With broad institutional knowledge, strong partners, networks, and staff expertise, RDOs are well-positioned to support numerous regional development initiatives. Many coordinate regional planning efforts that strengthen local communities and improve quality of life by leveraging local assets and opportunities. Most RDOs are also federally designated Economic Development Districts that write and maintain the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
The CEDS is a locally-based, regionally-driven economic development planning process and document that identifies regional strengths and weaknesses. It also brings together a diverse set of partners to generate good jobs, diversify the economy, and spur economic growth.
Through a variety of planning efforts, RDOs also promote economic and climate resilience to better prepare regions to anticipate, withstand, and bounce back from shock, disruption, or stress. These shocks can include natural disasters, hazards, and the impacts of a changing climate. Economic disruptions such as the closure of a region’s large employer, the decline of an important industry, changes in the workforce, and population fluctuations are also possible. Finally, RDOs work to better incorporate equity and economic inclusion principles into their plans, programs, and outreach efforts to ensure that all residents have an opportunity to help shape their community’s future.
As part of its EDA-funded EDD Community of Practice (EDD CoP), the NADO Research Foundation has created an interactive EDD map that provides information about each EDD’s service area, website, contact information, and EDA regional officeÂ
The Elevating Equity in Economic Development resource is presented as an online interactive toolkit and a downloadable pdf guide.
The needs and priorities of the US economy have evolved quickly in the last several years, and the Economic Development Administration has responded with new
Arkansas Recovery and Resiliency Initiative Arkansas Economic Development Districts & EDA University Centers Only a few short months after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,
This case study highlights how the East Texas Council of Governments demonstrates its value to local communities by designing annual Regional Solutions Reports for all the 14 counties it serves as well as a region-wide report highlighting impact and services provided
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. Â 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
This case study highlights how the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments led the development of the AEMA Division F Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan which aligned hazard mitigation planning for nine Northeast Alabama counties
This webinar Green River Area Development District’s (GRADD) Hire to Operate (H20) program, a collaboration with state and local partners to address the shortage of certified water and wastewater operators in Western Kentucky through a Registered Apprenticeship Program
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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.