Build practical economic development skills in strategy, finance, workforce, business retention, real estate, marketing, and attraction. Learn in person from field leaders while preparing for the Certified Economic Developer pathway.
Course Snapshot
| Format | Registration Fee | Schedule | Access Details | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live In-Person | $895 | November 16 - 18, 2026 | Course materials available for up to 1 year after enrollment | Build practical economic development skills in strategy, finance, workforce, business retention, real estate, marketing, and attraction. Learn in person from field leaders while preparing for the Certified Economic Developer pathway. |
Course Overview
The Basic Economic Development Course gives professionals the foundation they need to support community growth, business attraction, and economic resilience.
Over three in-person days, you will study core areas of economic development, including strategic planning, development finance, workforce development, business retention and expansion, real estate development, ethics, and marketing.
The course also supports professionals pursuing the Certified Economic Developer credential by strengthening the knowledge base used across the field.
Skills You'll Gain
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Create economic development strategies that support sustainable community growth.
- Apply development finance concepts to projects and initiatives.
- Use neighborhood development strategies to improve quality of life.
- Connect workforce development needs to local economic goals.
- Assess real estate development and reuse opportunities.
- Support business retention, expansion, marketing, and attraction efforts.
- Recognize ethical issues and conflicts of interest in economic development decisions.
- Lead economic development teams and organizations with greater confidence.
Tools and Details
Tools You'll Use
- Strategic planning approaches.
- Development finance models.
- Workforce development planning concepts.
- Business retention and expansion techniques.
- Real estate development and reuse frameworks.
- Marketing and attraction strategies.
- Ethics and conflict-of-interest decision tools.
Topics You'll Cover
- Strategic planning.
- Economic development finance.
- Neighborhood development strategies.
- Workforce development.
- Real estate development and reuse.
- Business retention and expansion.
- Managing economic development organizations.
- Entrepreneurial and small business strategies.
- Ethics in economic development.
- Marketing and attraction.
What You'll Walk Away With
- Practical skills in economic development planning, finance, workforce, and marketing.
- New connections with instructors and professionals in the field.
- A stronger foundation for the Certified Economic Developer pathway.
- Course materials you can review for up to one year after enrollment.
Who Should Enroll
- Economic development managers and specialists.
- Urban planners and public policy analysts.
- Real estate developers and corporate strategists.
- Government officials and staff.
- Professionals preparing for leadership roles in economic development.
The USF Difference
Learn From Field Leaders
The course is led by instructors with deep experience in economic development, giving participants practical context for the work they do in communities and organizations.
Build a Broad Foundation
The course connects planning, finance, workforce, real estate, small business support, ethics, and marketing so participants can see how economic development decisions work together.
Support Your CEcD Pathway
BEDC gives professionals a stronger foundation for the Certified Economic Developer pathway and helps them build credibility in the field.
Participant and Client Feedback
Employees at companies like these have trusted USF Corporate Training & Professional Education with their skills training and career advancement.
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