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In 2025, a strong digital presence is essential for economic development organizations (EDOs) seeking to attract businesses, investors, and skilled talent. The best economic development websites showcase innovative design, seamless functionality, and strategic communication to connect with their target audience effectively. In this article, we’ve curated a list of the...Continue Reading

A new SBA grant offers up to $500,000 to help organizations deliver business support services, strengthen supply chains, and grow local businesses.For most economic developers, the businesses already operating in your community are your greatest economic development asset. Helping those employers overcome challenges, expand operations, and remain competitive is often...Continue Reading

Workforce Development Fuels New Economic EngineRiverside, a historic neighborhood in Wilmington, DE, is demonstrating how community-centered workforce development can drive equitable economic revitalization. Key stakeholders implemented a holistic redevelopment model, the REACH Riverside initiative, to prioritize resident stability, workforce readiness, and long-term economic self-sufficiency. Early results show that investing in people,...Continue Reading

For many communities, the biggest barrier to airport development isn’t vision — it’s funding. City leaders worry about local match requirements. Airport managers feel overwhelmed by federal processes. Economic developers see opportunity but struggle to connect aviation investments to broader growth goals.The reality is, the funding is out there for...Continue Reading

Workforce Development Expands Careers and Economic Stability in IowaIn rural Iowa, long-term economic growth is being driven by strategic investment in local talent. Workforce development efforts in Winnebago and Worth Counties demonstrate how aligning education, training, and employer needs can strengthen businesses, expand opportunity for residents, and build resilient rural...Continue Reading

Golden Shovel Agency is proud to announce that multiple clients have earned recognition in the annual Texas Economic Development Council’s (TEDC) Workforce Excellence Awards and Economic Excellence Recognition programs. Both awards programs honor cities and economic development organizations for the work they have done to enhance the business climate in...Continue Reading

As manufacturers and other corporate leaders deal with increasing challenges, strong relationships with economic development professionals can help overcome obstacles. Yet many manufacturers overlook the valuable resources developers can provide.In her recent article for Industry Today, Golden Shovel Agency President Bethany Quinn explains how corporate leaders benefit from making early...Continue Reading

Economic Developers Can Meet ADA Deadlines, Reduce Risk, and Move Faster Without the Traditional RFP ProcessIf your economic development organization (EDO) is planning a new economic development website, issuing an RFP could cause delays that make it difficult for the organization to achieve its goals - especially if those goals...Continue Reading

Golden Shovel Agency President, Bethany Quinn's workforce article was published in FDI Alliance International Magazine's Winter 2026 Issue. In The Digital Bridge: Connecting Talent, Training, and Opportunity through Technology, she describes technology's impact on talent training, development and recruitment. Economic Developers and workforce leaders looking for innovative ways to grow...Continue Reading

Economic development has always been about aligning assets with opportunity. Developers in search of new investment must ensure they have the land, workforce, infrastructure, and incentives in place to support the development they hope to attract. Today, a new asset is quietly becoming the deciding factor in many growth decisions: energy...Continue Reading

Most communities believe they have time.Time to revisit their airport master plan. Time to think about autonomous aircraft once the technology matures. Time to decide whether advanced air mobility, electric aircraft, or on-demand aviation services are “real” or just another speculative trend.That assumption is the greatest risk facing local and...Continue Reading

Your economic development website is more than a brochure — it’s your digital front door for site selectors, corporate location advisors, and potential investors. When consultants evaluate communities, the first impression often comes from your online presence. A strong digital marketing strategy for economic development begins with a website that...Continue Reading

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE12/09/2025For more information, contact:Nathan Hansennhansen@goldenshovelagency.com612-414-0847Golden Shovel Agency CEO Aaron Brossoit named to NREDA BoardUnanimous vote will expand a longstanding relationship between Golden Shovel and NREDA Little Falls, MN – Golden Shovel Agency, the leading marketing and communications partner dedicated exclusively to economic development, is proud to announce that CEO...Continue Reading

By Bethany Quinn, President, Golden Shovel AgencyAs economic developers look for new ways to promote their communities online, adapting to an AI-driven search landscape has become essential. At Golden Shovel Agency, we’re helping organizations rethink their 2026 content strategies to ensure their communities stand out—both to people and to artificial...Continue Reading

Golden Shovel Agency is proud to announce that our clients have earned multiple honors in the annual Mid-America Economic Development Association (MAEDC) Economic Development Awards. Golden Shovel Agency clients have earned recognition for outstanding marketing programs, placemaking efforts and workforce development plans in the awards program, which recognize the efforts...Continue Reading

Economic developers routinely ask us what site consultants want to see on an economic development website and what steps they can take to get their community on the short list. In today’s fiercely competitive environment, communities are no longer simply competing on “nice place to live” or “low taxes.” They’re...Continue Reading

Why Your Economic Development Website Platform Matters Your economic development website is your community’s digital front door — and often the first impression for site selectors, businesses, and job seekers. It’s not just a marketing tool; it’s a business attraction engine.Yet most EDOs rely on platforms like WordPress, Wix, HubSpot, or...Continue Reading

Enhanced Tools for Business Attraction and Workforce Development Signal Bold Step Forward in Regional MarketingBRANSON, MO – Taney County Partnership is proud to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website, https://www.taneycountypartnership.com, developed in collaboration with Golden Shovel Agency. This modern, data-driven platform reflects the organization’s strategic focus on promoting...Continue Reading