Shan Harris, Regional Economic Development Specialist of the Tennessee Department of ECD, of Monroe County, attended the Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course, May 12-16 in Nashville.

The course, which was hosted by the Tennessee Leadership Center and the State Department of Economic and Community Development, focused on developing professional economic development skills. Accredited by the International Economic Development Council, the course is the first of four requirements for Harris to become a Certified Economic Development Professional.

The four-day course featured experienced instructors from the UT Institute for Public Service, TVA, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Tourist Development and Labor and Workforce Development and USDA Rural Development, as well as respected local economic development professionals from across Tennessee and the country. BEDC sessions covered topics such as financing economic development, the industrial site selection process, community research and analysis, global trends in economic development, strategic planning and workforce development.

The Tennessee Leadership Center is committed to focusing resources to create economic and community development opportunities in rural Tennessee. The Leadership Center, a program of ECD, provides training, education and consulting in economic and community development strategies.