OEDA Announces 2023 Economic Development Education and Training Opportunities

By Mark Barbash

The Ohio Economic Development Institute (OEDI) has released the updated 2023 Core Course schedule.

OEDI will offer its five Core Courses beginning this spring and continuing into late fall. The Core Courses  cover foundational topics and teach critical skills for economic development professionals.

• Business Retention & Expansion: May 25 – 26, 2023
• Site Development & Site Selection: June 15 – 26, 2023
• Real Estate Development: July 20 – 21, 2023
• Workforce and Talent: October 19 – 20, 2023
• Finance and Incentives: November 16 – 17, 2023

Each core course is an intensive two-day, in-person knowledge and skill-building training. The courses are specifically designed to deliver valuable continuing education to the intermediate and advanced professional.

Because of the program’s rigor, completion of the Ohio Basic Economic Development Course* (OBEDC) or three years of experience are required to be eligible for these courses.

The Core Courses are taught by experienced local, state, and national economic development practitioners and business leaders. The faculty includes representatives from JobsOhio, the Ohio Department of Development,  the six regional JobsOhio Network Partners, the International Economic Development Council, Ohio’s leading industries and the state’s universities.  Courses are focused on practical case studies, team activities, and dialogue with a wide range of best-in-class economic developers in each field.

Ohio has a unique economic development structure and ecosystem. As a state-specific program, OEDI’s Core Courses focus on the practice of economic development in Ohio. Participants learn how to use Ohio tools and programs, grow their understanding of Ohio’s major industry sectors and economic development partners, and benefit from deep dives into Ohio projects through case studies from all around the state.

Registration will open on Monday, March 6, 2023.  Take advantage of early-bird pricing to lock in last year’s rates of $499 for members and $599 for non-members. Multi-course discounts will also be available.

Be sure to visit OEDA’s website for more information and to register.  Click on Attend an Event in the upper left corner of the homepage. 

* Please note, professionals who successfully complete the 2023 OBEDC, which is being held May 1-4, are eligible for this year’s Core Courses.  Those planning to take the 2023 Business Retention & Expansion or Site Development & Site Selection Course this year, should consider registering for the courses before then.  Core Courses often “sell-out” several weeks in advance and it is possible those courses will be full if they wait until May to register.

OEDI is the professional development program for the Ohio Economic Development Association. OEDA’s professional development courses are possible because of the generous and continuing support of JobsOhio. OEDA’s partner is the Ohio University Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service.