(Cleveland, OH) – Nicole Sedlacek, Economic Development Specialist for Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) out of O’Neill, Nebraska, earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a national recognition that denotes a mastery of skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to personal and professional growth.
The CEcD exam was administered by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) on September 24-25, 2016 in Cleveland, OH at the Westin Downtown Cleveland. With nine years of economic development experience, Sedlacek began her career in economic development managing Holt County Economic Development’s programming where she served as Executive Director. In April of this year, she joined the economic development team at NPPD as an Economic Development Specialist and specializes in lead generation, business retention and expansion, and strategic planning.
The CEcD designation recognizes qualified and dedicated practitioners in the economic development field and sets the standard of excellence within the profession. Candidates must pass a rigorous and comprehensive examination, which has three parts and spans two days. The exam tests a practitioner’s knowledge, proficiency and judgment in the following key areas of economic development:
- business retention and expansion
- finance & credit analysis
- marketing and attraction
- strategic planning
- entrepreneurial & small business development
- managing economic development organizations
- neighborhood development strategies
- real estate development & reuse
- technology-led economic development
- workforce development strategies
As highly competent economic development professionals, Certified Economic Developers work with public officials, business leaders and community members to create leadership to build upon and maximize the economic development sector. Excellence in the economic development profession improves the wellbeing, quality of life and opportunities for individuals, businesses 2 and communities. There are less than 20 active CEcDs in Nebraska and currently over 1,100 active CEcDs internationally.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,700 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal
governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities and a variety of other institutions. IEDC’s members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities and improve the quality of life in their regions. www.iedcONLINE.org.