The EDP and CEcD Prep Podcast

This episode focuses on how economic developers support entrepreneurs and small businesses through practical development strategies. It explains why small businesses matter to job creation, innovation, diversification, local wealth-building, and community resilience, while also examining the barriers business owners face.Key study themes include microbusinesses, startups, second-stage firms, high-growth companies, business technical assistance, mentorship, incubation, acceleration, financing, procurement support, partner networks, SBDCs, chambers, colleges, lenders, and the role of economic developers in building coordinated support systems.This episode was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence using official IEDC study materials and publications as source material. It is intended for independent study only and is not endorsed, sponsored, reviewed, or approved by the International Economic Development Council.

This episode examines Technology-Led Economic Development as a strategy for strengthening regional competitiveness, innovation, commercialization, and higher-wage job creation. It explains how technology moves from research and invention into marketable products, startup formation, licensing, and scalable business growth.Key study themes include innovation ecosystems, commercialization, technology transfer, intellectual property, patents, licensing, proof of concept, venture capital, angel investment, seed funding, incubators, accelerators, university partnerships, industry collaboration, and the economic developer’s role in connecting research, capital, talent, and markets.This episode was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence using official IEDC study materials and publications as source material. It is intended for independent study only and is not endorsed, sponsored, reviewed, or approved by the International Economic Development Council.

This episode covers Business Retention and Expansion, or BRE, as one of the most important functions in economic development. It explains how economic developers work with existing businesses to identify needs, prevent closures or relocations, support expansions, improve the business climate, and gather local economic intelligence.Key study themes include BRE program design, business visitation, survey techniques, confidentiality, red flags, technical assistance, workforce needs, financing tools, infrastructure issues, partner referrals, CRM tracking, expansion opportunities, and the connection between BRE, attraction, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and regional competitiveness.This episode was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence using official IEDC study materials and publications as source material. It is intended for independent study only and is not endorsed, sponsored, reviewed, or approved by the International Economic Development Council.

This episode explores Neighborhood Development Strategies and the role neighborhoods play in economic vitality, small business growth, quality of life, investment, and community identity. It explains how economic developers assess neighborhood conditions, attract reinvestment, support commercial corridors, and build partnerships while remaining attentive to resident needs and displacement risk.Key study themes include revitalization, redevelopment, land use, zoning, infrastructure, housing, placemaking, commercial corridors, market studies, Main Street programs, Community Development Block Grants, Enterprise Zones, Empowerment Zones, brownfields, adaptive reuse, and public-private partnerships.This episode was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence using official IEDC study materials and publications as source material. It is intended for independent study only and is not endorsed, sponsored, reviewed, or approved by the International Economic Development Council.

This episode explains the finance and credit analysis concepts economic developers need to understand when helping businesses, projects, and communities access capital. It covers the basic logic of project financing, lending, repayment ability, sources and uses of funds, creditworthiness, debt capacity, collateral, cash flow, gap financing, and public-private financing structures.Key study themes include debt versus equity, financially feasible versus economically desirable projects, underwriting, leverage, risk mitigation, revolving loan funds, loan guarantees, incentives, and how economic developers help close financing gaps responsibly.This episode was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence using official IEDC study materials and publications as source material. It is intended for independent study only and is not endorsed, sponsored, reviewed, or approved by the International Economic Development Council.

This episode introduces Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development, or ELED, as a foundational mindset shift for modern economic developers. Instead of focusing only on business attraction, ELED emphasizes growing economic opportunity from within the community by strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems, mapping local assets, identifying pipeline gaps, and supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of growth.Key study themes include attraction versus generation, entrepreneurial ecosystems, ecosystem asset mapping, startup pipelines, capital access, technical assistance, founder networks, and the role of the economic developer as a connector, convener, and ecosystem builder.This episode was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence using official IEDC study materials and publications as source material. It is intended for independent study only and is not endorsed, sponsored, reviewed, or approved by the International Economic Development Council.