Skip to main content

OhioSE Project Manager Taylor Stepp receives designation of Certified Economic Developer from IEDC

Lead Summary
By
Ohio Southeast Economic Development-
Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) Friday announced Taylor Stepp, Project Manager, earned the prestigious designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). He joins OhioSE President Mike Jacoby in that realm, who also earned the CEcD designation.

The CEcD designation is an international recognition regulated by the International Economic Development Council that denotes a mastery of skills in economic development, professional attainment, and one that recognizes qualified and dedicated practitioners in the economic development field and sets the standard of excellence within the profession.

“Taylor’s commitment to his profession is evidenced by his record of success in managing investment and job creation projects in the OhioSE sub-region he covers,” said Katy Farber, OhioSE Vice President. “It is no surprise to me that he has achieved this impressive designation. His hard work and determination are making positive changes in our region. He is a valued member of our OhioSE team.”

Stepp is Project Manager for OhioSE's southern counties — Adams, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton. Stepp’s work with OhioSE has brought major investment into Southeast Ohio through relocations and expansions, which have yielded nearly 1,000 new jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of capital investment.

Prior to joining the team, Stepp was a JobsOhio Project Coordinator responsible for northwestern and northeastern Ohio, and he assisted communities in development while working for former Ohio House Finance Chairman Ryan Smith.

“I am honored to join development professionals internationally with this credentialing,” Stepp said. “Throughout the certification process, I have deepened my knowledge and have learned best practices and new tools that I look forward to putting into practice in OhioSE. Southeastern Ohio is on an upward trajectory, and I am optimistic that we can continue improving the economic well-being of our region.  

To receive the designation of CEcD, candidates must have at least four years of consecutive, paid and full-time economic development related work experience within the past six years and pass a rigorous and comprehensive exam consisting of three parts over the span of two days. The exam tests a practitioner’s knowledge, proficiency and judgment in several key areas of economic development.

As highly competent economic development professionals, CEcDs work with public officials, business leaders and community members to build upon and maximize the economic development sector. Excellence in the economic development profession improves the well-being, quality of life and opportunities for individuals, businesses and communities. According to IEDC, there are approximately 1,100 active CEcDs in the United States, and 27 active CEcDs in the state of Ohio.

Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) is the JobsOhio Network Partner for southern, eastern and southeastern Ohio, providing economic development work and resources in 25 rural counties; they are the newest and geographically the largest of the six regions across the state. OhioSE partners closely with regional development districts, local economic development offices, state agencies, and other entities to expand, retain and attract businesses in the counties they serve. Learn more at OhioSE.com.

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a nonprofit membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,000 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 are engaged in the full range of economic development experience.

JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio though Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow JobsOhio on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.



[[In-content Ad]]

Add new comment

This is not for publication.
This is not for publication.

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
Article comments are not posted immediately to the Web site. Each submission must be approved by the Web site editor, who may edit content for appropriateness. There may be a delay of 24-48 hours for any submission while the web site editor reviews and approves it. Note: All information on this form is required. Your telephone number and email address is for our use only, and will not be attached to your comment.
CAPTCHA This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.