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This article originally appeared on and was written for Evanston Wyoming Economic Development by Golden Shovel Agency. What is a Specific Purpose Sales and Use Tax? First, it’s a sales tax in Wyoming that goes by several names: SPOT, special purpose tax, penny tax, temporary penny tax, sixth penny tax, 6...Continue Reading

Anyone whose eye is on international news today can easily see how all aspects of a community are impacted when energy is scarce, unreliable, or unaffordable. Yet even under optimal conditions and ideal circumstances, successful economic development organizations fully understand why utility companies are invaluable working partners. Utility companies are crucia...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on and was written for Junction City-Geary County Economic Development Commission by Golden Shovel Agency. Fort Riley service members transitioning to civilian life in Junction City, Kansas, just got a powerful new tool through the Joint Military/Civilian Innovation (JMCI). The project is a collaboration between the City...Continue Reading

KEDA Honored for Digital Media During the IEDC Annual Conference WASHINGTON, D.C. – The International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the world's largest professional association for economic developers, has selected Kitsap Economic Development Alliance as a recipient of its 2022 Excellence Awards. During the IEDC Annual Conference, the awards honor organizations fo...Continue Reading

York County Development Corporation Honored for General Purpose Website During the IEDC Annual Conference WASHINGTON, D.C. – The International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the world's largest professional association for economic developers, has selected York County Development Corporation as a recipient of its 2022 Excellence Awards. During the IEDC Annual Conference, th...Continue Reading

“Education is now the #1 economic priority,” according to Don Gilman, CEO of Ignite College and Career Academy in Georgia. In the past, most economic development organizations focused their efforts on creating jobs and capital investment. Today, the pandemic’s “Great Resignation,” coupled with the high level of Baby Boomers retiring...Continue Reading

New Website Targets & Engages Site Selectors and Business Prospects ANDALUSIA, AL -- Covington County Economic Development Commission (CCEDC) recently launched a newly designed website, created by Golden Shovel Agency, to further strengthen its online presence and foster economic growth. The website is user-friendly, attention-grabbing, and packed with information about th...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on and was written for Palestine Economic Development by Golden Shovel Agency. In partnership with the Texas Historical Commission, the Palestine Main Street Program will host its annual “Imagine the Possibilities” historic downtown property tour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Th...Continue Reading

Marketing your quality of place, local events, and community brand are crucial to an economic development strategy because they can help with workforce and business recruitment. Forbes reported in 2017 that "Millennials want a better everything." Years later, that remains true, and other generations are joining them. People demand bette...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on and was written for Phelps County Development Corporation by Golden Shovel Agency. Workforce shortages are top of mind for many industries and businesses. Forbes reports that the Great Resignation seen at the beginning of the year has morphed into the “Great Reshuffle.” While 4.4 million American...Continue Reading

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts take more of a front seat in economic development strategy and growth. We see communities benefit from these efforts, and funders start to expect them when reviewing future plans. Convergent Nonprofit Solutions has managed capital campaigns for EDOs and Chambers of different sizes and scopes tha...Continue Reading

New Vibrant Website Engages Site Selectors, Business Owners, and Residents in Preston County KINGWOOD, WV -- Preston County Economic Development Authority recently launched a newly designed website, created by Golden Shovel Agency, to further strengthen its online presence and foster economic growth. The website has allowed the organization to showcase al...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on and was written for the City of Long Prairie by Golden Shovel Agency. The primary goal of the Long Prairie Area’s Chamber of Commerce is to promote businesses and nonprofits in the community while nurturing the livability and connectedness of the Long Prairie Area. Instead o...Continue Reading

New Websites Serve as First Point of Contact and Source of Information for Investors LONDON, United Kingdom -- Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA), Liberia National Investment Commission (LNIC), and Sierra Leone Import Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA) have launched newly designed websites in partnership with Wavteq and Golden Shovel Agency...Continue Reading

Meeting your community's existing needs while laying the groundwork for its anticipated need is more critical than ever. Meanwhile, the concept of infrastructure is evolving. In addition to being functional, capital improvements now need to be aesthetically pleasing and sustainable. They must also be planned, executed, and publicized to mak...Continue Reading

After two grueling pandemic years, a weary world rang in a tumultuous 2022. With rapid inflation, stock market volatility, and the global ripples caused by an excruciating war in Europe, the only certainty seems to be uncertainty. The current housing market is compounding those challenges in the United States. Thank...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on and was written for Redfield, South Dakota by Golden Shovel Agency. Doing our best to support a local business in the community has always been important, for the pandemic has shown that apart from the numbers, the seemingly vast expanse of restaurants, eateries, offices, and shop...Continue Reading

New Website Engages Businesses and Site Selectors Looking to Relocate or Startup RAMSEY, MN -- Minnesota Technology Corridor recently launched a newly redesigned website, created by Golden Shovel Agency, to further strengthen its online presence and foster economic growth. The website has a new and improved look and features all th...Continue Reading

Proving ROI for quality of place improvements typically centers around job creation and talent attraction. Economic development organizations understand that if their community does not have the workforce, they will likely not attract new companies to their area or see expansions in their local industries. A community's quality of life an...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on and was written for Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative by Golden Shovel Agency. Kyle Kramm, Seguin's Main Street & CVB Director, has a passion for working with small businesses and helping the community grow. He started in Seguin's economic development office as a college intern and ha...Continue Reading

Turning your downtown into a destination is a strategy that can help retain current residents and attract new ones. "We see rural communities struggle to retain their youth after graduation. Creating a thriving downtown area is one way to encourage them to stay. It creates a sense of place an...Continue Reading

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment has fallen to pre-pandemic levels, but that doesn’t mean the workforce is simply returning to normal. In March of 2022, a record 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs, leaving 1.9 job openings for every unemployed worker. According to the Institute o...Continue Reading

Redesigned Website Speaks to Community and Site Selectors PFLUGERVILLE, TX -- Pflugerville Community Development Corporation (PCDC) recently launched a redesigned website created by Golden Shovel Agency to strengthen its online presence further and foster economic growth. The website features much of the organization’s content on the homepage, and visitors can fin...Continue Reading

Sherman is Always Investing. Never Satisfied. SHERMAN, TX -- Sherman Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) recently launched a newly designed website created by Golden Shovel Agency to strengthen its online presence further and foster economic growth. The modern website includes a user-friendly menu bar, has access to quick link buttons on th...Continue Reading