Introduction to Economic Development Certificate Program (Keys Course)
We will have two separate Keys Courses in-person at Fresno State University in 2026:
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August 10-13
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October 19-22
CALED partners with The California Academy for Economic Development, Fresno State, and the University Business Center, to bring you the Introduction to Economic Development Certificate Program (also referred to as the “Keys to Successful Economic Development” course or “Keys Course”). This certificate program is designed as an introductory course for people who are generally interested in knowing more about how local economic development works, as well as for those people whose responsibilities include economic development assignments.
Registration for the 2026 trainings will open in late spring 2026. Please email helen@caled.org with questions and to be put on the notification list.
The Keys Course offers four days of everything you ever wanted to know about economic development. Take advantage of this in-depth interactive opportunity to discuss all aspects of economic development, including strategies, marketing, financing, incentives, business retention, business recruitment and resources. Attendees will get the opportunity to receive a professional certificate of completion in local economic development.
The course instructors and presenters are practicing professionals in local and state economic development who bring a great mix of knowledge and practical experience to the course, insuring a large dose of reality. This is the only course of its kind offered in California and is your twice a year opportunity to learn more about economic development.
**PLEASE READ:
CALED is accredited by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) to offer this course in California. In order to receive full IEDC certification credit for this course and a certificate indicating course completion, participants must attend the entire course and stay through the final session on the last day. Please make travel plans accordingly.
In order to receive a mailed copy of a Certificate of Completion, attendees must complete the final summary exam.
Course Topics Include:
- Developing an economic development strategy
- Basic and advanced financing techniques
- Workforce development
- Real estate development and reuse
- Business retention, expansion and creation techniques
- Community assessment and planning
- Marketing & Attraction
- How to Manage the Economic Development Organization
- Entrepreneurship & Small Business Strategies
- Ethics
Who Should Attend:
- Candidates for the Accredited California Economic Developer (ACE) certification
- Candidates for Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) IEDC certification
- Professionals new to the field of economic development
- Anyone who wants to learn the basics of economic development
- Practicing economic development professionals who want a refresher course on the basics
The program will be held in-person at the University Business Center (part of the Craig School of Business at Fresno State).
The University Business Center is located at 5245 N. Backer Ave., Fresno, CA 93740-8001 (between Shaw and Barstow taking the Woodrow Avenue entrance).
Special hotel rates have been negotiated for both the August and October trainings.
CALED member: $900*
Nonmember rate: $1,000* (Includes CALED membership effective through January 31, 2027, or the next applicable billing cycle. Membership will be added after completion of the training).
Please make check payable to: Fresno State University Foundation
Send check payment to:
Economic Development Certificate Program
University Business Center
Craig School of Business
5245 N. Backer M/S PB 5
Fresno, CA 93740-8001
To pay by Visa or Mastercard, please call: 559-278-2352
*Scholarships are available to CALED Members in good standing. You must meet the Scholarship Criteria in order to be considered.
Introduction to Economic Development Certificate Program: Keys to Successful Economic Development
August 10-13, 2026, and October 19-22, 2026
TENTATIVE AGENDA (Times subject to change)
Monday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
- 8:30-9 a.m. — Check-In
- 9-10:00 a.m. — Welcome, Introductions, and Defining Economic Development
- 10:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. — Strategic Planning
- 12:15-1:15 p.m. — Lunch
- 1-3:30 p.m. — Managing the Economic Development Organization
- 3:30-4:30p.m. — Networking
- 4:30-5:30 p.m. — Reception
Tuesday, 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
- 9-9:15 a.m. — Morning Welcome & Recap
- 9:15-11:30 a.m. — Real Estate Development and Reuse
- 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Lunch
- 12:30.-2:30 p.m. — Ethics & Economic Development
- 2:30-2:45 p.m. — Break
- 2:45-4:45 p.m. — Community/Neighborhood Development
Wednesday, 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
- 9-9:15 a.m. — Morning Welcome & Recap
- 9:15-11:30 a.m. — Workforce Development
- 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Lunch
- 12:30-2:30 p.m. — Business Retention & Expansion
- 2:30-2:45 p.m. — Break
- 2:45-4:45 p.m. — Marketing & Attraction
Thursday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- 9-9:15 a.m. — Morning Welcome & Recap
- 9:15-11:45 a.m. — Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development Strategies & Innovation
- 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Lunch
- 12:30-2:30 p.m. — Economic Development Finance
- 2:30-2:45 p.m. — Break
- 2:45-3:45 p.m. — Introduction to Economic Impact Analysis
- 3:45-4:15 p.m. — Q&A, Wrap Up, & Exam
**Agenda is subject to change**
2025 Class Photos
About IEDC
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,500 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. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions.
