Wisconsin Economic Development Academy Update: Kathy Heady, Academy Manger
Have you achieved your AICP, CEcD or EDFP certification? Are you looking for affordable quality continuing education opportunities to maintain your certification? WEDA is now a recertification trainer for the National Development Council (NDC). Most of our programs are approved for recertification points by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for CEcD professionals. WEDA has also entered a MOU with the American Planning Association (APA)-WI chapter for providing AICP continuing education programming. Be sure to look for approved credits/points when registering for a WEDA Academy course.
The Academy recently held two programs. The Development Agreement Fundamentals webinar was held on June 25th and featured instructors Katherine (Katie) C. Hinkle, Associate Attorney, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP and Charlie Walker, CEcD, President and CEO, Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation. The program introduced development agreements, including what an agreement is and when it is used, essential elements, best practices, and community perspectives.
The second program – Impact Through Redevelopment, was held on July 17 prior to the Mid-America Economic Development Council 2019 Best Practices Conference in Milwaukee. Our experienced team of course instructors Kristen Fish-Peterson, CEcD, Principal/CEO Redevelopment Resources, John F. Stibal, Development Department Director, City of West Allis, and facilitator Kathryn Berger, JD, Manager-Business Development, CG Schmidt, Inc. shared their redevelopment expertise in a dynamic and interactive session. Topics covered included steps to effective redevelopment strategies; methods of evaluating projects; the when, why and how to engage the public; and communication tips and financial tools. Participants had an opportunity to share stories about their experiences and to work together through a case study. As a bonus, interested participants were offered a chance to stay and discuss projects in their communities after the formal program ended.
This fall will be a busy time for Academy programming. Registration is now open for Fostering Entrepreneurial Food and Agriculture Enterprises. This in-depth program will be held at SentryWorld in Stevens Point from 8:30 a.m. to noon on October 2, prior to the WEDA Fall Conference. Instructor Terra Johnson, Director of the UW System Food Finance Institute, is a serial entrepreneur whose mission is to create the next generation of environmentally and economically regenerative food and farming businesses. Through this interactive course, economic development professionals and business leaders, will learn about what companies and farms really need and how addressing these needs can become the basis for a multidimensional sector development strategy for food and agriculture.
As a bonus, WEDA/CRA Network members can bring an entrepreneur for free with one paid member workshop registration. Additional Fall programs include a housing fundamentals webinar planned for September and a mixed-use development in-depth training with the NDC in November. Stay tuned for registration information.
Planning is underway for 2020 Academy programming. Please reach out to me at kheady@weda.org if you have any program recommendations or if you are interested in serving as an instructor.
