The capacity of RDOs is critical to addressing the needs of their region and to creating a foundation for sustainable economic development. However, RDOs are complex organizations, and it takes skill, capacity, and leadership to run them effectively. There is an identified need to build professional capacities, strengthen RDOs, and assist executive directors and senior staff when developing leadership skills.
Here you will find resources for maximizing your organization’s potential—operationally and strategically. These resources are designed to assist RDOs by sharing experiences and best practices, learning from others’ challenges and obstacles, and gaining insights into innovative approaches from peers and others across the country.
Have materials or examples you’d like to share? Email Ciara Ristig at [email protected] with any additional resources from your region or state. New resources will be added over time.
The NADO Research Foundation and EDA Seattle Regional Office hosted an EDD Regional Roundtable that brought together EDD and EDA Seattle staff for training, networking, and sharing opportunities and challenges facing EDDs across the EDA Seattle region
The NADO Research Foundation hosted “An Afternoon with the Districts” in March 2023 as part of its Economic Development District Community of Practice. This event brought together nearly 70 participants for an afternoon of networking and training
During this session at the 2023 NADO Washington Conference, EDA and EDD staff reflected on opportunities for collaboration, discussed the latest updates on CEDS guidelines, and shared how EDDs can effectively engage with an array of federal partners and programs
This case study features how the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Commission collaborated with a range of partners to restore Muskegon’s Veterans Memorial Park to its former glory as a community amenity and destination
The NADO Research Foundation (NADO RF) is pleased to partner on the Economic Recovery Corps program led by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), with funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). The Economic Recovery Corps program will place and train fellows at “boots on the ground” organizations like EDDs across the country, equipping them with resources and opportunities to build capacity at their host organizations.
This webinar provided an overview and live demonstration of the NERDE and EDCI tools from Argonne National Laboratory to show how they can be utilized to support your CEDS and other regional planning efforts.
This webinar showcased available funding, capacity building opportunities, and resources available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) at the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Energy (DOE) to support electric vehicle infrastructure.
Learn from your peers and Executive Directors as they share lessons learned and strategies for addressing the many challenges they’ve faced.
Economic Development Districts (EDDs) and Regional Development Organizations (RDOs) around the country are incorporating principles of diversity, equity and inclusion into their work. This report (PDF) is
In support of Stronger Districts, Stronger Regions, a National Economic Development District (EDD) Leadership Capacity Building Initiative, the following materials have been gathered on various subjects
Leadership & Governance RDO 101 for Board Members John Metcalf, NADO Annual Training Conference 2018: Being An Effective Board Member Designed for board members and executive
In March 2022, the NADO Research Foundation (NADO RF) hosted the session “Strengthening Regions through Equity and Economic Inclusion Strategies” as part of the NADO
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Joe McKinney serves as Executive Director of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). Headquartered in Washington DC, NADO provides advocacy, education, research, and training for the nation’s 500+ regional planning and development organizations.
Joe has thirty-one years of experience having served in city, county, regional, national association, and government management since 1991. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy Analysis from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a candidate for a master’s degree in Public Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill.
McKinney has provided congressional testimony on numerous occasions regarding the importance of regional development organizations in helping shape the nation’s economic growth. He is nationally recognized for promoting innovative solutions in areas such as planning and economic development, workforce development, transportation and transit, and aging services.