Fuel the Growth

BHSU-IEDC Basic Economic Development Course

Registration is OPEN - Register Now

Advancing Economic Development in Communities

Basic Economic Development Course

Black Hills State University - Rapid City (BHSU-RC)

(Located near Exit 61)

October 6-9, 2025

Starts at noon on the 6th and ends at 4 pm on the 9th, Mountain Daylight Time.

Overview
Course Details
Topics

Premier Sponsors
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Premier Sponsor

Economic Development Professionals Association

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Premier Sponsor

SD Governor's Office of Economic Development

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Supporting Sponsors
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Supporting Sponsor

Black Hills Energy

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Supporting Sponsor

West River Foundation

Overview

We are pleased to invite you to attend Fuel the Growth - BHSU-IEDC Basic Economic Development Course – 2025: Advancing Economic Development in Communities from October 6-9, 2025, at Black Hills State University–Rapid City!  

This Basic Economic Development Course will cover 10 economic development topics. Participants will learn from experts and colleagues through presentations, panel discussions, case studies, and networking opportunities.

Topics included

  • Business Development: Business Retention & Expansion, Real Estate Development & Reuse, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Development,  Economic Development Finance and Marketing/Attraction 
  • Organizational Development: Strategic Planning, Managing Economic Development Organizations, Economic Development Ethics 
  • Community Development: Community/Neighborhood Development & Workforce Development

Please see the tentative course schedule below.

 

Classroom with students at Fuel the Growth

Hosts and Accreditation
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Hosting Partner

Black Hills State University

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Hosting Partner

Rushmore Regional Alliance

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Accreditation

International Economic Development Council

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Course Details

  • Registration Fee:
    • $850 per person, which includes:
      • all in-person sessions
      • the IEDC manual,  Introduction to Economic Development
      • all group activities
    • Registration will open online on May 13 , 2025. Payments may be made by credit card.
  • Lodging: Fuel the Growth – Rapid City Discount Code
    We’re pleased to offer a special discount for participants attending the Fuel the Growth - BHSU-IEDC Basic Economic Development Course in Rapid City from October 6th–9th, 2025.
    Please see below for the exclusive Marriott discount code available at Liv Hospitality’s Watiki properties in Rapid City. This code is valid for stays at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, Residence Inn, and Courtyard by Marriott.
    Online Booking Code: B5870
    (Guests may book online or by calling the hotel and referencing this code.)
  • Sustainability: As sustainability is a key area of focus at BHSU, at check-in participants will receive a password-protected link to the Course presentations. A portfolio for note-taking and several printed documents (training schedule, presenter bios) will also be provided to each participant at check-in. Printed copies of the presentations will not be provided.

IEDC Accreditation

This course is accredited by the International Economic Development Council. It fulfills one of the prerequisites for those who wish to take the examinations for the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation.

The IEDC is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving and supporting economic developers. Course participants are eligible for a 10 percent discount on IEDC membership for up to 120 days after completing this basic economic development course. For the full list of upcoming training courses, please visit the IEDC website.

IEDC Logo for Accreditation

International Economic Development Council 
1275 K Street, Suite 300. Washington, DC 20005-4083. 
P: (202) 223-7800 |  W: iedconline.org