Summertime with the CEDS

The sun has set on the NADO Research Foundation’s 2020 Summertime with the CEDS, but all of the recordings from the webinars are available on-demand for viewing anytime below, as well as links to case studies and other materials to support your CEDS process, document, and overall approach to regional economic development.  Be sure to also visit www.CEDSCentral.com for additional information and resources that are updated regularly.

Contact Brett Schwartz at [email protected] with any questions or for more information.  Thanks for your interest!

Archived Recordings & Resources

Many economic development districts (EDDs) are using CARES Act funding to hire a disaster recovery coordinator to support with regional economic recovery in response to the pandemic. These positions have tremendous potential to support districts and regions in a variety of ways, including by surveying local businesses, forging partnerships, delivering federal and state updates, interfacing with multiple stakeholder groups, and much more.  This virtual conversation featured staff from the Central Florida Regional Planning Council and the Apalachee Regional Planning Council who shared their experiences of having an EDA-funded recovery coordinator position as part of their hurricane recovery efforts. In this session, you’ll hear more about these positions, what you should look for in a recovery coordinator, what responsibilities and roles they can play, and lessons learned for how best to deploy a coordinator as part of your COVID-19 economic recovery strategy.  Click the video above the watch the recording.

Over the last half-century, the economy has changed dramatically, as have many communities and regions. However despite these changes, in many places the approaches and policies for doing economic development have not changed – often setting us back in our efforts to build more prosperous and resilient communities.  During this webinar, two experts from Ball State University, Michael Hicks, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University, and David Terrell, director of the Indiana Communities Institute and RUPRI Center for State Policy, presented research that documents these changes, pointed towards different approaches we should consider, and shared how best to incorporate some of these themes into your region’s CEDS.  Click the video above to watch the recording.  Click here to download the presentation slides.

This webinar (held in conjunction with the National Regional Transportation Conference) featured how two regional organizations have incorporated resilience into transportation and economic development planning.  Bi-State Regional Commission (serving parts of Illinois and Iowa) has applied a Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Framework process to identify vulnerable and critical facilities in the Quad Cities related to extreme weather and its impacts on the area transportation system, and has also included adaptation strategies in its Long Range Transportation Plan update. The Houston-Galveston Area Council developed a Regional Economic Resilience Plan in 2018 that analyzed threats and proposed solutions to help the regional and county economies bounce back more quickly from disruptions, including from natural disasters, downturns in the economy, or the loss of a major employer. It also created an economic profile for each of the region’s thirteen counties, detailing land use and demographics, housing, commute patterns, and much more.  Click the video above to watch the recording.  Click here to download the presentation slides.

Are you wondering how best to integrate climate resilience into your CEDS?  The Geos Institute has been working with local leaders for 12 years to help them understand the impacts of a changing climate and build community resilience in the face of those changes. Its Climate Ready Communities program is an “assisted do-it-yourself” framework designed to help communities complete climate resilience plans on their own or with limited assistance.  This webinar discussed this program as well as how it can be adapted to help economic development districts and other regional organizations integrate climate resilience into their CEDS planning processes.  Click the video above to watch the recording.  Click here to download the presentation slides.  Click here to access the Geos Institute’s free “Practical Guide to Building Climate Resilience.”

The coronavirus pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the world economy. In response, Burning Glass Technologies is using its database of more than a billion current and historical job postings to measure the economic shock and how it affects the job market. During this webinar, Joel Simon from Burning Glass shared observations and analyses derived through real-time employer demand data on impacted industries and occupations, discussed factors influencing economic recovery, and explained how this data can support your CEDS planning efforts.  Click the video above to watch the recording.  Click here to download the presentation slides.  Click here to access the report “Filling the Lifeboats: Getting Americans Back to Work During the Pandemic” discussed during the webinar.

Many organizations are taking their CEDS to the next level by hosting them online, creating opportunities for better design, more use of images, video, and graphics, and the ability to easily update data and information. Esri Story Maps let you combine authoritative maps with narrative text, images, and multimedia content, making it easy to harness the power of maps and geography to tell your region’s story.  This webinar includes presentations from Esri staff who gave a demo and discussed ways to utilize the Story Map platform to host your CEDS as well as a presentation from staff at the Land of Sky Regional Council that published its most recent CEDS as a Story Map.  Click the video above to watch the recording.

