The MEDA Professional Development Committee oversees a number of opportunities for MEDA members to assist them in pursuit of their educational goals. The committee focuses on courses that enable our members to become certified economic developers (CEcD) as well as pertinent courses that improve our professional skills in the field.

2011/2012 Professional Development Committee

• Heather Gramm, CEcD, Committee Chair
• Lynne Benzion, CEcD, Committee Co-Chair

Scholarships

MEDA members are encouraged to take advantage of the Lofton Scholarship Fund for their professional development needs. MEDA's board through the Lofton Scholarship Committee will award scholarships to members in good standing for approved courses. MEDA members may use the IEDC members rate for all courses held in MD.

2012 Maryland course schedule:

• May 10-11, 2012: Managing EDO's
  
• August 22-24, 2012: ED Credit Analysis
• July 23-27, 2012: Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course (details coming soon)
• October 4-5, 2012: Workforce Development

Members are encouraged to apply for scholarships and register for course attendance in a timely matter. Late course registration fees may be omitted from the final scholarship award at the discretion of the committee. Please visit The Lofton Scholarship page for details.

Certification

Mentorship

MEDA's Professional Development Committee is now offering mentorship to those who are studying for certification. Planning to sit for the certification exam is made easier by the partnership offered by our team. Please feel free to reach out to any of them directly or contact us at info@medamd.com and we will connect you.

Study Materials

MEDA's Professional Development Committee has arranged a "library" of IEDC manuals for use by any MEDA member who is preparing for the CEcD exam. To borrow the manuals, contact the MEDA office at 410-575-6027.

Re-Certification

Re-Certification courses are a significant feature of MEDA's overall professional development plan. To that end, we have partnered with the Maryland Department of Planning and the University of Maryland to offer the Land Use Planning for Economic Developers Course. Re-certification credits are available to those who hold the CEcD designation. All MEDA members should consider taking this course for their overall skills training.

Always working to improve your member benefits, the MEDA Executive Committee will offer Professional Development courses throughout the year.

For detailed course descriptions and accommodation information, click on the link for each course or visit http://www.iedconline.org.