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The C2ER Quarterly brings you deeper insight into our ongoing work and community accomplishments throughout the year. Explore the updates below and stay connected to the momentum.
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This summer, the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC) partnered with the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) to launch the Decision Maker Series, a webinar series designed for workforce boards, economic development organizations, and regional partners looking to strengthen their data practices, deepen collaboration, and communicate their regional impact more effectively. The series directly supports the missions of both C2ER and the LMI Institute by expanding data‑capacity building to a broader cross‑sector audience and reinforcing the value of high‑quality economic and labor market information in regional decision‑making.
Each webinar is accompanied by a tip sheet highlighting key themes and offering practical guidance for workforce and economic development professionals. Topics include building data capacity with limited resources, collaborating within your regional ecosystem, and communicating your region’s economic and workforce impact through data.
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Regional Data Connections Cohort Convenes in Washington, DC
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Two months into their six-month journey, four state teams gathered in Washington, DC on July 15–16 for the Regional Data Connections (RDC) Cohort’s in-person convening. Led by CREC and the LMI Institute, with support from the Ascendium Education Group, the cohort pairs state LMI agencies with their regional workforce development boards to make sub-state labor market data easier to produce, share, and use.
A clear message emerged from the two days: while state-produced LMI often rivals paid vendors in quality, the real gap is packaging, storytelling, and getting the right data to users when they need it. How people want to receive data is also shifting faster than the underlying products, with issues such as data suppression dominating the field.
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Each state is tackling a different piece of the puzzle. North Carolina and Texas are focused on sharpening how boards use and access data, New Jersey is building toward an AI-powered chatbot and dashboards, and Hawaii is working to expand collaboration in the state. Tune into the LMI Institute LinkedIn to follow each state’s progress and stay up to date on cohort happenings.
Interested in joining the next cohort in Spring 2027? The RDC cohort is available to both members and non-members across the C2ER and LMI Institute networks. If your state or organization isn’t yet part of the network and are looking to get involved, initiatives like the RDC Cohort are a great place to start. Reach out to Sarah Edwards at sedwards@crec.net.
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Senate Confirms Brett Matsumoto to Lead BLS
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics has a permanent leader again. The Senate confirmed longtime BLS economist Brett Matsumoto as Commissioner on August 7, putting an experienced statistical insider in charge at a consequential moment for the nation’s labor market data.
The Senate confirmed Matsumoto by a 51–47 vote for a four-year term. For C2ER members, the appointment matters because BLS data sit at the center of how states and regions understand employment, wages, inflation, productivity, and changing labor market conditions.
Matsumoto knows the agency from the inside. He joined BLS in 2015, has focused much of his work on economic measurement and inflation, and most recently served as a senior economist with the White House Council of Economic Advisers while on leave from BLS. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
He also takes over after an unusually turbulent year for the agency.
Continue Reading Here
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Be Part of the Momentum:
Help Shape the Organization You Belong To
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C2ER’s 2026-2027 committees are forming, and this is your moment to help guide the organization you’re a part of. Our committees are where members shape priorities, strengthen programs, and ensure C2ER continues delivering the value, connection, and professional growth our community relies on.
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Serving on a committee is one of the most direct ways to influence the member experience — and it only requires **one virtual meeting per quarter**. Your voice helps determine what C2ER builds, improves, and celebrates next.
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Your Membership, Your Impact
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Choose the space where you want to contribute:
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- Marketing & Member Experience: Help refine how we communicate, engage, and demonstrate the value of membership.
- Professional Development & Training: Shape the learning opportunities that support the growth of researchers across the country.
- Regional & State Chapter Networks: Strengthen local connections and help expand C2ER’s national community of practice.
- Product Development: Provide member‑driven insight on tools and resources, ensuring they meet real needs.
- Annual Conference: Influence the design and direction of C2ER’s flagship event.
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Sign‑Up Deadline: August 14, 2026
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Your membership matters, and your involvement makes it stronger.
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As a C2ER member, you play a vital role in shaping the experiences and opportunities our community shares. The 68th C2ER + LMI Institute Annual Conference in 2028 needs a host city and your region could be the one to welcome researchers, practitioners, and leaders from across the country for THE event of the year.
