August 30, 2024
Hannibal, Missouri – Maria Kuhns earned the nationally recognized designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), denoting a mastery of skills in economic development and a dedication to personal and professional growth. This milestone marks a significant achievement and underscores Maria’s commitment to excellence in the field of economic development.
Hal Benedict, President of Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council said “The entire board of HREDC is excited for Maria receiving her CEcD designation. This is an extremely difficult program that many Economic Developers do not pass on their first attempt. It proves the significant amount of time and effort that Maria put into the program. She has balanced her everyday work schedule and found time to prepare for the exam. The IEDC is a nationally recognized organization and Maria has used her time developing relationships that we feel will lead to contacts with national companies looking for relocation or expansion in the future. We are very proud of Maria.”
The CEcD designation is a prestigious acknowledgement of skilled and committed professionals in the field of economic development, establishing a benchmark of excellence within the industry. To attain this designation, candidates must successfully complete a rigorous and comprehensive examination, consisting of three parts and spanning two days. This examination assesses a practitioner’s knowledge, proficiency, judgement, and critical thinking abilities among the following areas of economic development:
- Business retention and expansion
- Finance & credit analysis
- Marketing and attraction
- Strategic planning
- Entrepreneurial & small business development
- Managing economic development organizations
- Neighborhood development strategies
- Real estate development & reuse
- Technology-led economic development
- Workforce development strategies
- Foreign direct investment & exporting
Certified Economic Developers operate as highly skilled economic development professionals and collaborate with public officials, business leaders, and community members to establish astute leadership and serve as a driving force in the economic development landscape. Their commitment to excellence translates into a profound impact on well-being, elevating the quality of life, and unlocking a myriad of opportunities for individuals, businesses, and communities alike. Maria Kuhns is one of over 1,250 active CEcDs throughout the world.
“I’m truly honored to be apart of a prestigious group and am excited to use the in-depth knowledge and skills to better serve Marion and Ralls Counties,” Maria commented. “I’m especially grateful to the HREDC Board of Directors for investing in my professional development to make this possible.”
About Maria Kuhns
Maria Kuhns is the Executive Director of Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council and the Hannibal Regional Port Authority. As the Executive Director of HREDC, Maria offers leadership and guidance to a regional economic growth strategy, creating partnerships and synergies across the region to strengthen infrastructure, workforce, and business retention and expansion as well as promote the region to prospective businesses. Formerly, Maria was the Director of the Small Business Development Center at HREDC, where she was awarded the Rookie of the Year in 2021 and led the creation of the Ignite entrepreneurial ecosystem program. She holds an M.S. in Agricultural and Applied Economics and a B.S. in Agribusiness Management from the University of Missouri. Maria grew up on a family farm in Effingham County, Illinois.
About Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council
Organized in 1984 to promote growth and investment in Hannibal, Marion County and Ralls County, HREDC is a nonprofit, public/private partnership that works to promote new investment in the area in an effort to increase the quality of life of our citizens.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in the full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at iedconline.org.
