C2ER Quarterly – 2026 Spring Edition

 

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2026 – Spring Edition

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In This Issue:

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  • Are You Ready for Memphis?
  • Practical Pre-Conference Training for Practitioners
  • Additional Events and Training
  • Research and News from our Members 
  • C2ER Welcomes New and Renewed Members 
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LEARN

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Are You Ready for Memphis?

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The 66th C2ER + LMI Institute Annual Conference isn’t just sessions and keynotes, it’s your chance to see economic and workforce strategy in action. Our four Off‑Site Learning Labs take you inside real Memphis projects, partnerships, and redevelopment efforts you can learn from and bring home. These tours are only available to registered attendees, so now is the time to secure your spot.

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Inside the Memphis Medical District: A Guided Transformation Tour

Join us for an exclusive Discover the District Tour hosted in partnership with the Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC). Gain insights into real-world applications of economic research, revitalization strategies, and public-private partnerships transforming this vital connector between Downtown and Midtown Memphis.

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Revitalization in Action: Crosstown Concourse and the Rebirth of a Neighborhood

This guided tour explores the transformation of the historic Sears Crosstown building, originally opened in 1927 as a major regional distribution center and one of Memphis’s premier shopping destinations, often called the “Wish Building” for the dreams it fulfilled for generations of visitors. The tour provides insight into how thoughtful redevelopment has revitalized the area, supported local jobs, and created a mixed-use hub for living, working, learning, and cultural engagement.

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Inside Memphis’ Cultural Economy – Museums, Creativity, and Community Impact

This immersive learning lab explores how Memphis’ cultural institutions fuel economic vitality, creative entrepreneurship, and community identity. Through behind‑the‑scenes access, participants will examine the financial, operational, and strategic realities of running major arts organizations, and see firsthand how cultural assets shape regional development.

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Downtown Memphis Walking Tour: Small Business & Incentives

Join the Downtown Memphis Commission for a guided walking tour through downtown Memphis, highlighting how incentives support small business growth and revitalization. The tour will also include a stop at Tom Lee Park, an award-winning riverfront space that showcases the impact of placemaking on economic development and quality of life.

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Practical PreConference Training for Practitioners

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Are you attending the C2ER + LMI Institute Conference from June 17-19? Arrive a day early to attend this pre-conference training course.

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Proving and Sharing Your Impact: Practical Tools and AI Techniques for Practitioners

This AI, Python, and Workforce Development Workshop is a targeted program integrating AI-powered development tools with essential Python skills.

The structure ensures professionals graspboth the technical leverage and the strategic implications of this technology, equipping them to implement AI-enhanced coding practices within their teams and talent strategy.

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COLI Updates

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Data for C2ER’s Quarterly Cost of Living Index will be updated by the end of May 2026. Get a preview of the data in the recent Press Release. In addition, the COLI Adjusted Occupational Wage Comparison Tool was recently updated alongside all of C2ER’s County-Level Index products.

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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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Allegheny Conference on Community Development:  Allegheny County Projects Awarded $11M in Economic Development, Tourism Grants

Amarillo Economic Development Corporation: World’s Largest Private Grid, Fermi America™ to File Additional 5GW Clean Air Permit for Project Matador with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Upsizing Campus Projections to 17GW of Private Power

Arizona Commerce Authority: $7 Billion Development Halo Vista Breaks Ground Next to TSMC Chip Plant in North Phoenix

Arkansas Economic Development Commission: More Arkansas Businesses Eligible for Government Contracts in 2026 Thanks to APEX

Central Indiana Corporate Partnership: Braun: $1 Billion Investment Aimed at Creating 100,000+ Jobs in Indiana Agricultural, Life Sciences Industry

Danville Office of Economic Development: Danville to Host Southern Virginia Business & Procurement Experience

Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina: Business is Booming in North Carolina. Here’s Why the Trend Could Continue

Georgia Department of Economic Development: UCB to Build $2 billion Biologics Manufacturing Facility in Gwinnett, Creating 330+ jobs

Invest Buffalo Niagara: Buffalo to Host National Summit on Workforce Recruitment and Talent in 2026

Maryland Department of Commerce: Visiting Maryland Official Pitches Taiwan on Investing in Her State

New York State Department of Economic Development: New York Department of State Announces Completion Of $3.85m Innovation Hub at College Of Staten Island

Purdue University (book): Economic Competitiveness: A Literature Review of Clusters, Innovation and Networks

Smart Incentives – Communicating the Impact of Innovation  

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CONNECT

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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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  • Dancy Research
  • Greater Nashville Regional Council
  • Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance
  • Otsego County Economic Alliance
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  • PwC Global
  • University of California Cooperative Extension
  • Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas
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Not a C2ER member? 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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