Sarah Dickson, communications director for the Edmond Economic Development Authority, recently earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a national recognition that denotes a mastery of skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to personal and professional growth. The CEcD exam, administered by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), intends to unite the economic development field by establishing a baseline of core knowledge for economic development professionals.
The CEcD designation recognizes qualified and dedicated practitioners in the economic development field and sets the standard of excellence within the profession. Candidates must pass a rigorous and comprehensive examination, which has three parts and spans two days. The exam tests a practitioner’s knowledge, proficiency and judgment in the following key areas of economic development:
- business retention and expansion
- finance & credit analysis
- marketing and attraction
- strategic planning
- entrepreneurial & small business development
- managing economic development organizations
- neighborhood development strategies
- real estate development & reuse
- technology-led economic development
- workforce development strategies
- foreign direct investment & exporting
Excellence in the economic development profession improves economic well-being and quality of life for individuals, businesses and communities. There are currently more than 1,100 active CEcDs in the United States.
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About the Edmond Economic Development Authority
The EEDA exists to offer resources that stimulate the growth of Edmond’s economy by creating and maintaining an optimum environment for both new and existing businesses, offering services that facilitate the growth and expansion of those businesses and generating opportunities to increase the sales tax base of the city of Edmond.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,000 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities and a variety of other institutions. IEDC’s members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities and improve the quality of life in their regions.