Regional Trends in State Business Incentives Programs

To maintain a competitive edge in attracting businesses, states develop their incentive programs to build on current strengths or fill gaps in economic development. Since incentive programs are catered to the needs of each state, regions’ programs differ in structure, type, and size. The specifics of a program may ultimately be the deciding factor for […]

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Welcome To the Conference: Equitable Growth for the Future

“Economic development is more than just trying to encourage growth; it’s about making a positive change throughout the community using data, so everybody wins.” Equitable growth for the future was the main idea highlighted in the Welcome Keynote address to kick off the C2ER/LMI Institute’s 62nd annual conference in Columbus, Ohio on June 14. The […]

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C2ER Helps Economic Development Professionals Grow – Drew Conrad

In 2004, Drew Conrad from the Institute for Decision Making at the University of Northern Iowa attended his first C2ER Annual Conference. His research manager and former C2ER Board member, Cindy Angel, encouraged their team to attend the annual conference and professional development training courses, as the University has been long-time members of—and advocates for—C2ER. […]

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State Incentives: SSBCI Program Recap and Overview

State Incentives: SSBCI Program Recap and Overview In 2010, President Obama signed into law the Small Business Jobs Act, which created the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Functioning as a recovery response to the Great Recession, it delivered $1.5 billion in capital to small businesses. Federally, SSBCI phased out in 2017. Nevertheless, after more […]

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State Incentive Program Trends: Broadband Expansion

To ensure equitable access to broadband internet and spur economic development in underserved communities, many states offer incentive programs to for-profit businesses, local governments, and/or non-profit organizations to expand broadband internet access throughout the state. The incentives can take a variety of forms. Some states offer specific tax credits relating to broadband infrastructure development, like […]

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COVID-19 & The Labor Market: Equitable Recovery Through Human Infrastructure

Dr. Angela Jackson opened C2ER’s panel entitled Gender, Race, and Ethnicity: The impact of COVID-19 on the Labor Market Recession and Recovery. Dr. Jackson has led New Profit’s Future of Work Initiative, a movement seeking to close the career-readiness gap for Americans from low-income backgrounds. She recently launched a $6 million Future of Work Grand […]

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Federal Partners Panel: An Update from Agency Leaders

Dr. Mary Bohman, Acting Director and Deputy Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Dr. William Beach, Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and Dr. Ron Jarmin, Acting Director of the U.S. Census Bureau, gathered at the 61st Annual C2ER Conference and LMI Institute Forum’s Federal Partners Panel event to discuss […]

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Economic Development Items to Watch in the American Rescue Plan

C2ER’s Executive Director Ken Poole summarizes the economic development impacts on the 2021 American Rescue Plan: The American Rescue Plan proposed by President Biden and currently being considered in the U.S. House would provide $1.9 trillion in economic relief.  While the proposed $1,400 stimulus checks and the national vaccination plan are getting most of the […]

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New Workforce Development Programs Reflect Importance and Need for Training and Talent Development

By Chelsea Thomson Even before the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest, states incentivized employers to support those out of work and provide opportunities for occupational advancement, especially for marginalized communities and ones characterized by historic divestment.  These programs are crucial for getting people back into the labor market and providing the opportunities for reskilling and […]

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