Building upon the importance for strategic planning and community building in a complex race for economic growth, learn about the key components of the region’s competitive position, how we choose target industries, and the tools that economic developers use to track that position and evaluate our potential for success and areas in need of improvement. This session will touch on things like economic indicators, business climate, workforce and talent, and much more.

SPEAKER: Chad Matheson, Senior Vice President, AREA (click for bio)

Session 2 Presentation Slides

Additional Reading and Reference Materials:

1. Upgrading Regional Economic Indicators (Brookings)
2. Best and Worst States for Health Care
3. 5 Workforce Factors to Consider in Site Selection
4. Virginia’s Big Bet on Talent
5. Raising the Labor Force Participation Rate
6. Americans Moving to Low-Tax States _ Tax Foundation

BIOSCIENCES:
2,000 Acre Life Sciences Development in Georgia
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE:
Top States for Aerospace
Expansion of the Space Economy
Top Locations for Aerospace Manufacturing

How does a ‘deal’ happen, anyway? When and how do economic development organizations find ‘leads’ and connect clients? Why are Nondisclosure Agreements important? What does a typical proposal from AREA to a client LOOK like, anyway? What typically happens on a site visit? And why in the WORLD do we care about site selectors, and how do we engage with them? Unlock all of these mysteries and more!

SPEAKER: Aida Roberts, Vice President of Business Development, AREA (click for bio)

Session 3 Presentation Slides

Additional Reading and Reference Materials:

1. 20th Annual Rankings Report_ 2024 State Rankings
2. Best & Worst States_ ‘Mr. Wonderful’ Is Now Endorsing Entire States, Not Just Startups
3. Site Selection Group – 2024 Economic Incentives U.S. Market Report
4. Rivian taps brakes on plan to build $5B EV plant in rural Georgia
5. An Innovative P3 for a Multibillion-Dollar Medical Center – Area Development
6. U.S. Site Selection Profile_ Life Sciences
7. Potential and Limitations for AI in the Site Selection Industry
8. Engaging Local Stakeholders for Site Selection Success
9. Managing Community Sentiment and Activism
10. South Carolina Enacts Key Tax Credits to Boost Economic Development Efforts
11. Sacramento Approves framework for $321 million downtown Railyards soccer stadium and entertainment venue

Jay Garner, President & Founder of Garner Economics LLC, founding member and past chair of the board for the Site Selectors Guild and co-author of the Amazon bestseller Economic Development Is [STILL] Not For Amateurs!, (2nd edition) – a must-read book for community leaders on how to achieve economic development success – will join the program for a special presentation via zoom of the top factors influencing economic development success. At the end of the day, a few lucky winners will be drawn to receive copies of Jay’s book (must be present to win…)

READ JAY’S FULL BIO

With all of these considerations, what is the MOST important thing we can and should address to advance our economic competitiveness? What are some aspirational future priorities and initiatives that we should consider? Who out there is doing it REALLY well? Hear from a panel of local leaders reflecting on the keynote speaker’s comments and discussing top priorities for greater Albuquerque such as Site Readiness.

SPEAKERS: Stephen Jerge (Terracon); Joe Farr (Duke City Commercial); and Jason Espinoza (KW Consulting & NM IDEA).

Additional Reading and Reference Materials:

1. A Case for Site Readiness (AREA)
2. Mississippi unleashes $110 million to ready industrial sites for development
3. EXAMPLE: Buffalo, NY Investment Readiness
4. EXAMPLE: $90 Million for Site Readiness in VA
5. EXAMPLE: $65 million for Site Readiness in TN
6. The Case for Downtown
7. 10 Indicators of a Downtown Resurgence

Yes, it is true – there is a LOT of marketing in economic development. We have a large number of different audiences to reach, and we do so with a sniper approach. Learn about the overall considerations that economic develoment marketers must address, get a refresher on branding, and learn how we are working to market the region to numerous audiences from company decision makers, to site selectors, to top talent – and even our local community! Finally, learn how you can get involved in the effort.

SPEAKER: Erin Brubaker, Digital Media & Marketing Specialist, AREA (click for bio)

Session 4 Presentation Slides

Additional Reading and Reference Materials:

1. Talent Wars
2. Attracting and Retaining Talent (IEDC)

Local businesses create 80% or MORE of net new jobs in a community. They are also often the best source of insights as to the local business climate and what can be done to improve it, and can also help identify top target firms for attraction to the region. Did you know that AREA has been visiting local firms every year to offer assistance for more than 25 years, and that we offer free tools and training for companies seeking to expand? Learn about all of this, and some of our new exciting efforts underway to better connect labor analytics with future desired outcomes.

SPEAKER: Anita Campbell, AREA (click for bio)

Session 5 Presentation Slides

Additional Reading and Reference Materials:

1. AREA’s Existing Business Resource Guide
2. IEDC: How EDO’s Add Value Through Business Retention & Expansion
3. BRE Coach Playbook
4. How Garrett Development Corp. helped keep Array

Ok – so you are now a newly trained economic developer! Let’s put your skills and what you learned today to the test in a case study exercise to see if you have what it takes to change your community’s economy, bring and retain investment, and close the deal!

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Attendees present in person will break out into groups of no more than 10.
• Online participants: please review the case studies and come up with some thoughts on your own!
• Groups will have 30 minutes to create a ‘pitch presentation’ to win a company for the region.

Based on the company descriptions provided, pick one case study in your group and prepare a 3 to 5-minute pitch presentation on why that business should locate to greater Albuquerque. Use the printed Presentation Slide Template to create a ‘pitch deck’ to accompany your talking points. Your presentation should include information that addresses our regional competitiveness in fulfilling the client’s needs. Be sure to select a presenter wo will give the pitch to the full class!

CASE STUDY DESCRIPTIONS (try not to peek until it is time for breakouts!)