The Ohio Basic Economic Development Course (OHIO BEDC) is an intensive training experience for economic development practitioners, community leaders, local government officials, and others committed to building healthy economies for their communities.

Typically held once per year, the Basic Course is a can’t miss education opportunity for those who are new to the profession, have new economic development responsibilities, or will be an economic development decision maker as an elected or appointed official.

The Ohio Economic Development Institute (OEDI) is a unique continuing education program designed to meet the specific needs of Ohio’s intermediate and advanced economic development professionals. Developed in partnership with JobsOhio and Ohio University Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, OEDI offers high quality, state-specific continuing education opportunities.

OEDI will offer five Core Courses that cover the necessary skills for economic development professionals, including Business Retention and Expansion, Finance and Incentives, Real Estate Development, Workforce and Talent, and Site Development and Site Selection. The state-specific curriculum is designed to prepare professionals and the organizations they serve to be successful and win in the highly competitive state and global economic environment. OEDI also serves as the pathway for achieving the Ohio Certified Economic Developer (Ohio CED) credential.

The Finance & Incentives Course is an intensive two-day program designed to equip economic development professionals with the tools and expertise needed to leverage Ohio’s finance and incentive programs effectively. Featuring expert instruction, case studies, panels, and experiential learning, participants gain practical insights into both public and private sector deal structuring.

Highlights:

• Knowledge: Deep dives into Ohio-specific tools, programs, and case studies.
• Networking: Build connections with top professionals and leaders in the field.
• Topics: Access to Capital, Tax Increment Financing, JobsOhio Programs, Incentive ROI, and more.

Stay current with the latest tools and strategies to succeed in Ohio’s competitive economic development landscape.

The BRE Course is a dynamic two-day program designed to empower economic development professionals with the tools and strategies to support, grow, and retain businesses in their communities. This interactive course combines expert instruction, hands-on activities, panels, and case studies to deliver actionable insights and foster collaboration among participants.

Highlights:

• Knowledge: Learn to create, refine, and manage BRE programs that adapt to evolving business needs and trends. Topics include leveraging community resources, engaging JobsOhio sector teams, and aligning with statewide economic goals.
• Networking: Build connections with regional, state, and industry partners while engaging with top economic development professionals.
• Topics: Workforce Dynamics, BRE Objectives, Industry Trends, Branding & Marketing for BRE, and more.

Engage with peers, refine your strategies, and leave with practical tools to drive growth and success in your community.

The Site Selection & Development Course is a comprehensive two-day program designed to equip economic development professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to prepare competitive, shovel-ready sites and navigate the site selection process. Combining expert instruction with practical case studies and interactive sessions, this course ensures participants are ready to address the latest challenges and opportunities in site development and selection.

Highlights:

• Knowledge: Gain insights into the JobsOhio site selection program, SiteOhio certification, the Ohio Future Fund, and strategies for collaborating with site selectors and consultants.
• Networking: Build connections with industry experts and peers while exploring best practices for advancing your community’s competitiveness.
• Topics: Infrastructure and utilities, RFP data integrity, site visits, maintaining site pipelines, and more.

Stay ahead of the curve in site development and selection to position your community for success.

The Real Estate Development & Redevelopment Course is an engaging two-day program designed to provide economic development professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the real estate development process, from concept to completion. This course combines expert instruction, interactive discussions, and case studies to equip participants with the tools needed to evaluate, finance, and advance projects in their communities.

Highlights:

• Knowledge: Explore critical stages of development, from due diligence to property management, while learning to assess project feasibility, navigate financing, and overcome development challenges.
• Networking: Engage with top professionals in real estate and economic development, fostering valuable connections through interactive sessions and group activities.
• Topics: Market and financial feasibility, public-private partnerships, ownership structures, risk mitigation, financial proformas, and more.

Develop the expertise to thoughtfully approach real estate deals, secure and close projects, and drive successful development in your community.

The Workforce and Talent Course is a two-day program focused on equipping economic development professionals with the knowledge and tools to address workforce challenges and opportunities in their communities. Through expert instruction, interactive learning, and case studies, participants will explore strategies to meet the workforce needs of businesses while leveraging Ohio-specific programs and resources.

Highlights:

• Knowledge: Understand workforce development as a core economic development strategy, explore effective partnerships, and learn how to leverage data and community assets to build impactful workforce programs.
• Networking: Connect with leading workforce and economic development professionals while engaging in hands-on learning and discussion.
• Topics: Workforce development strategies, Ohio workforce players, industry sector partnerships, K-12 workforce pipelines, and JobsOhio programs.

Stay ahead with the latest industry trends and best practices to drive workforce and talent solutions in your community.

The Ohio Certified Economic Developer (Ohio CED) credential is designed to demonstrate the depth and breadth of an individual’s knowledge and their ability to apply that knowledge to the benefit of their community or organization.  The Ohio CED designation also represents the economic development practitioner’s commitment to advancing the Ohio economy and elevating the economic development profession.

The Ohio Certified Economic Developer is a voluntary certification for practitioners who choose to demonstrate their advanced knowledge and training. To become a candidate for certification, an economic development professional must have successfully completed the Ohio Basic Economic Development Course or have three years of full time economic development experience.