Fundamentals of Economic Development

The 2019 Fundamentals of Economic Development Chancellor's Certificate has ended after another successful year. 

We plan to offer the program again in Spring 2020. If you are interested in attending, please watch for registration information in early 2020.

Economic Development is key to regional success. This Chancellor's Certificate program, Fundamentals of Economic Development, covers economic and community development concepts and tools to attract, assess, and support development and redevelopment opportunities in our communities. Course modules, held in the heart of the Cortex Innovation Community, and on site at specific development sites, will lead participants through the steps necessary to develop and implement economic development plans and projects.

This program is designed for:

• Public sector economic development commissioners and staff
• Special taxing district commissioners and staff
• Elected officials
• Community Development Corporation board members and staff
• Private sector specialists
• Citizens and students interested in economic/ community development

For general information, here are details about the 2019 program:

When: Wednesdays, March 6, to May 1 from 6-9 p.m. (Note, no class on March 27).

Where: CIC@CET, 20 S. Sarah St., St. Louis, MO 63108, and on site at other development sites (see the individual modules for specific location details).

Registration Fee: $500 for the Entire Session or $75 for the remaining individual modules

Instructors: Course instructors are senior economic development practitioners in Missouri and Illinois, representing nonprofit, public, and private perspectives.

Partnership: Offered by the UMSL Public Policy Administration Program, and the Urban Land Institute–St. Louis.

Chancellor's Certificate: Earn a noncredit UMSL Chancellor's Certificate in Fundamentals of Economic Development by completing six of the eight modules in this year's program. Please note, hours from this course WILL NOT carry over to next year's program. To receive the chancellor's certificate, you MUST attend at least six modules during this session. 

Cancellation policy

Module Descriptions:

Module 1 | March 6 | Economic Development - A Public Perspective 
Learn about the role of local government in economic development and discuss the necessary conditions to foster a successful business climate. Consider the many facets of economic development and how they relate to different sectors and stakeholders.
Instructors: Amy Hamilton, City Manager, City of Richmond Heights, Mo.;
Julianne Stone, Adjunct Instructor, Public Policy Administration at UMSL
Location: CIC@CET, 20 S. Sarah, St. Louis, Mo., 63110

Module 2 | March 13 | The Intersection of Community and Business 
Explore the connections between community development and economic development. Discuss the importance of place-making, infrastructure, and comprehensive planning for attracting residents, workers, and businesses. Understand the role of community-based organizations in supporting neighborhood econimic development.
Instructors: Matt Wetli, Principal, Development Strategies;
Paul Woodruff, Executive Director, Prosperity Connection
Location: Excel Center, 2828 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63118

Module 3 | March 20 | Planning Your Economic Development Future and Making It a Reality
Discuss an economic development planning approach that includes market context analysis, stakeholder involvement, and local government roles. We will also consider steps in the implementation process via a tour and presentation of a planned mixed-use development on Chouteau Avenue in Lafayette Square.
Instructors: Bob Lewis, Assistant Professor, Urban Planning & Development, Saint Louis University;
Bill O'Dell & Paul Hamilton, Developers, Chouteau Avenue Corridor Development
Location: Jefferson Ballroom, 2017 Chouteau Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63103

No class March 27

Module 4 | April 3 | Where the Rubber Meets the Road - Understanding the Developer's Perspective
The plan is in place. What's next? Understand the basics of the development process and the numbers that make the deal work, including the language of developers and contractors and the expectations of those with whom you are doing business.
Instructor: John Langa, Vice President, Economic Development, Bi-State Development
Location: CIC@CET, 20 S. Sarah, St. Louis, Mo., 63110

Module 5 | April 10  | Ethical Economic Development Decision Making
Maintaining public trust is critical. In this highly-interactive session, we will explore how our individual and collective ethics and values impact critical decision-making in local government policy and economic development.
Instructor: Wally Siewert, Director, Civic Engagement & FOCUS Impact Fellows, Focus St. Louis
Location: CIC@CET, 20 S. Sarah, St. Louis, Mo., 63110

Module 6 | April 17 | Why St. Louis? Business Attraction - Views from the Outside
Consider St. Louis from a business' perspective. Discuss the assets that allow the region to compete nationally. What data is important to consider and present to support business attraction? What work still needs to be done on marketing St. Louis to those interested in locating here or expanding their presence?
Instructors: Steve Johnson, CEO, St. Louis Regional Economic Development Alliance;
Doug Rasmussen, Director, Site Selection & Incentives Advisory, Duft & Phelps, LLC;
Ruth Sergenian, Director Economic Research and Analysis, St. Louis Regional Chamber
Location: CIC@CET, 20 S. Sarah, St. Louis, Mo. 63110

Module 7 | April 24 | Where the Rubber Meets the Road II - Moving Dirt
Discuss the working relationship that is required to take a large-scale redevelopment project from draft to completion. We will tour the Streets of St. Charles with the Developer and the City's Economic Development Director. This phased project is the redevelopment of the former Noah's Ark restaurant and surrounding site.
Instructor: David Leezer, Director of Economic Development, City of St. Charles
Location: Drury Plaza Hotel, 380 Mulholland Dr., St. Charles, Mo. 63303

Module 8  | May 1 | Regional Agencies and Local Economic Development 
Discuss how a coordinated approach and intergovernmental collaboration can positively impact and protect economic development efforts at the local level. What is the role of large regional agencies and how do these agencies impact local economies?
Instructors: Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge, Director, St. Louis-Lambert International Airport;
Mike Kearney, Director of Economic Development, Ameren Corporation;
John Nations, Member, Evans & Dixon, LLC;
Susan Trautman, Executive Director, Great Rivers Greenway
Location: CIC@CET, 20 S. Sarah, St. Louis, Mo. 63110

Cancellation policy: For those who register for the Entire Session, cancellations received five business days prior to the first date of the program will be refunded, less a $25 processing fee. For those who register for Individual Modules, cancellations received five business days prior to the date of the module that you wish to cancel will be refunded, less a $25 processing fee.

If you are unable to attend, you may send a substitute, but we ask that you notify us of this change at parsonsg@umsl.edu.

Unless you cancel as per the guidelines noted above, even if you do not attend class, you will be billed for the registration fee once you register.

Payment Due: For those registering for the Entire Session, if payment is not received at least two days before the first class, we reserve the right to cancel your registration. For those registering for Individual Modules, if payment is not received at least two days before the module date, we reserve the right to cancel your registration.