Launching a partner nonprofit for economic development

For several years, the JCEDC conducted a national review of economic development best practices and considered how it might take the organization and its impact to the next level. Why? Because many communities—both larger and smaller than the Jefferson County area—have launched ambitious multi-year programs to gain a competitive advantage and ensure they are on the winning side of the continuing economic rebound and beyond.

JCEDC leadership concluded that the right approach was for the public sector to partner with and engage the private sector in developing, funding and implementing a dynamic new strategic initiative for economic development. These discussions resulted in the formation of the Glacial Heritage Development Partnership.

The Glacial Heritage Development Partnership, doing business as Thrive Economic Development (ThriveED), is a non-profit 501(c)3 public-private organization created to promote the economic competitiveness of the Jefferson and Dodge county region by providing professional economic development services for the purpose of retaining, expanding and attracting capital investments and driver industry jobs to our communities. It was formed in mid-2016 and engages the private sector in economic development activities. The plan is for an expanded JCEDC staff to manage implementation of GHDP’s 5-year Strategic Plan and for the organization to be funded by private and public sector financial supporters.