Auburn’s Government & Economic Development Institute receives IEDC reaccreditation for Basic Economic Development course

Published: November 12, 2020

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The Government & Economic Development Institute at Auburn University, or GEDI, is proud to announce that week one of its Intensive Economic Development Training Course has once again been re-accredited as a Basic Economic Development Course by the International Economic Development Council, or IEDC. IEDC is the premier membership organization dedicated to helping economic development professionals create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities and improve the quality of life in their regions.

When notifying GEDI of the reaccreditation, the IEDC stated, “IEDC thanks you for your dedication to the Basic Economic Development Course, or BEDC, program. Through the BEDC reaccreditation process, IEDC ensures that BEDCs continue to meet the high-quality training that meet our educational standards.”

In order to gain reaccreditation, GEDI had to go through an in-depth review process. IEDC found that the course offered by GEDI received positive feedback from course attendees and met all the educational guidelines. IEDC expressed support of the GEDI program by saying, “We would like to thank you for your efforts to offer quality education for the economic development field. IEDC is committed to creating opportunities to gain the basic competencies in economic development, and we appreciate your partnership in this goal.”

The Intensive Economic Development Training Course is divided into two one-week sessions and introduces participants to all phases of economic development. The first week of the Intensive Course, because of the IEDC accreditation, fulfills one of the prerequisites for those who wish to take the exam for the Certified Economic Developer, or CEcD, designation. It provides an intensive overview of general economic development concepts and principles. Topics covered in this week 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 Intensive Economic Development Training Course at Auburn University has been offered for over 35 years and has graduated over 1,000 course participants from every county in Alabama and many other states. Graduates work in private businesses and industries as well as municipalities and serve in key roles such as economic developers and elected officials. Intensive program leaders and faculty have proven success in economic development practices and techniques. The instructors represent the field’s most effective practitioners from throughout the state and the nation.


GEDI is a department of University Outreach which specializes in providing training and consulting to government employees, workers in private businesses, non-profit employees, elected officials and economic development professionals. Having over 35 years of experience, GEDI has established itself as a leading provider of economic development education and training in Alabama.


Auburn University is also proud to serve as a Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration University Center. EDA supports universities in their mission to assist states and their economic development community through the EDA University Center program.

For more information on GEDI and its programs, visit www.auburn.edu/gedi.

Submitted by: Jennifer Ryan