ACADEMY

Academy Course Library

The Academy Library showcases the past five years of academies focused on the 10 core IEDC topics. This collection offers in-depth access to specialized knowledge, best practices, and innovative strategies from recent training sessions. Whether you’re looking to revisit a specific topic or explore new areas within economic development, the Academy Library provides valuable insights and learning opportunities from expert-led sessions designed to enhance professional growth and effectiveness in the field.

Topics Areas Covered

What is economic development and what is the role of an economic developer
Managing a local economic development organization
Ethics
Growing from within – small business development & entrepreneurship
Marketing & attraction
Community & neighborhood development
Strategic planning for economic development
Workforce development
Business finance
Real estate development & reuse

Interested in bringing back an academy, or purchasing past academy materials for a team or self-led learning?

Check out our Upcoming Events!

2024 Academies

January 31 Energizing the Future: Exploring Key Trends in Energy – Comprehensive
March 21 Think Like a Developer Workshop – Webinar
May 22 Executing Neighborhood Revitalization – Webinar
May 28 Energizing Wisconsin: Power in Economic Development – Webinar
June 26 The Navigator: A Strategies and Tactics Webinar on Retaining Businesses in Your Community Using Succession Planning and Employee Ownership Models – Webinar
August 22 WEDA Academy: Next Generation Community Engagement: The Intersection of Citizen Voice and GIS – Webinar
September 25 Multifamily Workforce Housing: Strategies for Success – Comprehensive
November 21 Recap of November 2024 Election Results & Economic Development Impact

2023 Academies

February 1 Real Estate Project Analysis: Historic Building Redevelopment to Greenfield Development – Comprehensive
April 12 Stretching Your Community Marketing Dollars – Webinar
August 9 An Economic Developer’s Guide to Municipal Engineering Terms – Webinar
September 27 Tax Increment Financing – Comprehensive
November 8 Fundamentals of Industrial & Business Park Development – Webinar

2022 Academies

February 9 Economic Development Project Analysis – Comprehensive
May 4 Exploring Opportunities in Freight Rail – Webinar
August 3 Placemaking: Creating Your Quality Place – Webinar
September 28 Best Practices in Workforce Attraction – Comprehensive
November 2 TIF Fundamentals – Webinar

2021 Academies

February 3 Fundamentals of Business Retention – Webinar
March 24 The Evolving Commercial Real Estate Market: Challenges and Opportunities for Communities – Webinar
April 8 Business Attraction: Selling Your Community Assets – Webinar
August 4 Managing Economic Development Organizations – Webinar
September 29 Workforce Development: Overcoming Barriers – Building Opportunities Comprehensive – Workshop
November 10 Workforce Development: Overcoming Barriers – Part 2 – Child Care and Transportation – Webinar

2020 Academies

February 5 Financing Workforce Housing: Exploring Program Options and Models – Workshop
March 10 NDC’s Mixed Use Development – 1 day course
April 28 Spurring Single Family Residential Investment, Tools for Your Market – Webinar
May 20 Fiscal and Economic Impact Tools – Webinar
August 6-7 IEDC’s Workforce Development Strategies – 2 day course
September 30 Dealing with Barriers to Employment: Sustainable Best Practices – ½ day Workshop
October 27 Fundamentals of Business Retention – Webinar