Mid-America EDC

What Mid-America EDC does

Mid-America EDC (legally MidAmerica Economic Development Council) is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) professional association headquartered in Worthington, Ohio, serving economic development professionals, state agencies, local EDOs, utilities, and site selectors across 13 Midwestern states (Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming). The organization positions the 13-state region as an economy equivalent to the 6th largest in the world, encompassing 250 Fortune 1000 company headquarters, 20% of US population and business establishments, 21.7% of US workforce, 24% of US transportation equipment manufacturing employment, and 7 of the top 10 US agriculture-producing states.

The association delivers its value through a unified platform of products: the Annual Conference ("Power, Progress, and Possibility," scheduled for August 31 - September 2, 2026 in Grand Rapids, MI), the Best Practices Conference (2025 in Stillwater, MN), the annual Economic Development Awards across eight categories, the Michael P. Hickey Foundation Scholarship for emerging economic developers, paid and sponsor-access webinars (covering topics from site selection to AI in economic development, rural broadband, and clean energy), the Site Selectors Directory, Membership Directory, Job Listings, Resources Library, and IEDC Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) recertification credits. The technical backbone is Wild Apricot membership software, which powers the website, member portal, event registration, communications, and member directories. Golden Shovel Agency, a Platinum sponsor, provides digital communications and the Economic Gateway platform.

Mid-America EDC generates revenue through tiered annual sponsorships (Silver at $1,500/year, Gold at $2,500/year, Platinum at $5,000/year), per-event conference sponsorships (Break/Charging Station $1,500, Daily $3,000, Reception $7,500, Presenting $10,000), membership dues (amounts not publicly disclosed), and webinar sales. The Platinum sponsor roster is anchored by utilities (Dairyland Power, Great River Energy, Hoosier Energy, ITC, Xcel Energy, Minnesota Power), state economic development agencies (Wisconsin EDC, Wyoming Business Council), the Dayton Development Coalition, ICIC/Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, and digital marketing partner Golden Shovel Agency. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, has 11-50 employees, and is led by President Brandon Marshall (also Services Director at Wyoming Business Council).

Name

Mid-America EDC

Legal name

MidAmerica Economic Development Council

Website

https://midamericaedc.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mid-America EDC is a 13-state Midwestern nonprofit professional association serving economic developers, state agencies, utilities, and site selectors through conferences, awards, scholarships, webinars, and IEDC recertification, funded by tiered sponsorships, membership dues, and event sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Economic development association
• Membership organization services
• Regional economic conferences
• Site selector directory
• Professional development webinars

Headquarters

HQ city

Worthington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Sponsorships: Mid-America EDC generates revenue through annual sponsorship tiers — Silver ($1,500/year), Gold ($2,500/year), and Platinum ($5,000/year). Sponsors receive year-round visibility on the website, in marketing materials, at virtual and in-person events including the annual conference.
2. Conference Sponsorships: Conference-specific sponsorships at various levels including Break/Charging Station ($1,500), Daily ($3,000), Reception ($7,500), and Presenting ($10,000). These provide brand exposure during the marquee annual conference event.
3. Webinar Sales: Webinars are available for purchase, with availability extended to select sponsors. The organization hosts educational webinars as a member benefit and revenue stream.
4. Membership Dues: The organization operates as a membership association, generating revenue from member dues for economic development professionals and organizations across the 13-state region.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Mid-America EDC is a nonprofit professional association that delivers membership services, conferences, awards, and professional development programs to economic development professionals, state agencies, utilities, and site selectors across 13 Midwestern states. Its offerings include tiered annual sponsorships (Silver, Gold, Platinum), the Annual Conference and Best Practices Conference, the Economic Development Awards program, the Michael P. Hickey Foundation Scholarship, webinars, and member directories (Membership Directory, Site Selectors Directory, Job Listings, and Resources).

Product overview

Mid-America EDC is a multi-state professional association for economic development professionals, not a technology product company. The organization offers a unified membership platform providing access to conferences (Best Practices Conference, Annual Conference), award programs (Economic Development Awards), scholarship programs (Michael P. Hickey Foundation Scholarship), professional development (webinars, IEDC recertification), and member benefits (Site Selectors Directory, Job Listings, Resources Library). Revenue is generated through tiered annual sponsorships (Silver, Gold, Platinum) and conference sponsorships, rather than software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Best Practices Conference: Annual conference bringing together economic development professionals, site selectors, and industry leaders from across the 13-state region.
• Michael P. Hickey Foundation Scholarship Program
• Economic Development Awards