Resource Links:

The National Association of Counties (NACo) County Explorer is a one-stop-shop for data and profiles for each of the country’s 3,069 counties. This mapping tool provides easy access to the latest available data, with hundreds of indicators across categories ranging from county economies to policy issues, including transportation, finance, infrastructure, energy, health, public safety and much more.  Click the video above to watch the recording.  This webinar is also part of NADO RF’s Data Deep Dive webinar series.

This 15-minute webinar briefing from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s David Ives discusses key features of the CEDS Content Guidelines, how to integrate the CEDS into Opportunity Zones efforts, and how the CEDS serves as a foundation for EDA’s CARES Act funding.  Click the video above to watch the recording and click here to access the presentation slides.

Much uncertainty lies ahead as communities and regions begin to recover from the economic shock of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Though there is no playbook for this current situation, lessons learned from other long-term recovery efforts can serve as a foundation to plan for the future.  The NADO Research Foundation hosted Erik Pages, founder of EntreWorks Consulting, for a presentation about how communities can recover from economic shocks over the long-term.  Topics highlighted included economic diversification, business assistance, entrepreneurship, talent development, improved infrastructure and amenities, and much more.  Click the video above to watch the recording (Note: there are audio difficulties from minute 41:30 to 43:10).  Click here for more information and presentation slides.

  • Our latest “CEDS in Action” case study features how Southeast Conference and other partners are supporting Alaskan mariculture and lifting up new and emerging businesses.  Mariculture offers such promising economic and environmental benefits to coastal communities in Alaska that various organizations in the state have been working together with government offices towards the goal of growing this sector into a $100 million industry in 20 years. These efforts have also become one of the centerpieces of Southeast Alaska’s CEDS, bringing together a mix of partners to transform the regional economy and create new opportunities for residents, businesses, and communities.  Click here to read the case study.
  • Region 9 Economic Development District of SW Colorado hired a Recovery Coordinator to support with economic recovery following the 2015 Gold King Mine spill.  This position, funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, subsequently supported with responses to future disasters, including wildfires, an avalanche, and a rockslide. Click here to read the case study.

Additional Resources

CEDS Central serves as the Resource and Training Archive for materials developed by the NADO Research Foundation as part of its Stronger CEDS, Stronger Regions program, funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.  The free materials archived there include reports, case studies, videos, webinars, and presentation materials on planning, developing, and implementing the CEDS.  New staff working on the CEDS for the very first time as well as more seasoned veterans of the process should find these resources useful and relevant to their work.  Click here to visit CEDS Central.  

The RDO Resource Center is updated regularly with resources relevant to regional development organizations (RDOs) during this challenging time. The resource page contains the latest information, funding opportunities, and training resources to support your recovery efforts.  Click here to visit the Resource Center.

“Summertime with the CEDS” is presented as part of the NADO Research Foundation’s Stronger CEDS, Stronger Regions program, funded through a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration,U.S. Department of Commerce.  The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

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Contact Ryan Collins

Ryan Collins joined NADO in 2024. He lives in Athens, Ohio, and is passionate about ensuring rural communities thrive and prosper across the country. Ryan has always identified as a helper and has focused his career on serving others in both the public and private sectors. Before joining NADO, Ryan worked as a Policy Manager with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. There he focused on Federal Policy issues and making them more accessible to members. Before that Ryan worked with one of NADO’s member organizations Buckeye Hills Regional Council (BHRC) as a Broadband Coordinator and then as a Program Manager, where he led Ohio’s Southeast Regional Digital Inclusion Alliance, managed BHRC’s State and Federal Appalachian Regional Commission programs, and worked in several other programs. In his free time, Ryan enjoys reading, playing Dungeons and Dragons along with Magic the Gathering, building models, hiking, and spending time with his children (his cats Saturn and Cosmo.)

Haley Schultheis joined NADO in November 2024 coming from a background in association management and small nonprofit development. Haley completed her master’s in community development at the University of Detroit Mercy in 2022, where she specialized in human and organizational development practices. She earned her bachelor’s in behavioral healthcare from the University of South Florida as a way to explore her interest in human behavior and anthropology. 
 
