Overview and Mission
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to helping economic developers do their job more effectively and raising the profile of the profession. When we succeed, our members create more high-quality jobs, develop more vibrant communities, and generally improve the quality of life in their regions.
Our Mission
Provide leadership and excellence in economic development
for our communities, members, and partners.
We embrace the following core values. They reflect and support our mission, and guide our decisions, actions and provision of services:
- Social responsibility and a dedication to building healthy, just, and competitive communities
Creation of wealth for individuals, businesses, and communities - Advancement of both the economic development profession and professional
- Cooperation and collaboration
- Diversity, tolerance, and equity
Our Members
IEDC is the world's largest membership organization serving the economic development profession. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, our members represent the entire range of economic development experience, including:
- Regional, state, county, and city economic development organizations
- Chambers of commerce and other business support agencies
- Community and neighborhood development organizations
- Technology development agencies
- Utility companies
- Educational institutions
- Consultants
- Redevelopment authorities
The strength of our organization comes directly from the expertise and influence of our members. This expertise includes:
- Real estate development and commercial revitalization
- Workforce development
- Infrastructure and business finance
- Business marketing, attraction, expansion, and retention
- Community development
- Industrial rehabilitation and location
- International trade
- Tourism development
Our Services and Programs
Building strong, sustainable communities is an endeavor requiring innovative strategies, tools, and techniques. Our programs and services have been developed accordingly: they provide educational opportunities, analyze and disseminate information, and improve decision-makers' responsiveness to economic development needs. They include:
- Opportunities to network with and learn from community leaders, industry experts, and federal policy makers at our technical and annual conferences
- Professional development that strengthens economic developers' careers and communities, and a certification program that unifies and sets the standard of excellence for the discipline
- Advisory Services and Research that creates custom solutions for all types of communities, as well as federal agencies
- In-depth analysis in the premiere publication of the discipline - Economic Development Journal - and a bi-monthly survey of economic development news and federal updates in the Economic Development Now e-newsletter
- Legislative Affairs, which monitors federal activity impacting the field of economic development and engages our membership in policy advocacy activities
- The Accredited Economic Development Organization program, which provides organizations with independent feedback on their operations and recognizes excellence in local economic development efforts
Our Staff
Comprised of recognized leaders in economic development and professionals skilled in association management, our staff dedicates itself to supporting the endeavors of our members and advancing the profession and discipline of economic development as a whole.