Products and services

• Annual Conference The marquee in-person annual conference bringing together economic developers, site selectors, utilities, and industry leaders from across the 13-state region. The 2026 Annual Conference, titled 'Power, Progress, and Possibility,' is scheduled August 31 - September 2, 2026 in Grand Rapids, MI. The conference features keynote speakers, panel discussions, networking, awards presentations, and sponsor recognition.
• Best Practices Conference Annual three-day in-person conference for economic development professionals from the 13 Midwest states, featuring keynote speakers, panel discussions on workforce innovation, clean energy, public-private partnerships, and placemaking, plus facility tours and networking. The 2025 conference was held in Stillwater, MN.
• Economic Development Awards Annual awards program recognizing outstanding economic development efforts, marketing campaigns, workforce initiatives, entrepreneurial efforts, and placemaking across seven organizational award categories (Project of the Year, Marketing Program, Overcoming Adversity, Workforce & Talent, Entrepreneurial, Placemaking) plus the People's Choice Award and the individual Economic Development Impact Award. Awards are presented at the Annual Conference.
• Michael P. Hickey Foundation Scholarship Program Scholarship program providing professional mentoring, complimentary conference attendance, committee involvement, and complimentary Mid-America EDC membership to new and emerging economic development professionals across the 13-state region.
• Annual Sponsorship Tiers Three-tiered annual sponsorship structure providing year-round visibility on the Mid-America EDC website, marketing materials, and events including the Annual Conference. Tiers: Silver ($1,500/year), Gold ($2,500/year, includes Silver benefits plus additional recognition and access to the private Consultant dinner), and Platinum ($5,000/year, maximum visibility across website, communications, all events, Annual Conference, and Consultant dinner invitation).
• Conference Sponsorship Packages Conference-specific sponsorship tiers providing brand exposure during the marquee Annual Conference. Levels include Break/Charging Station ($1,500), Daily ($3,000), Reception ($7,500), and Presenting ($10,000), with Presenting sponsor status at the top tier.
• Educational Webinars Professional development webinars hosted by influential economic development individuals, available for purchase and offered to select sponsors. Topics include site selection trends, rural workforce development, housing, AI in economic development, rural broadband, placemaking, and clean energy. Webinars also provide IEDC recertification credits for members.
• Site Selectors Directory Member-only database of site selectors with contact information, enabling members to connect independently with site selection consultants for site selection projects across the 13-state region.
• Resources Library Collection of economic development resources hosted on the Mid-America EDC website, including conference agendas, webinar recordings, state association links, industry publications, job listings, and macroeconomic and rural initiatives reports for the 13-state region.
• IEDC Recertification Program Program enabling economic developers to earn IEDC Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) recertification credits through Mid-America EDC webinars, annual conference participation, and board/committee positions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Seven of the top 10 agriculture-producing states in the US are in the Mid-America EDC region
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RDG, A Convergent Company (formerly Resource Development Group)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2026RDG, a Convergent Company, is a Platinum sponsor and the leader in economic development fundraising. The merger of Resource Development Group and Convergent (announced March 2026) created an organization with the largest dataset on economic development fundraising campaigns in the US. RDG spearheads economic development and chamber of commerce market fundraising for multi-year public-private partnerships. Clint Nessmith serves as CEO.
• Dairyland Power CooperativecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDairyland Power Cooperative is a Platinum sponsor of Mid-America EDC. Headquartered in La Crosse, WI, Dairyland provides wholesale electricity to 24 distribution cooperatives and 27 municipal utilities across Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The cooperative supports economic development efforts in its service territory and actively promotes regional growth through its sponsorship.
• Dayton Development CoalitioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDayton Development Coalition is a Platinum sponsor and the leading economic development organization in the 14-county Dayton Region in Ohio. The Coalition works with public and private regional partners to retain, expand, and attract jobs.
• Golden Shovel AgencycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGolden Shovel Agency is a Platinum sponsor and the firm that built and maintains Mid-America EDC's website. The agency specializes in economic development communications, offering Economic Gateway and PlaceVR platforms. The partnership includes website development and digital storytelling capabilities.
• Great River EnergycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGreat River Energy is a Platinum sponsor and the second largest electric power supplier in Minnesota, serving 26 member-owner distribution cooperatives. The cooperative supports member businesses with energy planning and management, and sponsors Mid-America EDC to promote regional economic development.
• ICIC Goldman Sachs (10,000 Small Businesses)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerICIC (Initiative for a Competitive Inner City), funded by the Goldman Sachs Foundation, is a Platinum sponsor. The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program partners with academic institutions to provide business education and support for small business owners, particularly in rural areas. ICIC serves as the national outreach and recruitment partner.
