Essentials of Economic Development
- Hickory, NCJune 2, 2026
June 2nd, 2026 | 9:00am - 3:00pm | Location: Hickory, NC | Registration Fee: $235
Does your jurisdiction have the ingredients to stimulate investment and create jobs and wealth in an uncertain economy?
This one-day workshop covers the core strategies and tools for promoting economic development in the face of changing fiscal and economic conditions.
Program Topics:
- An Overview of Economic Development
- Building an Effective Economic Development Program
- Local Government Public-Private Partnership Tools for Economic Development
- Trends and Best Practices
Essentials of Economic Development is designed to help local officials understand the fundamentals of economic development in the current economic climate. The workshop will help participants understand what is required to attract and support private investment in their communities. Participants will examine various economic development strategies and tools and consider how local governments in partnership with the nonprofit and private sectors, can help facilitate the process of creating jobs and wealth.
Who Should Participate:
- Local elected officials (county commissioners, city/town council members)
- Appointed advisory board members
- Administrators (managers and department heads)
- Economic development professionals
- Local/regional partners and stakeholders
AGENDA
The 2026 Agenda still to be announced but you can view the 2025 Agenda under the "Materials" tab for reference.
LELA Level: This is a 201 Level course in the Local Elected Leaders Academy. Elected officials who attend this class will earn 6 credits towards the Master recognition certificate.
Additional information
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
The School of Government is grateful to offer a number of scholarship and discount opportunities for public officials who wish to participate in our continuing education programs. Scholarships and discounts are available both internally through the School and through the generous support of partnering organizations.
Learn more about the range of these opportunities on our Scholarship Discount Opportunities page.
NCACC County Commisionner Discount
The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners provides cost offsets for county elected officials to attend LELA courses. Learn more on the NCACC's LELA Discount page.
HOTEL INFORMATION
Please see the list of recommended hotels near the area.
PARKING INFORMATION
Parking details will be provided to you by your program manager the week prior to the program.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Course participants who cancel their registration more than 7 calendar days before the course start date will receive a full refund. Otherwise, participants will receive a transferrable credit to be used within 12 months. More information can be found in the full cancellation and refund policy.
- Hickory, NCJune 2Western Piedmont Council of Governments
1880 2nd Avenue NW
Hickory, NC 28601View Cancellation PolicyCourse participants who cancel their registration on or before May 25, 2026 will receive a full refund. No refund will be made for cancellations on or after May 26, 2026, but you will receive a transferrable credit to be used within 12 months. Click here to view the School’s full cancellation and refund policy.View Hotel InformationPlease see the list of recommended hotels near the area.
$235.00Registration and payment for this course grants access for a single attendee. In order to register a group of attendees, please register each person individually. If you have questions, please contact our registration office at registration@sog.unc.edu or 919.966.4414.
Lesly Vasquez
