RALEIGH, N.C, October 22, 2024 – Six economic development professionals across North Carolina were awarded professional development scholarships from the North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA) Foundation. The recipients were announced at the NCEDA’s fall conference in Greensboro on October 22. 

Three of the scholarships awarded are for the North Carolina Economic Development Academy which pays $395 for tuition plus reimbursement for all travel, lodging, meal, and ancillary expenses to attend one course offering of the North Carolina Certified Economic Developer program at ECU. The estimated value per scholarship is $1,100 (tuition + additional expenses).

Recipients include:

· Rose Ponton, Economic Development Specialist for Warren County Community & Economic Development

· Kimberly Propst, Economic Development Specialist for Catawba County Economic Development Corporation

· Jesse Trivette, Existing Business Retention and Expansion Coordinator for Caldwell County Economic Development 

Montana Brown, Director of Marketing and Economic Development with the City of Reidsville, was awarded the Jack Ervin Scholarship which pays up to $1,000 toward tuition, plus reimbursement for travel, lodging, meals, and ancillary expenses, either at the Economic Development Institute (EDI) at Oklahoma University or one course offered by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The estimated value is $2,000 (tuition + additional expenses). 

Trey Cash, Economic Development Director for Lenoir and Greene County Economic Development, was awarded the Governor James E. Holshouser Professional Development Scholarship which pays up to $1,900 per session for three sessions, plus reimbursement for all travel, lodging, meal, and ancillary expenses, either at the Economic Development Institute (EDI) at Oklahoma University or three annual courses offered by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The estimated value is $11,000 (tuition + additional expenses for three sessions). 

Joanna Helms, Economic Development Director for the Town of Apex was awarded the NCEDA Presidential Leadership Scholarship, in honor of NCEDA Past Presidents, which pays up to $1,795 towards tuition, plus reimbursement for all travel, lodging, meal, and ancillary expenses, for seasoned executives to experience training at the Advanced Economic Development Leadership training course. The estimated value is $2,800 (tuition + additional expenses). 

"The NCEDA Foundation is proud to continue expanding scholarships for professionals in our field, providing valuable opportunities for members to advance their skills and expertise,” said Randall Johnson, president and chair of the NCEDA Foundation, which supports the annual scholarships. 

“Our scholarships cover tuition for essential training programs, along with travel, lodging, meals, and other expenses, ensuring greater accessibility and equity for all economic developers. As the Foundation grows, we are excited to offer more scholarships and encourage members to apply as they seek the credentials and training needed throughout their careers for lasting success in economic development,” said Johnson. 

Click here for photos of recipients. 

About NCEDA Foundation

The NCEDA Foundation is a tax-exempt 501c3 organization created in 2020 to advance the economic development profession, enhance the knowledge and skills of economic developers, and strengthen the broad, statewide economic development community in North Carolina through funding professional development activities, research, and education programs, especially to underserved, distressed, and rural counties and economic developers across North Carolina. For additional information, visit www.nceda.org/nceda-foundation. 

About NCEDA

Founded in 1966, NCEDA works toward a mission of being “the voice for North Carolina’s economic development community – providing professional development, networking opportunities and advocacy to secure the state’s economic future.” The organization is composed of over 900 professional economic developers at the state, regional and local levels, as well as educators, engineers, transportation experts, utility industry leaders, attorneys and other professionals. Based in Raleigh, NCEDA provides training, legislative representation, mentoring, news and information, and other services. For additional information, visit www.nceda.org.