Department of Economic and Community Development Creates Training Center

A new training center will offer Tennessee’s local governments a chance to learn the ins and outs of building stronger economies.

Today at the state’s 3rd annual Economic and Community Development Conference, ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber announced the creation of the Tennessee Leadership Center. Kisber says the center will be a clearinghouse for information local officials need to create and keep jobs.

“It will help communities understand trends and challenges in economic development. It will assist communities develop the tools they need to fulfill their vision and take advantage of opportunities.”

Kisber says the center’s workshops and courses will augment the state’s Three-Star program, which recognizes communities for creating strategic development plans.

David Kolzow will direct the center. He says he hopes to help local leaders create strong and clear plans for their communities.

“You know, we’ve looked at the communities that have been really successful and have been able to move forward in their programs and we see that it’s not because they have a lot of money or a lot of resources, it’s because they have a committed leadership that really has a sense of what the community’s potential is and has a direction in terms of where they’d like to see the community go.”

The Tennessee Leadership Center will be a non-profit agency, operated jointly by the state and Tennessee Tomorrow, an organization focused on promoting sustainable development.