerequisites for those who wish to take the exam for the designation of Certified Economic Developer, or CEcD.

It provides in-depth coverage of general economic development concepts and principles.

Week One topics include:

Trends in Economic Development

Workforce Development and Training

Community Development Fundamentals and Success Models

Marketing and Business Attraction

Business Retention and Expansion

Web and Social Media Marketing Strategies

Strategic Planning for Economic Development

Real Estate Development and Reuse

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development

Economic Development Finance

Site Selection Case Study Exercise

Economic Development Ethics

Building and Managing Economic Development Organization

The second week focuses on important issues and community development resources and is especially valuable to economic developers and community leaders practicing in Alabama. Week Two will be held Sept. 20-23, 2021, in Auburn.

The course could be especially useful for: local, regional and state-level economic development professionals; economic/industrial development board members; chamber of commerce officials; state/local elected officials; community leaders; county commissioners; utility company representatives; and community/regional planners.

Those interested in registering can take advantage of the early bird registration period now until Aug. 21, when fees are $650 for Week One and $850 for both sessions. After Aug. 21, the fees increase to $700 and $900, respectively.

For more information and to register, visit: http://auburn.edu/outreach/gedi/intensive/Intensive.

Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.