Mid-America Economic Development Council

06/01/2026

At the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐌𝐢𝐝-𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐄𝐃𝐂 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 in 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧, members and other economic developers will gather for panels, workshops, and keynote presentations on hot-ticket economic development topics like data centers, ethics, and community revitalization.

Join us for 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫, 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 & 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲!
📆 August 31 - September 2, 2026

🏨 Hotel bookings are 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 at the 𝐉𝐖 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐭! We have reserved a hotel block at a discounted rate for MAEDC members in downtown 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐝𝐬.

👉🏽 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 and 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 your room now: https://rebrand.ly/sz4o7h1

05/28/2026

Fundraising in economic development is evolving — are you keeping up? Join our upcoming webinar, 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨, to explore emerging funding priorities, corporate and philanthropic giving trends, and strategies to strengthen your organization’s long-term financial foundation.

📅 June 16, 2026
🕚 11 AM EDT | 10 AM CST | 9 AM MST
📍 Zoom

Hear insights from Resource Development Group : A Convergent Nonprofit Solutions Company Principals Clint Nessmith and Mark Bergethon, who have helped raise billions for economic and community development initiatives nationwide.

Register today: https://rebrand.ly/nkpk47k

05/28/2026

🌟 Special deadline extension! Applications for the Economic Development Awards will reopen until Thursday, May 28th!

Due to the overwhelming response, we have extended the deadline for the Economic Development Awards to Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 12:00 pm EDT. If you missed the deadline, but were still looking to submit, be sure to get your application in now! All submissions must be paid by Friday, May 29th, at 12:00 pm EDT to be considered for judging.

🌟 Due to the overwhelming response, we have extended the deadline for the Economic Development Awards to Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 12:00 pm EDT.

If you missed the deadline, but were still looking to submit, be sure to get your application in now! All submissions must be paid by Friday May 29th at 12:00 pm EDT to be considered for judging.

Don't Forget to Apply, Mid-America EDC members!

🏆 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬!

Showcase the impact your organization is making in your community and across the region. The Mid-America EDC Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in economic development across 13 states—recognizing innovation, resilience, and results.

✨ Categories include:
• Project of the Year
• Marketing Program
• Overcoming Adversity
• Workforce & Talent
• Entrepreneurial
• Placemaking
• People’s Choice

Plus, we’ll honor an individual leader with the 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝.

⏰ Deadline to submit is May 18th!

Winners announced at our Annual Conference
🗓 August 31 – September 2, 2026
📍 Grand Rapids, MI

Gain recognition, elevate your work, and inspire others!
https://rebrand.ly/0nx6400

05/27/2026

Join us at the 2026 Annual Conference: Power, Progress, & Possibility on August 31 - September 2!

⚡ "The Power of Utilities" will be presented by Nora Balgoyen and Charles "Chuck" Marshall at the 2026 Mid-America EDC Annual Conference on August 31. Register to attend: https://rebrand.ly/ixnt614

🏨 Hotel bookings are OPEN at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids! We have reserved a hotel block for a discounted rate for our members in downtown 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐝𝐬! https://rebrand.ly/y7flfrk

🤝🏼 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 are available!

𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 come in three levels:
◽ Silver — $1,500
◽ Gold — $2,500
◽ Platinum — $5,000

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 have variety of choices so you can pick which best suits your brand:
◾ Break or Charging Station — $1,500
◾ Daily — $3,000
◾ Reception — $7,500
◾ Presenting — $10,000
https://rebrand.ly/5jhos2x

05/26/2026

⏰ LAST CHANCE! Seize this Opportunity! 🚨

Apply for the Michael P. Hickey Foundation Scholarship by 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟕𝐭𝐡!

This opportunity is designed to support emerging economic development professionals through:
🔺 Conference participation
🔺 Mentorship opportunities
🔺 Networking connections
🔺 Professional development resources

Up to five people will receive:
🎟️ Registration to the 2026 Annual Conference in Grand Rapids
🎓 Complimentary membership through 2028
🤝 Mentorship opportunities
…and more!

If you’re passionate about economic development and ready to grow your career, don’t wait — APPLY today! https://rebrand.ly/6to9u6h

05/25/2026

📣 Mid-America EDC Members — your network could pay off!

Help us grow the Mid-America EDC community by referring a fellow economic development professional between now and July 4. Every successful referral earns you an entry to win a $250 gift card! 🎉

New members who join now receive:
♦️ Membership through Jan. 1, 2028
♦️ Complimentary professional development webinars
♦️ Discounts for the 2026 Annual Conference
♦️ Exclusive networking and member resources

There’s even more to win:
🏆 Top overall referrer receives an extra $100 gift card
🌟 Leading referrers from each state will also be recognized

How to participate:
✔️ Ask your referral to list your name on their application
✔️ Make sure their application and payment are submitted by July 4
✔️ Email [email protected] to confirm your referral

Grow your network. Support the profession. Earn rewards along the way!
https://rebrand.ly/hf42giw

05/25/2026

Today, take a moment to reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We thank them and their loved ones. 🇺🇸 🕊

05/21/2026

📯 Wins for Indiana & Ohio!

Site Selection announced its Top Deals of 2025 in North America and Globally, ranked by corporate investment and job creation. Out of the 20 top deals in North America, TWO are in our 13 state region: Indiana and Ohio! https://rebrand.ly/rj6gwzn

05/20/2026

✈️ Tomorrow! Don’t miss our webinar: impactAIR: Unlocking the Potential of Local Airports

📅 May 21, 2026
🕒 3 PM EDT / 2 PM CST / 1 PM MST

Learn how communities can leverage local airports for economic growth, future aviation trends, and funding opportunities with Ron Kresha, CFO at Golden Shovel Agency.

Register today! https://rebrand.ly/zhpqdj9

05/19/2026

📣 Applications are open for the 2026 Michael P. Hickey Foundation Scholarships from the Mid-America Economic Development Council!

This opportunity supports emerging economic development professionals through conference participation, mentoring, networking, and professional development resources. Five recipients will receive registration to the 2026 Annual Conference in Grand Rapids, MI, complimentary membership through 2028, mentorship opportunities, and more.

If you’re passionate about economic development and growing your career, apply today! https://rebrand.ly/6jbqlv3