The Economic Development Association of Alabama will be bringing its Leadership Institute course to Demopolis on Oct. 20.
The one-day course was created through a partnership between the Economic Development Association of Alabama and Auburn University to educate and engage elected officials, economic development board members, and other community leaders about key issues in economic and community development.
The course, which does cost $50 per person, will be held at the Demopolis Civic Center from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The courses utilize regional economic development practitioners as instructors and panelists and each course is being offered in other areas across the state.
The core courses involved in the program include Essentials of Economic Development, Building Workforce, Building Community, Business and Industry Marketing and Attraction, and Attracting Retail.
Those participants who complete four of the core classes, and attend either the summer or winter EDAA Conference, will earn an EDAA Leadership Certificate.
To begin the day in Demopolis, Joe A Sumners, Ph.D, and director of Economic and Community Development Institute of Auburn University will lead the course on Economic and Community Development Essentials.
At 10:45, EDAA Executive Director Jim Searcy will speak on Economic Development: Keys to Success.
Following lunch, a special panel discussion will be held featuring Greene County Industrial Development Authority Executive Director Phillis Belcher, Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Executive Director John Clyde Riggs, Marengo County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Brenda Tuck, and Selma and Dallas County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Wayne Vardaman.
The day concludes with a roundtable discussion.