Reimagining a Stronger Economic Future: More Resilient, Diverse and Sustainable
We will remember 2020 as a year like no other.
A global pandemic, a new political administration and a much deeper (and much needed) scrutiny of social issues and policies tested communities like never before. This sea change brought to light both opportunities and vulnerabilities that state and local leaders are now tasked with addressing.
As we look at 2020 in the rearview mirror, DCI set out to better understand specifically how the economic development industry is emerging from this tumultuous time and how industry leaders from across the country expect to move forward.
Looking at research conducted in partnership with the Site Selectors Guild on their predictions for 2021, coupled with interviews conducted by DCI’s President Julie Curtin and Robyn Domber, Vice President of Research, with 11 regional and state economic development practitioners across the United States, DCI’s research reveals four key predictions for 2021 and beyond:
- Continued Project Momentum
- The Greater the Challenges, The Greater the Innovation
- Smaller Areas, Bigger Opportunities
- Demographics and De-globalization – Talent Remains the Top Factor
The bottom line: It is a pivotal time for economic developers to evolve and take on new roles to contribute to their community’s economic recovery and to ensure more resilient, more diverse and more sustainable economies.

Outlook for the Economic Development Industry: Four Predictions for 2021
Download the report to learn how the economic development industry is emerging from the tumultuous past year and how industry leaders from across the country expect to move forward in 2021.