• ITC (A Fortis Company)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerITC is a Platinum sponsor and the largest independent electricity transmission company in the US, operating in eight states including Midwestern states in the MAEDC region. ITC works with developers, EDOs, and public officials to align transmission planning with project needs, supporting large-scale development and economic growth.
• Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerWEDC is a Platinum sponsor and the state's economic development agency. WEDC leads economic development efforts for Wisconsin by advancing opportunities for businesses, communities, and people. It works with more than 600 regional and local partners and develops/delivers solutions for a responsive economic development network.
• Wyoming Business Council (Wyoming Business)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerWyoming Business Council is a Platinum sponsor and the state of Wyoming's economic development agency. Located in Cheyenne, WY, the Business Council works with private businesses, state agencies, local governments, and economic development groups to grow and diversify Wyoming's economy, create jobs, and enhance quality of life.
• Hoosier EnergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHoosier Energy is a Gold sponsor and a generation and transmission electric cooperative headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana. It serves member cooperatives in southern and central Indiana, supporting economic development efforts through reliable energy supply.
• Marshalltown Area Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce is a Gold sponsor based in Marshalltown, Iowa. The Chamber leads business development efforts in the Marshalltown area, supporting economic growth and community prosperity.
• Sioux Falls Development FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSioux Falls Development Foundation is a Gold sponsor based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Foundation supports economic development efforts in the Sioux Falls region, one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the Midwest.
• Xcel EnergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerXcel Energy, referenced as a participant in the 2025 Best Practices Conference and the Minnesota SAF Hub coalition, is a utility company serving multiple Mid-America EDC states. Xcel Energy shared strategies for modernizing the grid and accelerating clean energy at the conference.
• Minnesota PowerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMinnesota Power, referenced as a conference participant at the 2025 Best Practices Conference, is a utility company serving northern Minnesota. The company shared strategies for modernizing the grid and accelerating clean energy initiatives.
• Google (Project Maize)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGoogle invested $832 million in a data center (Project Maize) in Michigan City, Indiana. Mid-America EDC 2nd Vice President Clarence L. Hulse, who is also Executive Director of the Economic Development Corporation of Michigan City, facilitated this investment, which created 30+ high-skill jobs and transformed a former Brownfield site.
• International Economic Development Council (IEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIEDC is the professional association for economic developers. Mid-America EDC offers IEDC Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) recertification credits through its webinars and annual conference. Mid-America EDC's Board of Directors includes members who hold the CEcD credential.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wyoming Business Council: Wyoming's state economic development agency and Platinum sponsor of Mid-America EDC; comparable as a state-level member-based economic development organization within the MAEDC 13-state footprint.
• Dayton Development Coalition: Regional economic development organization and Platinum sponsor; operates the same multi-county jurisdiction economic-development model that MAEDC operates at the multi-state level.
• National Association of State Economic Development Officials (NASEO): Association of state-level economic development officials across the US; comparable as a multi-state/multi-jurisdiction convener serving overlapping economic-development professional audiences.
• Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC): State-level economic development organization and Platinum sponsor of Mid-America EDC; operates the same member/sponsorship, business-attraction, and workforce-development model at the state level within MAEDC's region.
• International Economic Development Council (IEDC): The national/global professional association for economic developers; directly comparable in mission, offers CEcD credentials, and is referenced by Mid-America EDC as its primary credentialing partner.
• Site Selectors Guild: Industry association of professional site-selection consultants; MAEDC maintains a Site Selectors Directory for members and the two organizations operate in the same corporate-relocation value chain.

Regional players

• Greater Houston Partnership: Regional chamber/economic development organization for the Houston area; comparable as a regional convener of economic development but serves a non-Midwest region and competes for member-mindshare with national, not multi-state Midwest, identity.
• Bay Area Council Economic Institute: Regional economic research and policy organization for the San Francisco Bay Area; comparable in regional economic-development research and convening role but serves a different, non-Midwest region.

Broad incumbents

• CoreNet Global: Global association for corporate real estate and workplace professionals; broadly comparable professional-association model serving a related corporate-infrastructure audience.

Others

• Area Development Magazine: Industry publication and Shovel Awards operator that covers site-selection and economic development; comparable audience of site selectors and EDOs but operates as a media/awards company rather than a member association.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/_MAEDC
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Mid-America-Economic-Development-Council/267955309914058
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mid-america-edc/posts/?feedView=all

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mid-America EDC