What is the proposed rule? On May 29, 2026, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in coordination with federal agencies, published a proposed rule titled "Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance" (OMB-2026-0034) in the Federal Register. If finalized, the proposal would significantly revise the federal grant management framework contained in

A Foundational Shift is Afoot Over the past few years, I’ve sensed a meaningful shift taking place across both the economic development and entrepreneurial ecosystem building fields. Conversations that once happened separately are increasingly beginning to intersect. Economic developers, ecosystem builders, workforce leaders, Main Street

Through our participation in the International Economic Development Council's inaugural Arizona Sustainable Economic Development Learning Lab, we — Erica Sturwold with Salt River Project (SRP) and Cameron Robb with Arizona Public Service (APS) — collaborated on a capstone project that transforms industrial transition into a vital economic development opportunity.

Using learnings from the course, we worked together to form a utility-led framework for sustainable economic development in decommissioned coal plant communities. The result is a model designed not only for Arizona, but for any utilities and communities across the country to adapt and replicate.

Congress has approved H.R. 6644, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a broad bipartisan housing package that combines housing supply, community development, disaster recovery, housing finance, and regulatory reform provisions. Background On June 23, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the final compromise version of the legislation following

IEDC is proud to announce a new cohort of certified Entrepreneurship Development Professionals (EDPs)! The EDP credential is designed to build capacity for those supporting entrepreneurship in their communities, and demonstrates the skills and expertise to steer communities through entrepreneurship-led economic development (ELED). "IEDC is proud to

Congress has begun work on reauthorizing federal surface transportation programs ahead of the September 30, 2026 expiration of current authorities. On May 22, 2026, the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved the BUILD America 250 Act (H.R. 8870) by a bipartisan vote of 62-2, advancing a five-year, $580 billion surface

With the House having passed its Farm Bill and Senate Republicans preparing to release their own proposal, attention is increasingly focused on the next phase of Farm Bill reauthorization. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) has indicated that Senate Republicans are working toward releasing legislative text and beginning committee

Photo courtesy of Louisiana Central As economic development continues to evolve, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: long-term economic vitality depends on stronger connections between economic development, education, workforce development, employers, and community leadership. That is the idea behind Rally Your Region, a new initiative launched by