?? Day 2 of our Annual Conference: Rural Prosperity, Diversity, and Women in #EconDev! ??? ? ?? Rural Prosperity took center stage, sparking excitement about sustainable growth in small communities. The domino effect of rural investment is huge! We were honored to have Mayor Mike Johnston and Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small join us to give us insight into their stories and the magic of Denver. ? ?? Our session about overcoming small town divisiveness tackled community integration strategies, emphasizing developer engagement and National Welcoming Week activities. ?? Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, our "Unlocking Superhero Strategies in Hispanic Communities" session highlighted cultural competency, trust-building, and patience in community outreach. Key takeaway: Bilingual staff and elected official support are crucial for long-term success! ?? The Women in Economic Development Luncheon was electric! Panelists shared insights on overcoming gender bias, salary negotiation, and work-life balance. Mary Ellen Wiederwohl's observation on the growing representation of women in the field was a highlight! ?? The "Denver After Dark" tour wowed attendees with sunset cocktails, food truck dining amid street art, and specialty drinks at a historic speakeasy. ?? When talking about competitive advantage in small towns (generously sponsored by Amazon), Gregg Robinson advocated for ROI-based, ratio-driven incentive packages, urging local economic developers to consider the long-term community impact when offering cash incentives. John R. Bristol, MPA, CEcD complemented this by emphasizing the power of non-cash, community-specific incentives, encouraging personalized offers with creative, unique-to-the-community perks. Another day of transformative ideas, collaboration, and local flavors at #IEDCDenver! What insights are you taking back to your community? #EconomicDevelopment #RuralProsperity #WomenInEconDev #HispanicHeritageMonth?#IEDC
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