2024 Wisconsin Basic Economic Development Course

Course Dates: May 6 – 9, 2024

Location: Classes will be held in Eau Claire, WI at the Chippewa Valley Technical College in the Business Education Center is located on our Eau Claire Clairemont Campus. The building address is 620 West Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, WI  54701 

Who Should Attend? Economic developers, public officials, young professionals in economic development or related industries, ACRE alumni, members of Wisconsin’s EDB Coalition, and others who want an intensive “basic” overview of economic development concepts, methods, strategies, and practices.  

What Will Be Covered:

  • What is economic development and what is the role of an economic developer
  • Managing a local economic development organization
  • Ethics
  • Growing from within – small business development & entrepreneurship
  • Marketing & attraction
  • Community & neighborhood development
  • Strategic planning for economic development
  • Workforce development
  • Business finance
  • Real estate development & reuse

About The Course:

Graduation from the Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC) fulfills one of the prerequisites for those who wish to pursue the Certified Economic Developer Designation (CEcD) through the International Economic Development Council. The BEDC is designed to provide an understanding of the basic concepts, theories, methods and practice of economic development and will be taught by many of Wisconsin’s top economic development professionals. The course will begin mid afternoon on Monday and end at 12:00 PM on Thursday. In order to receive full IEDC certification credit for this course and a certificate indicating course completion, participants must attend the entire course and stay through the final session on the last day. Please make travel plans accordingly.

BEDC Tuition:

The fee for the four-day course is $799 for WEDA members and $1,149 for non-members. A limited number of BEDC scholarships may be available for the 2024 course for individuals with financial need, small and rural communities, and non-profits. For more information about scholarships, please contact WEDA at mperry@weda.org

Hotel Information: Special Group Rate: will be published soon.

Hosted by: The BEDC is hosted by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) , Wisconsin Economic Development Institute and Wisconsin Economic Development Association.