Whether you’re new to the world of Economic Development or you’d like to get in-depth with a refresher,  the Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course is your ticket to the fundamental concepts, strategies, and tools needed to be successful in today’s complex economic environment. This essential course is designed to prepare participants for the challenges they face in the practice of developing communities and assist them in gaining capacity-building skills, resources, and networks to accelerate economic development.

In previous years, our week-long Basic Course was held in Baltimore, which required travel expenses, time away from home, and extra planning and organization. With our all-virtual course this year, you can learn it all from the comfort of your own home, making it an accessible, efficient, and more affordable way to learn the fundamentals of economic development. We have excellent instructors lined up to teach, and you’ll get to meet and network with other participants… all virtually!

This course will be offered online (via Zoom). Please note that the time zone is Eastern Time (ET).

To view the draft agenda for the 2024 MEDA Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course, please click here. Please note: as part of the curriculum of the 2024 MEDA Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course, participants will attend the 2024 MEDA Summer Conference: Best Practices for Economic Developers in Site Selector Engagement, which will be held virtually on July 24 from 9 AM to 12 PM.

What You’ll Learn:

• Grow your skills and understanding of economic development foundational elements
• Best practices in economic and community development
• Managing an economic development program
• Financing economic development projects and using incentives
• Explore new methods and programs to promote job growth and investment
• Business retention and expansion
• Marketing and business attraction
• Discuss emerging trends and factors that shape local and regional economies
• Ethics in economic development
• Gain detailed knowledge of successful initiatives
• Strategic planning
• Small business and entrepreneurship
• Tools for planning your economy and how to use them.
• Researching your prospects and building a community data profile.
• Real estate development and reuse
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Managing real estate inventory.
• Develop a valuable network of fellow economic development professionals and resources
• Learn from outstanding experts and practitioners in the field

Who Should Take the Course?

The Basic Economic Development Course is designed for community leaders and stakeholders who participate in the process of community and economic development at local, regional, state and federal levels. Typical attendees include:

• • • Economic development practitioners
    • Business leaders
    • Community volunteers
    • Public utility personnel
    • Government agency staff
    • Real estate professionals
    • Chambers of commerce members
    • Business development professionals
    • Cooperative extension personnel
    • Planning and development agencies
    • Bankers and financial institution professionals
    • Community development organization professionals
    • Municipal, town and county government elected and appointed officials
    • Others interested in facilitating job creation and capital investment in their community, region or state

Your First Step Toward Certification

For those seeking national certification, the Economic Development Basic Course is the first requirement in the process of becoming a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). This Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course qualifies as a professional development training requirement needed to sit for the CEcD exam. CEcD certification through the IEDC is a national recognition that denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional attainment, and a commitment to personal and professional growth.

Lofton Scholarships for MEDA Members

Members of MEDA can apply for a Lofton Scholarship to cover the tuition for the Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course in full.  MEDA’s Lofton Scholarship exists to support the growth of professional skills and knowledge by economic development practitioners in Maryland.

Apply for the Lofton Scholarship before you register for the Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course. Upon acceptance, you will be given a discount code to use with your registration. The last day to apply for the Lofton Scholarship for the Basic Course is July 15. Apply here!

Details
The 2024 MEDA Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course will be held July 22 – July 26 (virtually) from approximately 9am to 4pm Eastern Time. To view the draft agenda for the 2024 MEDA Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course, please click here.

Tuition is:

• $640 for MEDA members (Lofton Scholarship available for full tuition to members)
• $815  for non-members (tuition includes MEDA membership for a year)