The Enterprise and Economic Development Glossary a resource of the .network library

economic development:

... a monitored, managed, or encouraged process of change brought about by enterprise development combined with the creation of wealth; Economic growth in a location gained from an influx of capital put to use for the common good of those who live and work together in the area; that which results from the startup or expansion of enterprise operations in a community.

One more: Economic Development is the acclaimed results of decisions made by members of the core user group of The Network after they are assisted by economic developers.

There are many more explanations of what economic development is than the three variations of its definitions in the first paragraph. Access About Economic Development for a selection of the best definitions, most of are from sources directly involved in the process.

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economic developer

... a person engaged directly in a ... specialized form of marketing; a member of the group of resource and service providers essential for moving enterprise development that leads to economic development forward—project by project, opportunity by opportunity.

Economic development practitioners monitor occurrences within the enterprise and economic development process in addition to marketing locations. Most practitioners working as representatives of places seeking economic development provide services to prospects. As area and local development representatives they are .network user contacts. They are also members of the .network core user group.

The basic service provided by area and local development representatives involves organizing and supplying information. Enterprise developers and site selectors need facts in order to make decisions about investing in places seeking economic development.

The savvy economic developer maintains a network and a local team of people who can get things done. The most successful economic developers know how to cut red tape. According to one authoritative source, an advisor on how to market locations, the best economic developers, are ... first and foremost, skilled political players.

Some economic developers are provided credentials by associations or institutions and attach initials as suffix titles to their names for recognition. Initials, such as CEcD, that stand for certified economic developer. One typically acquires credentials by completing a course of study under academic supervision. Also residential are obtained through recognition of experience and leadership. Area and local development representatives<, some working as volunteers, have to demonstrate that they know how to get things done with or without credentials.

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The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is credited with posting the following information at www.planetizen.com in 2008:

... You have the experience, skills and knowledge of a great economic developer. Now get recognized for your achievements by starting on the path of becoming a CEcD. IEDC’s education courses are the first step! (source)

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