Haley recently began training to become a certified “The Narrative Method” facilitator, using group storytelling as a method to connect. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, walking, and eating! Check out Haley’s cartoon series on Instagram @mydadisart!
Dan Deutsch joined the NADO team as a Research Fellow in 2024. With over a decade of experience in nonprofit communications with particular emphasis on arts and culture institutions, and over 25 years of participating in the performing arts, his interests sit at the crux of placemaking/placekeeping, arts and culture, community engagement, and economic development. Dan holds a dual bachelor’s in communications & culture and theatre arts, and a master’s in professional communications from Clark University.
 
Before joining NADO, Dan had just graduated with a master’s in regional planning from UMass Amherst after living and working in the Greater Hartford region as a communications professional. Dan resides in Washington D.C., where he enjoys trying new restaurants, recreational photography, and staying involved in the local music scene as both a musician and supporter.
Olivia holds a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from the University of Pennsylvania and is currently pursuing her master’s in public administration at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.
 
Prior to beginning her graduate studies, Olivia worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Executive Office for Administration and Finance. She first joined the office as a member of the state’s budget team, where she worked on housing, economic development, and education finance, and later served as the agency’s Chief Financial Officer. She relocated to Boston from Washington D.C., where she had worked on legal and regulatory research as an analyst for Mintz Levin and its consulting affiliate M.L. Strategies.
 
Olivia has lived in each of the cities featured in the National Treasure movie and is currently located in New York City, where she spends her time running in Central Park and cleaning up things her cat Franklin knocks over.

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Regional Development Researcher Andrew Coker joined the NADO team in March of 2023 after spending two and a half years as the Regional Economic Resiliency Coordinator at West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District. Andrew holds a bachelor’s degree from Hendrix College and a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.

At NADO, Andrew conducts research on the newest economic and community development best practices from Economic Development Districts across the country. He helps produce easily digestible information on complex regional issues through case studies, tip sheets, and research reports. Andrew also hosts training and professional development opportunities including conference sessions and virtual webinars for member regional development organizations.

Andrew is one of our Missouri-based team members and enjoys reading and training for his next triathlon.

Jack Morgan came to the NADO team in 2022 after seven years with the National Association of Counties (NACo) as a Program and Senior Program Manager. Prior to NACo, Jack was a Policy Analyst for Friends of Southwest Virginia. Jack holds a bachelor’s in geography from Emory & Henry College and a master’s in geography from Appalachian State University.

As a NADO Senior Program Manager, Jack leads capacity-building and peer-learning work supporting energy communities in economic transition, regional resilience, and recreation economies. He also helps with the EDA-Austin training program Emerging Leaders.

Jack is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and is a member of the American Planning Association (APA) in the Regional & Intergovernmental Planning division. He also serves on the Emory & Henry College Alumni Board.

Taking road trips, reading non-fiction, and indulging in top-notch barbecue and coffee round out Jack’s days. He loves maps, mountains, and of course, all things sports.

Karron Grant joined the NADO team in 2023 as Administrative Specialist and is the first face (or voice) you’ll see or hear when reaching out to NADO. As Administrative Specialist, Karron manages our database and coordinates NADO event operations. He ensures members’ needs are met, contact information stays current, and NADO’s office is running efficiently.

Karron came to NADO after four years in the classroom teaching at The New Century School and Old Mill Middle North where he received the Patriot of the Year award. He attended Towson University and the University of Maryland Global Campus and holds a bachelor’s in international studies and humanities.

Visiting art galleries and museums, playing basketball and bowling, and taking in movies and music are some of Karron’s interests and hobbies.

Deputy Executive Director Laurie Thompson has been with NADO for 25 years. Laurie helps keep the NADO and NADO Research Foundation wheels turning through management of the daily operations of the Research Foundation, securing financial resources and overseeing grants management, and helping execute NADO’s Annual Training Conference each year.

Laurie holds a bachelor’s in public affairs and government from Mount Vernon College and a master’s in health services administration from The George Washington University. Prior to NADO, Laurie spent time as a Field Specialist and an Eagle Staff Fund Director at First Nations Development Institute.

When she’s taking a rare reprieve from her NADO work, Laurie enjoys traveling domestically and internationally to visit friends and family.

Jamie McCormick joined the NADO team as a Policy Fellow first in 2019, then moved into her current role as Legislative Associate in 2021. As Legislative Associate, Jamie keeps NADO members apprised of any policy and regulatory issues and communicates NADO’s policy priorities to federal stakeholders and partner organizations. She is also the first stop for members with inquiries on policy issues. The planning and execution of NADO & DDAA’s annual Washington Conference is also managed by Jamie.

