Economic Development 101

About the Book

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 101 is a comprehensive handbook covering the basics of economic development that all community leaders who serve in volunteer positions such as board member, committee chair, task force leaders, etc. should know about economic development at the local level. Economic development volunteers have invaluable experience in business and other professions, but many do not understandenough about economic development to be effective participants – to work closely with economic development professionals and make a real and valuable contribution.

This book provides volunteers with the basics of economic development they need to know to be not just a participant, but an effective volunteer leader in local economic development organizations (EDOs). ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 101 is an excellent tool for conducting board training, planning retreats, strategic planning sessions, and training for volunteers. Major topics covered include: economic development defined, purpose of economic development, sustainable economic development, capacity building, effect of economic development on a community, critical factors and there effect on economic development, roles and responsibilities of the volunteer leader, the local economic development organization (EDO), hiring an economic development professional, strategic planning for economic development, business attraction and recruiting, business retention and expansion, technology transfer, entrepreneurship and business start-ups, and workforce development.

About the Author

Dr. Goetsch is Vice-President of Okaloosa-Walton College in Okaloosa County, Florida where his responsibilities include, among other things, business, industry, local government, and military relations as well as economic development. Having authored more than 60 books in the fields of business, management, leadership, and economic development, he is one of the most widely published college professors in the United States. Four of Dr. Goetsch’s books are best-sellers and three have been translated into foreign languages (Korean, Indonesian, and Malaysian). Dr. Goetsch is co-founder, past-president, and policy board member of the Okaloosa Economic Development Council, board member of the Walton Economic Development Council, two time past president and current foundation board member of the Niceville-Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, past president and current board member of the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, past board member of the Crestview Chamber of Commerce, past foundation board member of the Walton County chamber of Commerce, founder of the Technology Coast Manufacturing & Engineering Network (TeCMEN), and co-founder and past board chair of the Gulf Coast Alliance for Technology Transfer (GCATT). Dr. Goetsch was the Florida Economic Development Council’s Economic Development Volunteer of the Year in 1992 and 1996 for northwest Florida.