The NADO Research Foundation hosted “An Afternoon with the Districts” in March 2024 as part of its Economic Development District Community of Practice. This event brought together nearly 80 participants for an afternoon of networking and data and metrics training
This resource provides tips and best practices drawn from the experiences of EDD staff who have managed fee-for-service or contract planning services in their member communities. While the EDDs featured operate in the Southeast, their lessons can apply broadly to districts across the country
A career with an EDD or RDO offers the chance to make a meaningful, lasting impact on the communities and regions you serve. In this video, you’ll hear from four experienced leaders in regional economic development as they reflect on their career paths, the impact of their work, and what it takes to succeed in the field.
2025-2030 Strategic Plan This report presents a strategic plan designed to guide the future organizational development of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). The
2026-2028 NADO Board of Directors The NADO Board of Directors oversees the association’s budget and operations and develops policy on issues affecting Regional Development Organizations
This case study demonstrates how University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service (UADA Extension) partners with all eight EDA-designated Economic Development Districts in Arkansas to strengthen regional capacity, with a focus on its long-standing collaboration with the Western Arkansas Planning and Development District (WAPDD). It highlights how coordinated efforts in training, data sharing, and community facilitation have evolved into a scalable, locally rooted model for university–EDD partnerships.
In 2023, Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments (UCPCOG) in eastern North Carolina received funding to hire a dedicated staff member to establish a Community Forestry Program. The new position allowed UCPCOG to expand its regional service offerings and respond to growing member interest in urban and community forestry as a tool to support livability, resilience, and local capacity building, particularly in economically distressed communities with limited staff and resources.
This webinar showed how cluster strategies align business, workforce, and public investment, shared real examples from Economic Development District staff using cluster analysis, and outlined practical steps for regions to launch or strengthen their own cluster initiatives.
This resource page includes a variety of information on Opportunity Zones, including background information, updates on the designation process, mapping and data tools to support informed planning and decision making, and materials about local planning and implementation considerations.
On June 3, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing on “The Federal Highway Administration’s Proposed FY2027 Budget.”
On May 29, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced a proposed rule for a sweeping revision of government-wide federal financial assistance rules (2 CFR), covering grants, cooperative agreements and related awards across dozens of agencies. The rule would require conforming changes by agencies including the departments of Agriculture, State, Energy, Treasury, Transportation, Commerce, Interior, Labor, Education, Environmental Protection Agency and others.