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News Articles
Best Economic Development Websites for 2025
Dec 16 2024In 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...
In today’s unpredictable global trade environment, local businesses—especially small and medium-sized ones—are under immense pressure. From rising tariffs and disrupted supply chains to ongoing inflation, they’re facing operational challenges that threaten their long-term viability. For chambers of commerce and economic development organizations (EDOs), this is a critical moment to step...
This article originally appeared on and was written for the City of Tracy Economic Development by Golden Shovel Agency.California’s Central Valley is an economic hub known as one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. However, Tracy is on track to become a hub for recreational tourism, offering...
Beyond the Website: The Overlooked Marketing Tactics That Help Rural Communities Compete
Mar 31 2025Why a Website Alone Isn’t EnoughA modern, data-driven economic development website is a crucial first step, but it’s not the only piece of the marketing puzzle. Many rural communities invest in building a website, launch it with great anticipation, and then... wait. They assume that because they now have a...
Greenfield Main Street, Inc. is Helping Accelerate the Growth of Downtown Greenfield, IN
Mar 26 2025This article originally appeared on and was written for Hancock Economic Development Council by Golden Shovel Agency.Picture a downtown where history comes alive, the community thrives, and local businesses are the heartbeat of the community. That's Downtown Greenfield, Indiana—a place full of character and charm. Since 2008, Greenfield Main Street,...
Ten Recommendations for Promoting Rural Communities to Attract Talent, Investment, and Businesses
Mar 24 2025Rural communities hold immense potential for growth, innovation, and development. However, capitalizing on this potential requires strategic efforts highlighting your rural community and its unique advantages. At Golden Shovel Agency, we specialize in empowering economic developers to promote their regions effectively.Why Promoting Rural Communities MattersEconomic development in rural areas is...
Digital Marketing vs. Traditional Marketing for Rural Economic Development: What Actually Works?
Mar 17 2025The Shift Toward Digital MarketingFor years, rural economic development marketing has relied on traditional methods–brochures, trade shows, networking events, and newspaper ads. These tactics have their place, but they also come with limitations. They’re expensive, time-consuming, and often difficult to measure.Meanwhile, digital marketing is changing how rural communities attract businesses,...
New Site Features Enhanced Loan Payment Portal, Improved Usability, and Clearer Resources to Support Business Growth and Community DevelopmentRONAN, MT–Mission West Community Development Partners (MWCDP) is proud to announce the launch of its newly designed website, missionwestcdp.org, developed in collaboration with Golden Shovel Agency. The refreshed online platform aims to...
New Platform Features Interactive Map, Event Submissions, and Enhanced User Experience to Highlight Sumter County’s Attractions and Support Local BusinessesWILDWOOD, FL–Discover Sumter is proud to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website, discoversumterfl.com, created in collaboration with Golden Shovel Agency. The updated platform features a modern, user-friendly design with...
This article originally appeared on and was written for Gage Area Growth Enterprise (NGage) by Golden Shovel Agency.Well, actually, you can spell ‘economic development’ without the letters “L,” “A,” “N,” and “D,” but proper economic development becomes extremely difficult without suitable locations - land as well as existing buildings -...
Community branding is an essential component of successful economic development strategies for regions competing for new businesses, residents, and tourism revenue. Your community’s brand is its identity. Successfully translating this to others through websites, marketing collateral, and social media helps economic development organizations connect with prospects using a cohesive, authentic...
The Workforce Crisis in Rural AmericaWorkforce shortages are one of the biggest obstacles rural communities face today. Businesses are struggling to fill open positions, young professionals are leaving for bigger cities, and many rural regions simply aren’t on the radar for job seekers. The issue isn’t always about the availability...
How the City of Elk River Economic Development Authority Supports Businesses and Residents
Feb 26 2025This article originally appeared on and was written for the City of Elk River Economic Development by Golden Shovel Agency.When a new business opens in the City of Elk River, residents rush to support it. They want to see local entrepreneurs, franchisees, or newly-arrived companies thrive, while also enjoying the...
Redesigned Site Offers Fresh Look, Enhanced Features, and Valuable Resources for Thayer County’s Growth and Community EngagementHEBRON, NE–The Thayer County Economic Development Alliance (TCEDA) is proud to announce the launch of its redesigned website, created in collaboration with Golden Shovel Agency. This new and improved online presence aims to better...
Formulating an effective economic development strategy requires asking a full range of questions to identify community needs and priorities. Comprehensive economic development plans should address pressing and long-term needs in a community. Collaborating with key stakeholders ensures challenges and opportunities across all community sectors are acknowledged and considered as strategies...
The Risk of Marketing Without a PlanMany rural communities struggle to attract business investment, site selectors, and workforce talent–not because they lack opportunity, but because they don’t have a clear economic development marketing strategy.We’ve seen it happen time and time again. Economic developers in rural America rely on one-off marketing...
Different Tropes for Different Folks: Grapevine’s Shopping Districts Partner Up With Romance Themes
Feb 12 2025This article originally appeared on and was written for Grapevine Economic Development by Golden Shovel Agency.February shopping leans into love, but Grapevine’s retail, restaurant, and dining options have romance covered 52 weeks a year. Whether date night includes family fun, fine dining, or a stroll through downtown, a distinctive experience...
New Site Features Interactive Tools and Highlights Cultural, Recreational, and Business Opportunities in Pasadena, TXPASADENA, TX–The Pasadena Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) is proud to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website, created in collaboration with Golden Shovel Agency. The updated site, www.pasadenaedc.com, offers a more user-friendly interface and enhanced...
The best economic development strategies improve the quality of life in a city, county, or state. They create a place where people are happy to live, work, and play. This means providing jobs with good wages, recruiting new businesses to meet local needs and expand employment opportunities, and offering a...
Empowering Business Growth with User-Friendly Features and Real-Time Property ListingsKINGSPORT, TN–The City of Kingsport Economic Development Board is excited to announce the launch of its newly redesigned economic development website, created in collaboration with Golden Shovel Agency. The revamped site, kingsportecondev.org, offers an enhanced user experience and features designed to...
Creating a successful economic development strategy is a highly organized process, but it can also be a fun, productive experience for a community. Holding meaningful discussions about the strengths and challenges everyone is facing prompts positive change and a more prosperous future. Whether you enlist assistance from a third-party expert...
A Robust Digital Platform Showcasing Opportunities, Resources, and Investment PotentialAUBURN, WA–The City of Auburn is proud to announce the launch of its new economic development website, https://www.ecdev.auburnwa.gov/, developed in partnership with Golden Shovel Agency. The new website is designed to support Auburn’s business community by offering valuable resources, highlighting available...
Quinn to Lead the Continued Growth of U.S.-Based Economic Development Strategy and Communications FirmMinneapolis, Minnesota – Golden Shovel Agency, a leading economic development strategy and communications firm, proudly announces Bethany Quinn as its new President. Founded in 2009, the Minnesota-based company has helped communities across the country attract billions of...
This article originally appeared on and was written for the Wyoming Economic Development Association by Golden Shovel Agency.TerraPower, in collaboration with GE Hitachi, has started construction on Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1 in Western Wyoming, and development will continue through 2029. If everything stays on schedule, the first nuclear power...