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While earning my Graduate Certificate in Economic Development, I developed a stronger understanding of how public administrators, economic development professionals, businesses, and community organizations work together to strengthen local and regional economies. My coursework allowed me to explore economic development from both analytical and practical perspectives, including understanding local economic conditions, identifying community assets and challenges, and examining the roles of infrastructure, workforce development, and public policy in economic growth.
My certificate experience was further strengthened by attending Weeks One and Two of the Government and Economic Development Institute Intensive Economic Development Training Course. During Week One, I worked with a team to apply economic development concepts to a case study, with our group ultimately winning the case study competition. Week Two provided me with practical knowledge of Alabama-specific economic development resources, procedures, and tools, allowing me to better understand how economic development is carried out in practice. These experiences reinforced the importance of collaboration and showed me that successful economic development requires more than attracting new businesses. It requires understanding a community's needs, leveraging its existing assets, building partnerships, and creating conditions that support sustainable growth.
As I pursue a career in airport administration, I hope to apply this knowledge by utiliaing airports as vital economic assets that can support business investment, workforce opportunities, regional connectivity, and long-term community development.
In POLI 7700, I worked with a group to develop a community development strategy for Marengo County and present our recommendations to Angie Miller, Executive Director of the Marengo County Economic Development Authority. My primary contribution was developing two original economic development concepts based on the county’s existing challenges and assets. I proposed the Marengo Young Professionals & Entrepreneur Residency Program as a strategy for addressing population decline, workforce retention, and the loss of younger residents by connecting young professionals with housing, entrepreneurship support, and downtown opportunities. I also developed the Marengo Industrial Supplier & Innovation Network, which focused on strengthening existing manufacturers through supplier mapping, workforce development, and targeted recruitment of complementary businesses.
This project taught me that effective economic development strategies should be built around the specific assets and challenges of a community rather than relying on generic approaches. Presenting our recommendations directly to an economic development practitioner also gave me valuable experience communicating ideas intended for real-world application. Most importantly, I gained a better understanding of how economic developers can combine workforce development, business recruitment, entrepreneurship, education, infrastructure, and partnerships to pursue long-term community growth. I will carry this approach into my career by looking first at a community’s existing strengths and then identifying practical ways to build upon them.
Also in POLI 7700, I completed an analysis of Marengo County to better understand the economic conditions, assets, and challenges that shape local economic development. The assignment required me to examine population trends, educational attainment, employment, wages, industry concentration, workforce movement, infrastructure, and quality-of-life indicators. Through this project, I learned how economic developers can use data to develop a more complete picture of a community rather than relying on a single measure of economic performance. My analysis showed that Marengo County faces significant challenges, including population decline, workforce leakage, and low labor force participation, while also possessing important strengths in manufacturing and natural-resource industries.
I was able to use location quotients and other economic indicators to identify these existing advantages and consider how they could support business recruitment, workforce development, and future investment. This assignment strengthened my ability to interpret local economic data and, more importantly, translate that information into potential economic development strategies. As I continue my career in public administration, I can apply these skills to better understand the communities I serve and make decisions based on their specific economic conditions, needs, and opportunities.
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