Jamie holds a dual bachelor’s in political science and international relations from The State University of New York College at Geneseo and a master’s in international development studies from The George Washington University. In addition to her roles at NADO, Jamie also worked as a Legislative Assistant for the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association.

Outside of her NADO work, Jamie is an active volunteer with the VOLO Kids Foundation and a fundraiser for YMCA youth programs. She is also NADO’s resident baker regularly providing treats for those in NADO’s D.C. office. Traveling, taking her pup on walks, and hiking in the northeast keep Jamie busy. 

Brett Schwartz began at NADO in 2012 as a Research Fellow after earning his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law. The following year, he was promoted to Program Manager and has now been leading as an Associate Director since 2018. Brett is responsible for managing NADO’s Economic Development District Community of Practice (EDD CoP), as well as researching and monitoring the latest trends in regional economic development and resilience, including best practices for the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). With more than a decade of experience on the NADO team, Brett is a dynamic relationship builder helping connect and build capacity among the national network of regional development organizations.

Brett also holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a master’s from Trinity College Dublin, as well as a certificate in mediation training. He’s a member of Catalyst Grantmakers of San Diego and Imperial Counties and was a participant in the 2021-22 Field Trips to the Future Cohort.

Brett is one of NADO’s West Coast team members residing in San Diego, CA where he enjoys spending time outdoors, attending concerts and festivals, and soaking up life as a parent of two young children.  

Communications Manager Katie Allison joined the team in 2023 to lead the strategic communication efforts of NADO. Katie creates and develops print and online materials, communicates NADO’s updates to members via weekly emails, and maintains content for nado.org and NADO’s social media channels. She also works with different departments to generate new ideas and strategies to effectively describe and promote the important work NADO is doing for EDDs and RDOs across the country.

An experienced nonprofit communications professional, Katie has worked for organizations in western North Carolina for nearly a decade. She holds a bachelor’s in communications from Wingate University where she was a four-year student athlete. Katie has also completed Vision Henderson County, a comprehensive leadership development program that promotes informed and committed civic volunteerism.

Katie stays busy trying to keep up with her two young sons whom she enjoys exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains with. Traveling to new and favorite places and cheering on the Atlanta Braves are some of her family’s favorite pastimes.

Senior Program Manager Ciara Ristig has been a member of the NADO team since 2021, and helps with NADO’s EDD Community of Practice, EDD staff capacity building and other grants on a range of subjects, including equity and solar energy. Before NADO, Ciara worked as a Planner for the County of Santa Barbara and an Assistant Project Manager for REM Consult. Ciara holds a bachelor’s in urban studies and French from Bryn Mawr and a master’s in urban studies from Ecole d’Urbanisme de Paris.

When she’s not traveling, you can find her outrigger paddling and serving on the board of the Blue Sky Center in New Cuyama, CA, near her home base of Santa Barbara.

Carrie Kissel has been a member of the NADO team since 2005 when she began as a Research Fellow. She later moved into the roles of Program Manager in 2006, and then Associate Director in 2011. Carrie holds a bachelor’s in anthropology from Ball State University and a master’s in public anthropology from American University. As Associate Director, Carrie oversees NADO’s work in rural transportation and rural wealth creation. She provides technical assistance and support to rural regions on transportation and economic development issues and develops training and peer exchange events on transportation issues and rural wealth creation as an economic development strategy.

Carrie is a member of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and secretary of TRB’s Rural Transportation Issues Coordinating Council. She is also a member of the American Anthropological Association and the National Association for the Practice of Anthropology.

Reading, gardening, hiking, and kayaking are a few of Carrie’s hobbies, and she organizes a book club in her community.

Melissa Levy has worked at NADO as a Regional Development Researcher since February 2023 and is the Principal Consultant at her own firm specializing in wealth-based economic development consulting. With a career spanning nearly 30 years, Melissa brings a breadth of knowledge to her role as a Regional Development Researcher. Melissa provides in-depth research, coaching, and training on regional economic resilience, rural wealth creation strategies, and economic development.

