Establishing the Foundation (ETF)
Economic Development - Establishing the Foundation (ETF)
Your journey starts here!
Economic development is about building strong, resilient, and prosperous communities.
Establishing the Foundation (ETF) is the cornerstone of EDA's Community Economic Development Certificate Program. This core course provides the essential knowledge, tools, and frameworks needed to understand the modern practice of economic development and build a strong foundation for success in the profession.
Participants will learn how to analyze community conditions, identify opportunities, develop strategic plans, implement initiatives, measure results, and build partnerships that support long-term economic growth and resilience. The course also introduces EDA's six-factor Community Economic Resilience framework, helping participants understand the broader factors that influence community prosperity.
Whether you are new to economic development or looking to strengthen your understanding of the field, ETF provides the practical skills and confidence needed to support informed decision-making and effective economic development practice.
This is a core course within the Community Economic Development Certificate Program and serves as the foundation for all other EDA Institute courses.
COURSE OUTCOMES
- Explain the purpose, principles, and evolving role of economic development in today's communities.
- Understand the roles of Council, administration, and economic development practitioners in supporting community growth.
- Collect, interpret, and apply economic and community data to support evidence-based decision-making.
- Use community analysis tools to identify needs, assets, opportunities, gaps, and strategic priorities.
- Develop and contribute to Strategic Economic Development Plans that align with community goals and capacity.
- Understand and apply foundational economic development strategies, including Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E), Business Investment & Attraction (BI&A), workforce development, and tourism development.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships, secure resources, and build community capacity.
- Measure outcomes and evaluate the effectiveness of economic development initiatives.
- Apply a resilience lens to economic development using EDA's six-factor Community Economic Resilience framework.
- Build a strong foundation for continued professional development through the EDA Institute and the Community Economic Development Certificate Program.
Delivery Option & Cost
Individual
Online, self-directed learning. Available 24-7.
$195 Members $295 Non-Members
Group
Hybrid- Online:
Self-directed, augmented with live instructor sessions
$325 Members $435 Non-Members
In person:
Group session in your community. One day instructor-led online workshop.
$2950 Members $3450 Non-Members