Civil Municipal Magazine - Nov 2023

18 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 11 mandate primarily through member capacity building via a range of services that include the Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO), Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), and Economic Development Research Partners (EDRP) programs. The latest addition, the Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP) program, has been developed with the Kauffman Foundation, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), and SourceLink. “A major benefit of IEDC membership is the wide range of options it gives you to tackle local, regional, and even national economic development issues,” says Tom Kucharski, President and CEO at Invest Buffalo Niagara and Chair of IEDC. “Through its efforts, the IEDC has unified, in the United States and Canada, the professional approach to economic development through certifications that accredit individuals in the professional practice of economic development. Whether in the U.S., Canada or Mexico, economic development as a profession is certainly challenging, especially during a pandemic. As the world changes and starts to examine difficult issues like racial inequity, supply chain disruptions, the movement of people, and the Internet of things, the IEDC is serving as the one place everyone can navigate these complex issues.” Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta, echoes Kucharski’s sentiments. She notes, “IEDC certifications play a critical role when working with councils or networking groups