CHENANGO COUNTY – The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) was formed in 2001 when the American Economic Development Council and Council for Urban Economic Development merged, creating a single entity with a past going back 90 years (as of this year).

The IEDC provides professional development services, advisory services, analysis of economic development related policy, and advocating on behalf of economic development efforts. They are the foremost organization of this kind.

When the IEDC announced that 2016 was the “Year of the Economic Developer,” to coincide with its 90th anniversary, professionals in the field paid attention. The prestige of the organization and rarity of such proclamations lent weight to the designation.

The week of May 8 through May 14, furthermore, has been named “Economic Development Week.”

According to IEDC, the aim for Economic Development Week is to “celebrate achievements within the economic development profession.”

As such, Development Chenango will be using this week as an opportunity to promote available services to the county, gather feedback from Chenango County residents, and hear what else people think can be done to help.

Development Chenango says 2016 is as good a time as any to start a new business; and for those who have an idea in mind, there are plenty of resources to get started in Chenango County. Development Chenango has low interest loans to assist small businesses and farmers looking to expand. It can guide people through the application process for a state grant (New York’s 2016 Consolidated Funding Application Available Resources were released recently).