Registration is now open for Heartland 2025. This course will be held at Adams Pointe Conference Center in Blue Springs, MO on April 29-May 2, 2025.
To register, visit Welcome to Heartland! | Heartland (uni.edu)
Learn all the key elements of economic development:
- Business Retention & Expansion
- EDO Management
- Economic Development Ethics
- Strategic Planning
- Workforce Development
- Real Estate Development & Reuse
- Small Business & Entrepreneurial Development
- Neighborhood/Community Development
- Economic Development Finance
- Marketing & Business Attraction
- Understanding Site Selection
- Rural Development
Below are some positive comments about the Course:
“Attending Heartland Basics was a wonderful experience! It was fun and exciting to learn and interact with other peers involved economic development. It is a valuable course and I highly recommend to anyone interested in economic development.”
- Sara Groteluschen – Nebraska Public Power District – Economic Development Specialist
“Attending the Heartland Economic Development Basics Course helped build a foundation for growth as a new executive director for our local ED program. Topics covered throughout the week were all pertinent to my job, many of which will be very helpful in the years to come. We had the opportunity to tour creative business concepts, downtown revitalization projects, and draws for tourism. I enjoyed networking with ED professionals from across the Midwest, many that I have stayed in touch with and attend meetings with on a regular basis. I would highly recommend attending Heartland at any point in your economic development related career!
- Melissa Dush – Sherman County Economic Development, Inc. – Executive Director
Attending the Heartland Economic Development Course has proven to be very beneficial in my daily operations as an Economic Development Coordinator. Getting to learn firsthand from industry professionals on various ED topics, and see how some of those concepts have come to fruition in the communities surrounding Blue Springs, MO has been instrumental in the way I approach the challenges presented to me in Laurel, NE. The ability to network with peers at HEDC, and continue those relationships going forward, has given me a broader knowledge base and great set of contacts and colleagues to work with.
- Dan Kuhlman – City of Laurel – Economic Development Coordinator