MAY 13, 2025
(WARRENSBURG, MO)
Lindsay Keltch, Administrative and Communications Specialist with the Johnson County Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC), was one of 92 economic development professionals to attend the Heartland Economic Development Course (HEDC) April 29 – May 2, 2025 in Blue Springs, Missouri. Heartland attendees receive fundamental economic development training on topics ranging from business, retention and expansion, workforce development, real estate development, and entrepreneurship; to recruitment, finance, ethics, and managing economic development organizations.
The 2025 HEDC class included representatives from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and South Dakota, trained by nationally recognized faculty from within the profession of economic development. HEDC is coordinated by the Institute for Decision Making at the University of Northern Iowa and is accredited by the International Economic Development Council.
“Heartland is a dynamic week-long training course that offers intensive training in economic development strategies provided by experienced faculty. HEDC is not just a course, it’s a transformative experience designed to equip professionals with practical skills and knowledge needed to drive economic development in their communities. In addition, the course provides the opportunity for students to develop relationships with economic development professionals from the six-state region that will create a network to share best practices and new ideas throughout their career.” says Brien Thorstenberg, HEDC Board Chair.
The Heartland Economic Development Course is a partnership of the Kansas Economic Development Alliance, Professional Developers of Iowa, Missouri Economic Development Council, Nebraska Economic Developers Association, Select Oklahoma, and the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development. JCEDC, the only county-wide economic development organization, positively affects business development, placemaking, entrepreneurship, talent development, and regionalism and in doing so promotes the economic health of Johnson County, Central Missouri region, and the state of Missouri. For more information, visit www.growjocomo.com.
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