Economic Development Course: Establishing the Foundation

Economic development is the heartbeat of thriving communities. This foundational course, delivered by the Economic Developers of Alberta (EDA) Institute, offers the keys to unlock its potential.

Participants will:

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of economic development concepts, including Community Economic Development (CED).

• Identify the roles and responsibilities of Economic Development Officers.

• Learn to develop strategic economic development plans, including setting SMARTER goals, analyzing local economies, and leveraging data and research for informed decision-making.

• Explore various economic development strategies, such as Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E), Business Investment and Attraction (BI&A), workforce initiatives, tourism importance, and effective marketing.

• Understand the significance of collaboration and partnerships in economic development, including building community capacity and leveraging relationships for funding opportunities and incentive programs.

• Learn to evaluate economic development outcomes through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), logic models, and assessing strategy effectiveness.

• Explore fostering community economic resilience, including understanding different types of disasters, developing resilience-building strategies, and supporting long-term community sustainability.
  

A coffee break, morning snacks and lunch will be provided.

CAEP Member Organizations: Free Registration for up to 2 Individuals

Non-CAEP Members: $350

Deadline to Register: March 17, 2026