Melissa is a North American Food Systems Network trained AgriCluster Resilience and Expansion (ACRE) facilitator and a WealthWorks coach, facilitator, and trainer. In addition to her professional work, Melissa serves on the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Council, on the board of the Hinesburg Community Resource Center, and on the Hinesburg Economic Development Committee.

A true outdoorswoman, Melissa enjoys cross country and downhill skiing, paddleboarding, hiking, biking, and kayaking, as well as yoga, and teaching Tai Chi.

Program Manager Krishna Kunapareddy began her role with NADO in February of 2023 after 14 years of service at Boonslick Regional Planning Commission in Missouri. Krishna manages NADO Research Foundation’s Planning and Environmental Linkages and Center for Environmental Excellence projects. In addition to researching and writing, Krishna also conducts virtual workshops on innovative tools and techniques related to transportation planning.

She holds an undergraduate degree from Andhra University and a master’s from JNT University in India, as well as a master’s in city and regional planning from the University of Texas at Arlington. Krishna is also a certified Smart Cities Academy Practitioner and holds the Location Advantage certificate from geographic information system software company ESRI.

In her spare time, Krishna volunteers with Mentors4College helping high schoolers better plan for their post-high school paths. She is also a dedicated advocate for documented H4 Dreamers.

Krystal DeLeon joined the NADO team in October of 2020 as Database & Grants Manger, but in January of 2022 transitioned to her current role as Operations Manager. Krystal keeps NADO running through behind the scenes work of invoicing, solving any database issues that may arise, producing membership reports, and much more. Her organizational skills and thorough knowledge help the NADO team operate more efficiently across all departments.

Prior to NADO, Krystal was the Conference Services Coordinator for State Services Organization. She is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), a licensed realtor, and holds a bachelor’s in psychology from Liberty University. When she’s not keeping NADO’s operations in order, Krystal enjoys running and rock climbing, and adventuring with her husband and son.

Senior Program Manager Bret Allphin joined NADO in April of 2022 bringing with him a wealth of knowledge after a 20-year career with Buckeye Hills Regional Council in Marietta, Ohio. In addition to his bachelor’s in political science and master’s in public affairs, Bret is licensed Geographical Information Systems Professional (GISP). He is NADO’s go-to team member for all things mapping while also supporting members with transportation and economic development technical assistance services.

An avid sports aficionado and former collegiate athlete, Bret enjoys cheering on his Cincinnati Reds, hitting the trails on his mountain bike, and improving his golf game whenever possible. Bret is an involved community member in Marietta dedicating much of his spare time to serving on local nonprofit boards.

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Applications cannot be saved and returned to at a later time. It is recommended you compile all of your information in advance in a word processor and cut and paste into the application below.

2023 Impact Awards

The primary applicant must be a NADO member. Project partners, both NADO and non-members, can be recognized under "Project Partners" below.

Primary Project Contact:
This person will be the designated point of contact for all future awards-related correspondence.

Organization Address

Project Location (if different from Organization Address)

Executive Director

Additional Organizational Information
Please upload your organization's logo which will be included on the winning project award certificate.

Project Information
This title will be printed on the award certificate for winning projects and in all 2022 NADO Impact Award materials and cannot be changed.

Project Summary & Questions
Please craft clear, thoughtful, and engaging responses to the following questions. Use the following sections to tell us how your project has made an impact, such as its use of creative funding mechanisms, efforts to create efficiencies or reduce costs, unique partnership models, and emphasis on building resilience and/or enhancing your region's quality of life.

For award-winning projects, the information provided below may be used verbatim to inform project descriptions that will be published in the 2023 NADO Impact Awards materials and included on the NADO website.

Please submit at least one photo showing your project in action. Please keep file size to a minimum (<2Mb) and use JPEG format. If uploading multiple files, ZIP files prior to submitting. If you have trouble uploading images they can be directly emailed to Brett Schwartz at [email protected]. Include the project title they correspond to in the subject line of your email.

Note: Submitted photos may be used in NADO Impact Awards materials and in other NADO published materials with credit to your organization. Please also consider submitting photos for NADO's 2023 Photo Contest, which will be held this summer.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATION - PLEASE BE PATIENT! IF YOU DO NOT SEE A CONFIRMATION, YOUR APPLICATION WAS NOT RECEIVED.
Your application is not submitted until you are directed to a confirmation page. If you have any questions or are unsure if your application has been submitted, please contact Brett Schwartz at [email protected]

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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.

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