Overview

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2026 Economic Development Training for the EDA Atlanta Region

July 21-23, 2026

(Tuesday-Thursday)

Grand Hyatt Buckhead
3300 Peachtree Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30305

From Tuesday, July 21 to Thursday, July 23, the 2026 Economic Development Training for the EDA Atlanta Region will bring together federal, state, regional, and local partners for timely conversations on economic resilience, regional collaboration, and strategies to strengthen communities within the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Atlanta Region. Attendees will gain practical insights from expert speakers, engage in meaningful peer discussions, and explore innovative approaches to advancing economic development in the southeast region.

Registration

Registration Type Registration Rate
Early Bird (on or by June 24, 2026)
$385
Regular (after June 24, 2026)
$460
Mobile Workshop Add-On: Atlanta Beltline and Ponce City Market
$50
Mobile Workshop Add-On: Data Centers and Regional Development 
$50
Mobile Workshop Add-On: Georgia Tech AI and Smart Manufacturing
$50
July 20th Pre-Conference Workshop for EDDs: Disaster Recovery and Resilience
No cost to attend, but pre-registration is required. Lunch will be provided.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Registrants who cancel their registrations by Friday, July 10, 2026, will receive a refund minus a $150 administrative fee.

Grand Hyatt Buckhead
3300 Peachtree Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30305
Room rate: $182 + tax

Hotel Reservation Cut-Off Date: Friday, June 19, 2026.*

*This rate is guaranteed until June 19. After this date, rooms and rates are subject to availability. Additionally, this rate applies only until our reserved room block is full, which could happen prior to June 19. We recommend making your reservation as soon as possible to secure this rate.

Presentations

Available presentations from the 2026 Economic Development Training for the EDA Atlanta Region are linked in either the session’s title or presenter’s name below. 

Monday, July 20

12:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Pre-Conference Workshop for EDDs: Disaster Recovery and Resilience

  • Josh Human, Plummer
  • David Dodd, CEO, International Sustainable Resilience Center
  • Brett Schwartz, Associate Director, Economic Development, NADO
Tuesday, July 21
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Opening Plenary: A Story of Community Resilience & Future Vision
  • Zeb Smathers, Mayor, Town of Canton, NC
  • David Francis, Haywood County (NC)
  • Russ Harris, Executive Director, Southwestern Commission (NC)
  • Joe Barker, Executive Director, Southwest Tennessee Development District

10:15 am – 11:45 am
Unpacking the CEDS: The Essentials to Emerging Approaches

10:15 am – 11:45 am
Best Practice for Your RLF
  • Toni Stinnett, Program Manager, Grow America (formerly NDC)
  • Mary Louk, Director of Credit , Grow America
  • Matt Knutson, RLF Coordinator, U.S. Economic Development Administration
10:15 am – 11:45 am
Idea to Implementation: Building Stronger EDA Projects
  • Hillary Sherman, EDA – Atlanta Regional Office
  • Emily Hathcock, EDA
  • Jonathan Corso, EDA – Atlanta Regional Office
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Plenary Luncheon: EDA Atlanta State of the Region
  • Lee Mertins, EDA – Atlanta Regional Office

1:15 pm – 2:30 pm
CEDS Conversation Carousel

1:15 pm – 2:30 pm
Beyond the Campfire: Approaches to Storytelling and Communications
1:15 pm – 2:30 pm
AI Ready EDDs
  • Joe D’Antonio, Program Manager, NADO
  • Mary Jane Lyonnais, Project Manager, Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments (NC)
2:45 pm – 4:00 pm
AI Ready Regions
  • Tim Wilson, Director, Technology Innovation and Strategy, SME
  • Beka Shiver, Economic Development Planner, Southwest Georgia Regional Commission
2:45 pm – 4:00 pm
Strategic Funding & Strong Partnerships
2:45 pm – 4:00 pm
Resilient Recoveries: Disaster Recovery That Lasts
Wednesday, July 22

8:00 am – 9:00 am
Morning Plenary: A Spotlight on Economic Development Across Georgia

  • Steven Ferguson, Deputy Director , Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute
  • Jennifer Zeller, Director, Strategic Solutions, Economic Development, Georgia Power
  • Craig Dominey, Senior Film Location Specialist/Camera Ready® Program Manager, Georgia Film Office
9:15 am – 10:30 am
Power Regions Part I: Data Centers, Land-Use, & Energy
  • Greg Boike, Director of Planning and Public Administration, Middle Georgia Regional Commission
  • Amanda Clark, Director of Business and Economic Development, Kentucky Power
  • Brad Clark, Director of Education, Rural Energy Academy
9:15 am – 10:30 pm
Keeping Regional Economies Moving: Ports, Freight & Logistics
 
9:15 am – 10:30 am
Successful EDA Investments: Managing Strong Projects Throughout the EDA Lifecycle
  • Lucas Blankenship, EDA – Atlanta Regional Office
  • Gregory Vaday, EDA – Atlanta Regional Office
  • Stacey Mills, EDA – Atlanta Regional Office

10:40 am – 12:10 pm
Power Regions Part II: Data Centers, Community Impact, & Economic Development

10:40 am – 12:10 pm
Growing Wealth from the Ground Up: Rethinking Food Systems for Shared Prosperity

10:40 am – 12:10 pm
Conversation Cafe: Tribal Engagement & Partnership
  • London Weier, Program Manager, NADO

1:45 pm – 3:00 pm
From Brownfields to Bright Futures: Redeveloping Sites for Economic Growth

  • Tyler Lewis, Catawba Regional Council of Governments
1:45 pm – 3:00 pm
  • Tiffany Andrews, Director of Workforce Development, Middle Georgia Regional Commission
  • Greg Boike, Director of Planning and Public Administration, Middle Georgia Regional Commission

1:45 pm – 3:00 pm
What Makes a Strong Economic Development District

  • Hillary Sherman, EDA – Atlanta Regional Office
  • Lee Mertins, EDA – Atlanta Regional Office
  • Jonathan Corso, EDA – Atlanta Regional Office

3:15 pm – 4:30 pm
A Trail Map for Growth: Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Economies

3:15 pm – 4:30 pm
Conversation Cafe: Housing Challenges

3:15 pm – 4:30 pm
GIS Tools for Regional Economic Development

  • Keith Cooke, Director of Planning & Community Development Markets, Esri
3:15 pm – 4:30 pm
EDA 101 for EDD Leadership
  • Lee Mertins, EDA – Atlanta Regional Office
  • Stacey Mills, EDA – Atlanta Regional Office
  • Emily Hathcock, EDA
Thursday, July 23

8:45 am – 10:00 am
Power Regions Part III: Nuclear Energy and Economic Development Across the Southeast

8:45 am – 10:00 am
EDD Listening Session
 
10:15 am – 11:30 am
Closing Plenary: Federal Policy Updates
  • Matthew Dolge, Executive Director, Piedmont Triad Regional Council (NC)
  • Joe McKinney, Executive Director, NADO
  • Juliette Wilder, Manager of Government Relations, NADO

12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Post-Conference Rural Energy Academy: Vogtle Nuclear Plant Tour

Thank you to this year's sponsors and exhibitors!

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