State of the Association: WEDA President and CEO Mary Perry

Hello WEDA! Raise your hands if you LOVE the beauty and splendor of Wisconsin in the Autumn!  The trees lining my street have just turned to a magnificent crimson and gold canopy. I hope you and yours can take the time to get out and enjoy this lovely season whether you’re hiking, biking, or visiting a pumpkin patch with the kiddos!

In my last WEDA Wire message, I told you to expect a spectacular WEDA Fall Best Practices Conference in La Crosse – and I’m proud to say we delivered. Full credit goes to our talented speakers and presenters, and to the dedicated conference planning committee members who sought out valuable session content and engaging, expert speakers.

We also took time to recognize and celebrate initiatives and businesses across Wisconsin at the 2022 Community and Economic Development Awards luncheon. #WINNING and Congratulations to winners. The finalists rose to the top because their projects demonstrated the best of the best in collaboration, passion, and mobilization of efforts that have had a positive impact in their hometowns and have helped to advance the Wisconsin economy.

Today, we are pouring over the finalists to determine which of these will form the basis of our 2023 Fall Best Practices case study sessions!  Mark your calendars now Sept 27-29, 2023, in downtown Wausau!

While you are marking your calendar, please also keep these dates in mind:

What’s in your individual professional development plan?

Do you plan to pursue the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential? The Wisconsin Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC) is a pre-requisite to IEDC’s CEcD pursuit. If you’re not taking the CEcD route but working in an industry which requires you to understand best practices in economic and community development, the BEDC provides an excellent introduction to economic development, funding, entrepreneurship, business retention and expansion practices, successful real estate redevelopment initiatives and much more. If these are areas of interest to you, then you’ll want to plan and budget for WEDA’s Wisconsin BEDC, which is accredited by IEDC. WEDA is currently reviewing site proposals and plans to conduct the BEDC in May, 2023.

Economic Development 101

Would you like your public officials, board members and residents to better understand and support economic development efforts? Then you’ll be happy to learn that WEDA takes its ED 101-Economic Development for Local Leaders on the road this fall.  We will be in Jefferson County, Trempeauleau County, and the Oshkosh area to deliver economic and community development concepts and facts along with best practices in applying economic development theory to your hometown. Our curriculum is designed and customized specifically to provide information foundational to economic development policies and practices affecting your area. Call me at 414.699.3917  if you want to discuss hosting nan ED 101 course.

 

WEDA is committed to an inclusive approach where equal opportunities exist for all our members and partners. We strive to support a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community that creates a sense of belonging and an environment that includes all backgrounds and perspectives.