Thank you for your interest in the Fundamentals of Economic Development Chancellor’s Certificate program.
2025 program will run on Wednesdays, March 26 - May 7.
Economic Development is key to regional success. This Chancellor's Certificate program, Fundamentals of Economic Development, covers introductory economic and community development concepts and tools to attract, assess, and support development and redevelopment opportunities in our communities. Course modules will lead participants through the steps necessary to develop and implement economic development plans and projects.
This introductory program is designed for:
- Public sector economic development commissioners and staff
- Special taxing district commissioners and staff
- Elected officials
- Community Development Corporation board members and staff
- Private sector specialists
- Citizens and students interested in economic/community development
When: Wednesday, March 26 to May 7 from 6-9 p.m. You may sign up for entire course or individual modules. Download a PDF brochure of the entire program.
Where: UMSL at Grand Center, 3651 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63018 and on-site at specific development sites (see individual modules for other location details).
Registration Fee: $450 for the Entire Session of 7 modules, or $75 for individual modules.
Instructors: Course instructors are senior economic development professionals working in Missouri and Illinois, representing nonprofit, public, and private perspectives.
Partnership: The course is offered by the UMSL Public Policy Administration program and the Urban Land Institute–St. Louis.
Chancellor's Certificate: Earn a noncredit UMSL Chancellor's Certificate in Fundamentals of Economic Development by completing six of the seven modules in this year's program. Please note, hours from this course WILL NOT carry over to next year's program. To receive the chancellor's certificate, you MUST attend at least six modules during this session.
Registration Information:
Click below to register for the Entire Course or to register for individual modules click on the Module Number under Module Descriptions. To register by phone call (314) 516-8419. Questions call (314) 516-5353.
Entire Course | March 26 to May 7 | Fundamentals of Economic Development
Module Descriptions:
Module 1 | March 26 | Economic Development - A Public Perspective
Learn about the role of local government in economic development and discuss the necessary conditions to foster a successful business climate. Consider the many facets of economic development and how they relate to different sectors and stakeholders.
Instructors: Amy Hamilton, City Manager, City of Richmond Heights, MO;
Julianne Stone, Adjunct Faculty, UMSL Public Policy Administration
Module 2 | April 2 | The Role of Economic Development in Growing Cities
Economic Development today focuses on building communities where people want to live, work, and spend time. In order to remain viable, today's municipalities need to ensure continued economic growth that supports citizens expectations.
Instructors: Patrick McKeehan, Director of Economic Development, City of O'Fallon, MO
Module 3 | April 9 | Municipal & Statewide Economic Development Planning and Business Attraction
How do cities plan for economic development? Do municipal economic development plans, regulations, and marketing support business attraction efforts and align with what companies are looking for and residents want?
Instructor: David Leezer, Interim City Manager/Economic Development Director, City of Hazelwood, MO; Cara Weber, Vice President, Business Recruitment, Missouri Partnership
Module 4 | April 16 | Regional Assets: Driving Economic Development
Field Trip: Learn about current and planned updates at Lambert Airport and understand the regional and national economic drivers of these activities. Followed by a panel of experts discussing how a coordinated approach and intergovernmental collaboration impacts economic development efforts at the local level.
Instructors: Rhonda Hamm-Niebrugge, Executive Director, St. Louis Lambert International Airport;
Tom Blair, St. Louis District Engineer, MoDOT; Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President, Multi-Modal Enterprises, Bi-State Development
Location: Lindbergh Room, St. Louis Lambert International Airport
Module 5 | April 23 | Where the Rubber Meets the Road - Understanding the Developer's Perspective
The plan is in place. What's next? Understand the basics of the development process and the numbers that make the deal work, including the language of developers and contractors and the expectations of those with whom you are doing business.
Instructor: John Langa, Vice President, Economic Development, Bi-State Development
Module 6 | April 30 | Community Development from the Ground Up: Rebuilding the Legacy
Field Trip: Tour and learn about community and economic development efforts in The Ville, and historic black neighborhood, supported by public and nonprofit community based efforts to safeguard the neighborhood's legacy and catalyze preservation through tourism, art and economic development.
Instructors: Aaron Williams, Board Member, Northside Community Housing & Founder, 4theVille
Location: Northside Community Housing Inc., 4069 Lincoln Ave. St. Louis, MO
Module 7 | May 7 | The Intersection of Community and Business
Explore the connections between community development and economic development. Discuss the importance of place-making, infrastructure, and comprehensive planning for attracting residents, workers, and businesses. Understand the role of community-based financial economic development.
Instructor: Matt Wetli, Principal, Development Strategies; Paul Woodruff, Vice President of Community Development, St. Louis Community Credit Union
Cancellation policy: For those who register for the Entire Session, cancellations received five business days prior to the first date of the program will be refunded, less a $25 processing fee. For those who register for Individual Modules, cancellations received five business days prior to the date of the module that you wish to cancel will be refunded, less a $25 processing fee.
Unless you cancel as per the guidelines noted above, even if you do not attend class, you will be billed for the registration fee once you register.
Payment Due: For those registering for the Entire Session, if payment is not received at least two days before the first class, we reserve the right to cancel your registration. For those registering for Individual Modules, if payment is not received at least two days before the module date, we reserve the right to cancel your registration.
