Essential Economic Development
A Foundation Course for Local and Regional Economic Development
17 lessons, 2.5 hours. Learn the fundamentals of local and regional economic development for free.
Access the course via our community learning site. Or subscribe via email to get a daily lesson emailed directly to you.
Access via our community learning site:
Access the course via our community learning site here. The 17 lessons are structured as follows:
1. Rationale for Local and Regional Economic Development
2. Overview of themes and functions
3. Understanding economics and economic trends
4. Megatrends
5. Theory of Economic Development
6. Policy
7. Strategy
8. Intelligence & insight
9. Industrial development & clusters
10. Enterprise & entrepreneurship
11. Inward investment / FDI
12. Labour markets
13. Education & skills
14. Economic Participation, Employability and Unemployment
15. Poverty & inequality
16. Place & infrastructure
17. Low carbon, climate change & sustainability
Register here to get free access to the Foundation course’s 17 lessons
Email course: Register below for your 17-Daily lessons by email
Area Development Online Current Issue Feed: Leading Metro Locations 2025: Smaller Markets, Stronger Momentum
Source: Area Development Online Current Issue Feed Author: unknown Date published: 2026-01-15 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Each year, Area Development partners with Chmura Economics & Analytics to evaluate the performance of U.S....
Area Development Online Current Issue Feed: Front Line: A Single Front Door for Corporate Investment in Fort Worth
Source: Area Development Online Current Issue Feed Author: unknown Date published: 2026-01-15 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] In 2023, the city and its business community created the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership (EDP), a...
Area Development Online Current Issue Feed: The Skilled Trades Are Ready for a Digital Future
Source: Area Development Online Current Issue Feed Author: unknown Date published: 2026-01-15 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Navigating the intricacies of the skilled trades industry has never been straightforward, but today we’re standing...
Combined Authorities (England): Devolution decisions go before council cabinet
Source: Combined Authorities (England) Author: Sarah Booker-Lewis - local democracy reporter Date published: 2026-01-15 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The government may have postponed the election of the first mayor of Sussex for two...
Cities & Communities | Brookings: Exploring and expanding skills development across the built environment
Source: Cities & Communities | Brookings Author: unknown Date published: 2026-01-15 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Executive summary Millions of workers construct, operate, and maintain the nation’s built environment systems and...
Local Economies (UK): Mayor’s boost for London’s Creative Enterprise Zones with further £2.2 million to reverse decline in artist studios
Source: Local Economies (UK) Author: 2026-01-15T13:20:02+0000 Date published: 2026-01-15 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The Mayor’s hugely successful Creative Enterprise Zones will increase permanent affordable creative workspace in the...
SmartCitiesWorld News: Which cities have improved their use of data?
Source: SmartCitiesWorld News Author: SmartCitiesWorld news team Date published: 2026-01-15 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Which cities have improved their use of data?What Works Cities Certification aims to be the international standard...
Regional Economies: Anthropic Economic Index report: Economic primitives
Source: Regional Economies Author: unknown Date published: 2026-01-15 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] IntroductionHow is AI reshaping the economy?This report introduces new metrics of AI usage to provide a rich portrait of interactions with...
Regional Economies: Welcome to the UK: How can FDI help reignite the country’s growth?
Source: Regional Economies Author: unknown Date published: 2026-01-15 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The United Kingdom’s economy is navigating a complex convergence of structural and geopolitical challenges. Subdued growth, driven by the...