Interview: Economic Development Association of Minnesota

For more than 50 years, the Economic Development Association of Minnesota has been a go-to source of information and best practices for professionals involved in economic growth throughout the state. The association, founded in 1967 as the Minnesota Industrial Development Association, aims to keep its members abreast of the latest development strategies with an eye toward “collaboration and innovation in the economic development industry,” according to its website. EDAM’s current leaders include 2020 President Kim Lindquist, the longtime director of community development for the city of Rosemount. Also active in the organization is Daniela Lorenz, business development coordinator for the city of Brooklyn Park. In the following interview, Lindquist and Lorenz talk about the state of economic development during a time of civil unrest and a global pandemic, and how EDAM’s mission has evolved during these challenging times.