Mitch Biersner, Program Manager for Grundy County Development Alliance, was one of 81 students representing five states attending the 25th annual Heartland Economic Development Course (EDC) April 15-19, 2012 at the Adams Pointe Conference Center in Blue Springs, MO.

The Heartland Economic Development Course allows participants to gain a better understanding of the full range of economic development strategies. The course instructs participants on the ways to maximize the use of local and external resources and attempts to impart an understanding of the effects of global competition on local efforts.

“With fierce competition among communities and regions for new sources of jobs, income and labor, enhanced professional skills and understanding of economic development techniques becomes absolutely critical for success,” says LaDene Bowen, Course Director for the Heartland EDC.

As the first economic development course targeted at professionals within the region, the curriculum for the Heartland EDC focuses on economic development factors relevant to the Great Plains states.

“My attending the Heartland Economic Development Course could not have happened at a better time. I have learned a lot from incentive financing to entrepreneurship and small business development to business retention & attraction and workforce development. I have a network of professionals on whom I can call and a toolbox of resources to better serve the residents and businesses of Grundy County,” said Biersner.

The Heartland Economic Development Course is one of 26 similar courses accredited by the International Economic Development Council. Completion of the course is the first step toward meeting the educational prerequisites for sitting for the certified professional economic developer exam administered by the IDEC.

The Heartland EDC is developed and directed by the Institute for Decision Making, Business and Community Services Division, University of Northern Iowa in cooperation with the Kansas Economic Development Alliance; Professional Developers of Iowa; Missouri Economic Development Council; Nebraska Economic Development Association; and the Oklahoma Economic Development Association.