The document explores future economic development through four key pillars: business attraction, workforce development, entrepreneurship support, and community transformation. It highlights initiatives such as Walmart's commitment to American manufacturing, Mid America’s workforce development plan, and the importance of infrastructure for entrepreneurship. Additionally, it discusses the role of healthcare in economic growth, the influence of young professionals, and the necessity for efficient intermodal transport systems.

1. explore the
future of
economic
development
with IEDC
iedconline.org/futureforum

2. the four
pillars
of future
economic
development

3. prosperity
1
Business Attraction
and Business Retention
and Expansion

4. Driving Reshoring and
Manufacturing Job Creation
Economic developers are anxious to support American
manufacturers, large and small.
Example: Walmart has a “Made in America”
initiative. By 2023, Walmart has pledged to purchase
approximately $250 billion in products that support
the creation of American jobs.

5. Skills2
workforce
development and
education

6. Companies are focused on workforce development.
Example: Mid America is initiating a workforce
development plan that revolves around on-site
training partners and active community outreach
to engage high school students and increase career
awareness around opportunities with businesses
operating in the park.
Example: Macy’s is making efforts to create a
corporate culture that facilitates the attraction and
retention of talent.
Talent Attraction and
Retention in the Distribution
and Logistics Industry

7. innovation3
supporting
entrepreneurship
and small business

8. Economic developer should act as a
broker of information and resources
needed by entrepreneurs by:
• Providing technical assistance, education,
and training
• Assisting with marketing, including gauging new or
existing markets
• Facilitating technology transfer
• Improving access to capital and help develop
financial alternatives
• Reducing disincentives and barriers to entrepreneurship.
Ease of entry into business is a primary determinant of
initial stimulation. Government regulations and community
attitudes often serve as early warning signs to would-be
business owners that the barriers are too great.

9. • Investing in basic infrastructure by building a network of
entrepreneurial service providers
• Providing recognition and awareness of successful
entrepreneurial ventures as a means of eliciting
community support.
• Providing tests for entrepreneurship and assess
client potential
• Providing legal information on permits, zoning laws, etc.
• Providing information on the market and demographics
• Highlighting and celebrating entrepreneurial success stories
in order to promote more community-based entrepreneurship
Economic developer should act as a
broker of information and resources
needed by entrepreneurs by:

10. Example: Dixie Agostino is the Founder and CEO
of SwtichGear. SwitchGear, a talent recruiting firm,
has been recognized in national publications as an
outstanding organization with limitless potential.
Example: Robin Smith is the Co-Founder and CEO
of WeGoLook. Her desire to bolster confidence in
purchase decisions by online consumers led her
to found WeGoLook, a crowd-sourced verification
platform utilized across every industry, the
“uber of inspections.”
Supporting Women
Entrepreneurs

11. livability4
Economic and
Community
Transformation

12. Example: The George Kaiser Family
Foundation has been instrumental in the
development of A Gathering Place for Tulsa.
A Gathering Place for Tulsa will transform
nearly 100 acres of Tulsa’s waterfront along
the Arkansas River into a dynamic and active
space and will serve as the largest private
donation for a public park in U.S. history.
The Role of Place in
Economic Development

13. hot topics
and trends
in the future
of economic
development

14. Communities Taking Flight
Women in STEM Industries
The Healthcare Industry
Immigrant Entrepreneurs
Collaborating for Shared Prosperity
Staying Young ForeveR
Water + Energy + Food = Prospects
Data Matters in Site Selection
Becoming a Magnet for Corporate
Headquarters
Intermodal Transport

15. Growing a healthcare industry in your community
pay dividends – not only for the strong growth
potential of the industry, but because accessible
and affordable healthcare is an important
prerequisite in company location decisions. The
focus for the healthcare industry in the coming
years will be on offering better value, access and
outcomes, and these trends will be evident in the
types of real estate needed, partnerships created,
technology utilized and workforce trained.
Dual Imperative: Using Healthcare
as a Catalyst for Growth

16. Young professionals have a vested interest in
seeing their communities become excellent
places to live, work and play. Many EDOs have
been facilitating and nurturing the development
of young professional organizations, and have
seen positive changes in economic development
as a result. From serving as an advocate and
voice in attracting new businesses, to being a
magnet for attracting additional talent to your
city, well organized young professional groups
can boost the economic activity and quality of
life in their communities.
All for One, and One for All:
Harnessing Young Energy to
Empower Your Community

17. Intermodal Transport:
Laying the Path for Economic
Development Opportunities
Efficient intermodal systems to move goods from
one location to the next are essential to building
and maintaining strong economies. Economic
developers with an established intermodal
cluster in their communities, and those looking
to develop them, should be aware of the trends
impacting this industry -- trends including
consumers’ affinity for e-commerce, the role of
technology in the transportation and logistics
industry, and the needs of companies that are
reshoring jobs from overseas.

18. 5 more
reasons you
should attend
iedc’s 2016
economic
future forum

19. 1. professional development
opportunities

20. 1. professional development
opportunities
2. hear from the biggest names
in economic development

21. economic
future
forum will
feature
over 60
speakers

22. Principal Chief
Cherokee Nation
Tahlequah, OK
bill john baker
For Baker’s full bio visit our
website: www.iedcevents.org/
FutureForum/Speakers.html
iedc’s 2016 economic future
forum speaker spotlight

23. 1. professional development
opportunities
2. hear from the biggest names
in economic development
3. numerous networking
opportunities

25. 1. professional development
opportunities
2. hear from the biggest names
in economic development
3. numerous networking
opportunities
4. a chance to experience and
explore tulsa, ok

26. iedc is offering different
tours around the city

27. 1. professional development
opportunities
2. hear from the biggest names
in economic development
3. numerous networking
opportunities
4. a chance to experience and
explore tulsa, ok
5. save on registration until
may 13

28. for more
information
visit:
iedconline.org/
futureforum