News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 3, 2025For more information, contact:Bethany QuinnPresidentGolden Shovel Agencybquinn@goldenshovelagency.comGolden Shovel Agency Clients Win IEDC Awards, Recognized as International Leaders in Economic DevelopmentFive organizations take home IEDC 2025 Excellence Awards for standout strategies in community advancement and innovationLITTLE FALLS, MN – Five Golden Shovel Agency (GSA) clients received a...Continue Reading

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

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

This article originally appeared on and was written for Rural Electric Economic Development, Inc. by Golden Shovel Agency.The Sisseton Youth Baseball Association recently received a $150,000 loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Whetstone Valley Electric to replace the lighting in its baseball field. The loan covered half the...Continue Reading

Site selection has always been about more than numbers. Spreadsheets can point to available sites and costs, but they can't capture the culture of a community, the resilience of its workforce or the values of its leadership. Today, artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the process of site selection by handling...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on and was written for Emporia Regional Development Association by Golden Shovel Agency.Residents and visitors traveling through Emporia, Kansas, can refuel at Gravel City Roasters at 715 Commercial Street. Joe Corn has owned the coffee shop since 2023, but has enjoyed making delicious drinks and treats...Continue Reading

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 22, 2025For more information, contact:Jana RosierDirector of Member Servicesjrosier@osagevalley.com(660) 679-3131Modern Features Improve Accessibility, Support Economic Growth, and Reinforce the Cooperative’s Role as a Community PartnerBUTLER, MO – Osage Valley Electric Cooperative is excited to announce the launch of its new website, https://www.osagevalley.com, developed in partnership with Golden...Continue Reading

AI Optimization for Economic Developers sounds like a mouthful but it really means creating web and marketing content that both humans and artificial intelligence tools can easily understand, interpret, and recommend. In other words - can AI read and understand the content being published on your website as easily as...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on and was written for Odessa Development by Golden Shovel Agency.Odessa isn’t competing on potential. It’s competing with strategy. Every incentive offered by the Odessa Development Corporation (ODC) is tied to measurable business impact, whether it’s new jobs, increased payroll, or capital investment. These tools aren’t...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on and was written for DRIVE Industry PA by Golden Shovel Agency.Talent retention is essential for any community’s growth, and the Residents Auxiliary is doing its part to help medical residents fall in love with Central Pennsylvania. The organization brings together doctors and their families through...Continue Reading

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASETuesday, Oct 7, 2025For more information, contact:John Dicksonjdickson@ci.greenville.tx.us (903) 455-1197The site will be a valuable resource for bringing businesses to the region.GREENVILLE, TX – The Greenville Board of Development (GBOD) launched a new website, https://www.greenvilletxedc.com/, in August 2025 with new information and features designed to attract businesses to the...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on and was written for Wyandotte Economic Development Council by Golden Shovel Agency.The Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) has developed a workforce development model that addresses business demand at the speed of industry change. Through direct collaboration with companies, KCKCC designs training programs that match...Continue Reading

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 2, 2025For more information, contact:Kelly Guffeykelly@explorecumberlandcounty.com(270) 864-5890BURKESVILLE, KY—Explore Cumberland County Alliance is proud to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website, ExploreCumberlandCounty.com, developed in partnership with Golden Shovel Agency. The updated site offers a more user-friendly experience, enhanced visual appeal, and streamlined navigation, all designed to...Continue Reading

AI is changing everything. Of course, you have probably heard that already, but in marketing it’s close to true! Run a simple Google search to see what we’re talking about. Something as simple as Google results - a feature we all rely on - has changed.Over the past year, AI...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on and was written for Hancock County Economic Development Council by Golden Shovel Agency.Medical device companies measure success in precision, efficiency, and speed. Hancock County, Indiana, provides a foundation that matches those priorities with move-in-ready industrial buildings, development-ready sites, and direct access to a workforce pipeline...Continue Reading

New Website Provides Modern Tools for Site Selectors, Entrepreneurs, and Visitors Exploring the RegionGUN BARREL CITY, TX – The Gun Barrel City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announces the launch of its newly redesigned website, https://www.gbcedc.com/, developed in partnership with Golden Shovel Agency. The revamped site offers a modern, user-friendly experience...Continue Reading

By immersing users in an experience, VR provides an introduction to industrial opportunities, expanding businesses and new ways of working.By Bethany Quinn, President, Golden Shovel AgencyWorkforce attraction and retention is a pressing need for U.S. companies and a core program of work for the economic development organizations supporting them. This...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on and was written for Preble County Development Partnership by Golden Shovel Agency.When a global brand like Royal Canin, backed by Mars Incorporated, chooses to invest $450 million in a rural community, the message is loud and clear: Preble County is a business investment destination that...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on and was written for Mission West Community Development Partners by Golden Shovel Agency.Surrounded by scenery that begs for a second look, Lake, Sanders, and Mineral Counties, as well as the Flathead Indian Reservation, are tapping into tourism grants that will ignite the revitalization of the...Continue Reading

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 9, 2025For more information, contact:Kayla Arnoldkarnold@westfield.in.gov(463) 214-1928Innovative platform reflects Westfield’s commitment to business growth and investmentWESTFIELD, IN—The City of Westfield (IN) Economic Development Department proudly introduces its new website, westfieldecdev.com, created in partnership with Golden Shovel Agency. The new website establishes a consistent brand aligned with the...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on and was written for Acadiana Planning Commission by Golden Shovel Agency.A $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is helping the Acadiana Planning Commission plan a future for underutilized properties in four Acadiana communities. The FY2025 Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grant awarded in May...Continue Reading

Simplify Your Travel Plans with the New Events Calendar and Hand-Crafted ItinerariesPASADENA, TX — The Pasadena Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) has officially launched a new tourism website for the city’s new Destination Marketing Program, Visit Pasadena, created in partnership with Golden Shovel Agency. This website is a valuable resource for...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on and was written for Twin Cities Development Association by Golden Shovel Agency.Childcare is a national economic development issue, with up to 1.9 million parents reducing their hours or missing work monthly because of inadequate childcare. Lack of access is also felt in Scotts Bluff County,...Continue Reading

This article originally appeared on and was written for Greater Freemont Development Council by Golden Shovel Agency.To address the childcare shortage and challenges related to affordable and accessible care in the area, the Greater Fremont Development Council (GFDC) teamed up with Midland University MBA students to pinpoint what could be...Continue Reading