Hosting the conference is a chance to showcase your community’s strengths, highlight local innovation, and contribute directly to the continued growth of our network. Member‑driven leadership is at the heart of C2ER, and selecting a host city is one of the ways your involvement guides the organization’s future.
The C2ER Executive Committee reviews all submissions and evaluates prospective host locations based on established criteria before recommending a final site.
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Learn More & Submit Your Nomination
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Put your city forward and help shape the 2028 conference experience.
Applications are due by October 2, 2027.
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C2ER + UEDA: Exploring Next-Generation Tools for
Regional Competitiveness
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The University Economic Development Association (UEDA) warmly invites C2ER members to attend a UEDA pre-summit webinar, “Competitiveness in the United States: An Industry, Knowledge, and Skills Clusters Framework“, presented by the Purdue Center for Regional Development at Purdue University. This session kicks off the conversation ahead of our 2026 Annual Summit at Pensacola, Florida, December 2 – 4, co-hosted by the University of West Florida.
Webinar attendees will learn about how new cluster frameworks, developed through a U.S. EDA-funded project, support regional economic development and workforce planning with new metrics for more than 400 economic development districts nationwide. C2ER members will explore how these new datasets can strengthen regional competitiveness analyses, identify strategic growth opportunities, and support data-driven economic development and workforce strategies.
We hope you can join us August 27, 2026 from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET.
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9 New CERPs Awarded in 2026 (So Far…)
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The Certified Economic Research Professional (CERP) is the industry standard for recognizing excellence in economic research and embodies the applied skills of economic, demographic, industry, and workforce analysis. CERPs undertake rigorous evaluation of their research experience and leadership to earn this designation.
Congratulations to the following C2ER members who earned this designation since the start of 2026.
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Congratulations to the following C2ER members who have earned this designation since the start of 2026.
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- Reba Adams, Georgia Tech, Enterprise Innovation Institute, Atlanta, GA
- Abby Latture, Greater Memphis Chamber, Memphis, TN
- Paul Liu, Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness, Arlington, VA
- Somjita Mitra, California Department of Finance, Sacramento, CA
- Tecora Murray, Greater Memphis Chamber, Memphis, TN
- Fred Nyangaresi, JobsOhio, Columbus, OH
- Bob Pope, Wisconsin Bureau of Workforce Information and Technical Support (WITS), Madison, WI
- Nathan Ringham, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, Indianapolis, IN
- Melissa Sheldon, Ann Arbor SPARK, Ann Arbor, MI
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Interested in getting certified? Join us for two upcoming CERP presentations to see what the final step in the process looks like:
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The Economic Impact of Child Care Shortages in Missouri
August 26, 2026
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
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Beyond Economic Impact –
Evaluating the Coca-Cola Space Science Center as an Economic, STEM Workforce, and National Security Asset
September 9, 2026
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET
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To find out more about the CERP program here and see how many points you may have already towards certification.
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C2ER’s work is driven by a vibrant community of researchers, practitioners, and leaders shaping the future of economic and workforce development. If you’re not yet a member, or if your membership is coming up for renewal, now is the perfect time to stay part of the momentum.
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C2ER membership gives you:
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- Deeper insight into national research trends, tools, and methodologies
- Access to training that strengthens your professional skills
- A connected network of peers across states, regions, and organizations
- Exclusive member benefits including COLI, Incentives, and member‑only resources
- Recognition and visibility within a national community of experts
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Your support strengthens the work highlighted in every issue of the Quarterly — from ongoing research accomplishments to member stories and organizational impact.
Join or renew today and continue shaping the future of our field alongside us.
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Thank you to all the new and renewing C2ER members this quarter! We’re grateful to have you in our community. Your engagement helps power the tools, data, training, and connections that strengthen your work and support prosperity across regions. We’re always here to listen, so feel free to share your ideas or feedback anytime.
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- Memphis Medical District Collaborative
- Metro Social Services
- RMI
- Schunk Group
- Tulsa Innovation Labs
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Connect with us on LinkedIn!
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