C2ER Quarterly – 2026 Winter Edition

Research Matters - Bi-Weekly Update
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2026 – Winter Edition
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In This Issue:
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  • A Personal Invitation from the C2ER Chair
  • Build Your Breakthrough: Pre‑Conference Training for Practitioners 
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  • Additional Events and Training
  • Research and News from Our Members 
  • C2ER Welcomes New and Renewed Members 
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CONNECT
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A Personal Invitation from the C2ER Chair
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Dear Fellow C2ER Members:
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As your Board Chair this year, I would like to personally invite you to join us at the 66th C2ER + LMI Institute Conference. This meeting never fails to reward me not only professionally (where else can learn so much and bring home so many great ideas) but also personally, because C2ER and LMI Institute members are incredibly gifted and good people. I have made many true friends over the years who love data, food and fun. This is why this is my single favorite annual event.
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Picture it: The historic Peabody Hotel in Memphis. It’s early summer with warm days and breezy nights. Music is all around, the Mallards are chiming in, and the Mississippi keeps rollin’ along. And this is where we can all be this June celebrating The Blues and the Breakthroughs. Not only is Memphis Home of the Blues, but it has had its fair share of breakthroughs, from John Lee Hooker to Johnny Cash to Elvis Presley. We also plan on having major breakthroughs for our regions, with pre-conference training, robust breakouts, and inspiring keynotes.
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Think of it: The work we do will come together for 3 sweet days with the magic of Memphis. What more inspiration could we have to focus on the breakthroughs we are all making to bring data and research alive for our communities across the nation. We will be together, sharing our stories and skills with one another in a place that hums with inspiration.
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Do it: The C2ER + LMI Institute Annual Conference, from June 17 – 19, is a must-attend event for our members and aspirational members (invite your colleagues to join in). We’ll learn, we’ll laugh, and enjoy a communal experience like no other, with people who do what we do in their varied worlds where they are relied on to turn economic and workforce data into action. Who wouldn’t want to do that?
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Memphis, here we come!  
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Yours always,

Carol O. Rogers

Chair, C2ER Board of Directors
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LEARN
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Build Your Breakthrough:

Pre‑Conference Training for Practitioners
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The C2ER + LMI Institute Conference is held from June 17-19, but the real fun starts on June 16 with pre-conference training!

These courses were built for practitioners who want real, usable skills and concrete outputs they can apply immediately. Choose between one of the following high-impact training classes:
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Accelerated Talent Transformation via AI-Assisted Python Coding

Learn how to integrate AI-assisted Python workflows into real-world talent and workforce analysis. This training focuses on practical coding applications that help you work faster, analyze more deeply, and expand what your team can deliver.
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Proving and Sharing Your Impact: Practical Training for Practitioners

Strengthen your ability to demonstrate outcomes, communicate value to stakeholders, and align your work with organizational priorities. This course equips you with frameworks, examples, and tools you can immediately apply to reporting, storytelling, and decision support.
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Events
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Understanding Opportunity Zones

 

February 19, 2025

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET
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2026 C2ER + LMI Institute Conference

June 17 – 19, 2026

Memphis, TN
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eLearning Courses
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Foundations of Economic Development Research I:

Introduction to Data Sources

This three-hour self-paced eLearning course prepares novice economic development researchers to successfully guide regional development decisions through high-quality data. Completing this course will lay the groundwork for developing a regional economic profile, performing labor market analysis, conducting competitive market intelligence research, applying Census data to researching local employment, and presenting research findings.

More Information
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Foundations of Economic Development Research II:

Introduction to Regional Analysis Methods

This three-hour, video-based course, the second of the Foundations of Economic Development Research eLearning program, provides novice economic developers and researchers with a practical introduction to research methods, models, and tools to support state and regional economic development strategies. Course exercises demonstrate and reinforce the basic analytical skills needed to address real-world questions that policymakers and practitioners encounter.

More Information
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RESEARCH
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Research/News From Our Members
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Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance – Space Infrastructure Startup Mantis Space Selects Albuquerque for Headquarters and Manufacturing Hub

Allegheny Conference on Community Development – Eos Energy Relocates HQ + Expands Manufacturing Operations in Marshall Township (Allegheny County) — $352.9M Investment & 1,000 Jobs

Ann Arbor SPARK – Ann Arbor Among Six Michigan Communities Awarded Placemaking Grants

Ball State University – Ball State Establishes STEM Education Center to Grow Indiana’s STEM Teacher Pipeline

Birmingham Business Alliance – UAB Opens Biomedical Research and Innovation Center, Strengthening Birmingham’s Role in Health and Science

Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce – AKFA Aluminum Solutions to Establish First U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Bowling Green

Business Oregon – Business Oregon Awards $1.9 Million to Support Rural Communities and Entrepreneurs

Economic Development Commission of Florida Spacecoast – SATYS, a World Leader in Aircraft Painting, Expands North American Footprint on Florida’s Space Coast

Iowa Economic Development Authority – 10 Communities Receive $950,000 in Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants

Minnesota Dept of Employment and Economic Development – DEED Awards $17.3 Million for Workforce Development and Job Training
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New C2ER Members
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C2ER would like to thank and welcome our new and renewed members from the past quarter! We look forward to bringing you the tools, data, and training you need to make your job easier, help you develop professionally, and empower your region’s prosperity. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any suggestions or feedback.
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New Members
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  • SEDI Capital Group
  • FTI Consulting
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  • Dayton Development Coalition
  • Hong Kong Polytechnic University  
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Not a C2ER member?
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Become one today! With customizable benefits to meet your research needs, C2ER is THE organization for economic and workforce development researchers! 
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