Economic Development 101 Seminar with Gurbax Sahota

​Join us for an engaging crash course led by Gurbax Sahota, President & CEO of the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED), who will provide a foundational overview of the practices that drive job creation, support small business ecosystems, and promote sustainable community development.

​This session is valuable for students new to economic development, those preparing for the Sunstone Economic Development Challenge, and anyone interested in careers in public policy, planning, consulting, or government leadership.

​Attendees will learn:

• ​The fundamentals of economic development and how cities grow

• ​Key tools and strategies—grants, incentives, financing districts, and P3s

• ​How local governments support businesses, jobs, and community investment

• ​The role of equity, small business support, and workforce development

• ​Real-world examples from California cities