Partnership to strengthen Ohio’s economic development profession
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Economic Development Association has signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Economic Development Council. The agreement formalizes a partnership between Ohio’s statewide association for economic developers and the world’s largest association in the field.
Signed during IEDC’s centennial year, the agreement sets a framework for the two organizations to strengthen services to their members, advance the economic development profession, and help practitioners address the challenges and opportunities their communities face.
“IEDC does tremendous work advancing the practice and profession of economic development, both nationally and internationally, and I’m proud to strengthen our partnership through this agreement,” said David Zak, president and CEO of OEDA. “This is a win for both organizations. We want every OEDA member to know what IEDC has to offer, and I’m grateful to Nathan and his team for the work they’re doing for our field.”
For IEDC, the agreement strengthens its ties to one of the country’s five largest state economic development associations.
“Ohio has one of the strongest economic development communities in the country, and OEDA has long been a leader among state associations,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC’s president and CEO. “As we conclude our centennial year and look ahead to the next century of economic development, this partnership helps us bring IEDC’s research, training, and international network directly to Ohio practitioners. It also gives us a stronger link to the exemplary work happening in Ohio’s communities.”
Under the agreement, the two organizations will keep each other’s members informed about news and opportunities, bring IEDC leaders to OEDA events to share global perspectives with Ohio practitioners, and keep Ohio closely connected to the conversations shaping economic development far and wide.
The memorandum also leaves room for future collaboration in professional development, research, communications, events, and policy engagement.
###
About the Ohio Economic Development Association
The Ohio Economic Development Association is the voice of economic development for the state of Ohio. Formed in 2005 through the merger of the Ohio Development Association and the Ohio Economic Development Council, with roots in professional education dating to 1980, OEDA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization representing nearly 1,000 practitioners statewide. That makes it one of the country’s five largest state economic development associations. Members work in local, regional, and state government; port authorities; chambers of commerce; utilities; universities; and private firms that serve the field. Headquartered in Columbus, OEDA delivers professional education and the OhioCED certification through the Ohio Economic Development Institute, convenes the profession at its Annual Summit and Legislative Conference, advocates for the field before state policymakers, and provides weekly intelligence, networking, and peer connection to its members. Learn more at ohioeda.com.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council is the world’s largest association for economic developers. Founded a century ago, IEDC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization representing the entire economic development profession. Members work in local, state, provincial, and federal governments; public-private partnerships; chambers of commerce; universities; and other institutions. Headquartered in Washington, IEDC provides learning, networking, research, policy advocacy, partnerships, and other offerings to economic development professionals worldwide. Learn more at iedc.org.