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Will Ruzic, executive director of Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance, recently completed the Advanced Economic Development Leadership (AEDL) program held in Kansas City, Mo.

AEDL is a two-week executive education course developed by four partner universities (The University of Alabama, Clemson University, Texas Christian University and the University of Southern Mississippi). At graduation ceremonies in Kansas City, graduates were awarded the Economic Development Master Practitioner diploma.

The advanced program is an experiential course that explores economic development subjects that impact communities and states across the U.S. Instructors include site consultants, business leaders, nationally known subject experts and university professors. The faculty discusses negotiation, communication, workforce and education, project management, community development, influencing change, international trade and foreign direct investment and other key subjects that impact quality job creation.

“Economic development is forever changing, and the challenges facing all of us in America’s rural communities aren’t getting any easier,” Ruzic said. “Coastal Gateway’s mission of service to our local and regional communities demands that we stay up to date on the trends and demands of our industry. I was fortunate to be a part of the AEDL program and look forward to bringing their best practices home to our region.”

Coastal Gateway EDA is a partnership of Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Monroe and Escambia counties.