The Center for Research and Innovation’s Economic Development Program equips local leaders with the critical skills and capacities needed to ensure vibrant economic futures for their cities and towns. The Program focuses on issue areas that are essential to economic competiveness in the 21st economy – global economic linkages, small business development and entrepreneurship, workforce development and economic development leadership.
The Economic Development Program provides practical resources tailored for local elected officials, economic development staff, and other key stakeholders. Resources include case studies of promising programs, strategy guides, commentary on current events, and networking and learning opportunities. The Program also offers applied research and policy analysis on local economic development conditions and trends.
Economic Development Program Issue Areas
Global Economic Linkages
City leaders are increasingly embracing global economic linkages as viable sources of local economic growth. NLC helps local leaders understand the global economy in the context of their local and regional realities and develop capacity to expand international trade and attract foreign investment.
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the drivers of job creation and innovation in most local economies. NLC helps city leaders understand the needs of their business community, implement targeted policies and leverage strategic partnerships to help entrepreneurs and small businesses thrive.
Workforce Development
A skilled, educated workforce is an essential component of a strong and growing local economy. NLC offers research and resources to help city leaders connect workforce development and economic development efforts.
Economic Development Leadership
City leaders play a key role in economic development by establishing a locally-based vision and implementing this vision with coordinated public policies. NLC offers research on city economic conditions and resources on retail and downtown redevelopment, business attraction and retention, and public-private partnerships and planning.