Heartland Economic Development Course Provides Intensive Professional Development

posted on Friday, April 26, 2019 in Blog

WATERLOO,IA – Jim Schaefer, Director of Investor Relations, of Grow Cedar Valley was one of 88 economic development professionals to attend the Heartland Economic Development Course (HEDC) April 22-26, 2019 in Blue Springs, Missouri. This trip was made possible thanks to a tuition scholarship from MidAmerican Energy Company's Local Partnership Program. Heartland attendees receive fundamental economic development training on topics ranging from business, retention and expansion, workforce development, real estate and entrepreneurship to marketing, finance, ethics and managing economic development organizations.

The 2019 HEDC Class includes representatives from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and South Dakota trained by nationally recognized faculty from within the profession of economic development. HEDC is coordinated by the institute for Decision Making at the University of Northern Iowa and is accredited by the International Economic Development Council.

“Heartland students experience a variety of presentations, best practices and networking opportunities that they can apply back in their own organizations and communities,” Says Allen Kunkle, CEcD, HEDC Board Chair. “Heartland provides a solid foundation upon which each developer can build their base knowledge and experience.”

The Heartland Economic Development Course is a partnership of the Kansas Economic Development Alliance, Professional Developers of Iowa, Missouri Economic Development Council, Nebraska Economic Developer's Association, South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development, and the Oklahoma Professional Economic Development Association.

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