Economic Development Week 2026
National Economic Development Week was created by the International Economic Development Council in 2016 to increase awareness of local programs and services that create jobs, advance career development opportunities, and increase quality of life among our communities. Come celebrate with us!
How We Are Celebrating
Virtual - Lunch & Learn: Meet Your Local Economic Development Leaders
During Economic Development Week, we're bringing together economic development leaders from across the region for an open, practical conversation about the resources available to help your business grow right here in Larimer County.
What you'll walk away with:
- A clear picture of local and regional resources, including talent & workforce solutions, funding & incentives, regional labor & wage data, critical business connections, help navigating municipal processes, and more
- Direct introductions to the economic development partners in your backyard
- Answers to your specific questions (yes, there's a live Q&A)
Whether you're hiring, expanding, navigating a challenge, or just want to know what's out there, this conversation is for you.
- Date: May 7, 2026
- Time: 12:30 – 1:30 PM
- Location: Virtual via Zoom (link sent upon registration)
- Cost: Free
Panelists include partners from Fort Collins, Loveland, Wellington, and more, and the session is moderated by Adam Crowe.
Register for the Virtual Economic Development Panel
Meet the Panelists
| Colleen DePasquale, President, Estes Economic Development & Workforce Council and Estes Chamber of CommerceColleen has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, working with Marriott and Interstate hotels from Manhattan to Denver, as well as 2 years in Moscow, Russia, opening Marriott brand hotels. |
| SeonAh Kendall, Economic Health Director, City of Fort CollinsSeonAh Kendall, CPA serves as SeonAh serves on the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Board of Directors as the Secretary/Treasurer. SeonAh also serves as Vice Chair of Innosphere Ventures Board of Directors. |
| Janine Ledingham, Associate Director of Economic Development, Larimer County Economic & Workforce DevelopmentJanine brings 15 years of experience driving regional economic growth, fostering public-private partnerships and serving and supporting businesses across Colorado. She has held leadership and business consulting and training roles with Small Business Development Centers statewide, served as a Director with the Longmont Economic Development Partnership, and worked as Regional Director for Colorado’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership where she championed the needs and served primary manufacturers. She also brings corporate insight from her work in the corporate strategy group of a Fortune 500 telecommunications company. |
| Liz Magargel, Business Development Manager, Town of WellingtonLiz recently joined the Town of Wellington as the Business Development Manager, where she is focused on business retention and expansion, connecting businesses to resources and helping them navigate local processes, and strengthening the community’s role in the broader Northern Colorado economic ecosystem. Liz brings more than 15 years of experience in strategic planning, program management, and organizational improvement across complex mission-driven organizations, including the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the IRS. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with the public and a wide range of stakeholders to translate policy into action and deliver meaningful results. Liz moved to NoCo about two years ago and loves exploring her new home with her husband, kids, and dog. |
| Marcie Willard, Economic Development Director, City of LovelandMarcie has been the Director of the Economic Development Department at the City of Loveland since 2024. Marcie has over 20 years of experience working in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, including five years at the City of Loveland from 2011-2016, when she served as the Business Retention and Expansion Manager. She has a background in not only Economic Development, but also Marketing, Advocacy, Grants Management, Business Development, Project Management, and has owned and operated a small business. In addition, she served as a Strategic Planning consultant with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade’s Creative District Program. She currently serves as a Board Member for the NoCo Manufacturing Sector Partnership and as a member of the Affordable Housing Task Force, among other affiliations. The Economic Development Department includes Visit Loveland, the Destination Events and Marketing efforts for the city. Willard also brings experience in tourism and retail to the position. |
Meet the Moderator
| Adam Crowe, Economic Development Manager, Larimer County Economic & Workforce DevelopmentAdam Crowe is the Economic Development Manager for Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development (LCEWD). LCEWD connects people to meaningful work and businesses to talent and resources, improving our community’s economic well-being. Adam grew up in Estes Park and Loveland and settled in Fort Collins, where he received a BA in History and a Master’s Degree in Education from Colorado State University. In his free time, Adam enjoys hiking the mountains and trying to keep up with his busy family. Passionate about building a community that fosters business growth and meaningful employment for its residents, Adam is grateful to live in an area where so many other people share the same passions. |
The Board of County Commissioners proclaimed May 4 - 9, 2026, as Economic Development Week
The Proclamation
WHEREAS, economic development professionals across Larimer County and Northern Colorado are committed to creating, retaining, and expanding opportunities that support long-term, inclusive economic growth, with a focus on quality jobs, upward mobility, resilient economies and economic opportunity for residents; and
WHEREAS, for over a century, the economic development profession—through organizations like IEDC—has helped communities across the United States cultivate thriving economies, strengthen resilience, support innovation, and enhance quality of life; and
WHEREAS, for 50 years, the Economic Development Council of Colorado has played a critical role in strengthening Colorado’s economy through leadership, collaboration, and professional development across the state; and
WHEREAS, Economic Development Week also coincides with National Small Business Week, recognizing the essential contributions of small businesses and entrepreneurs in creating jobs, fostering innovation, and enhancing the unique character and sense of place across Larimer County’s communities; and
WHEREAS, economic development in Northern Colorado is driven by strong regional collaboration, including partnerships across municipalities, the NoCO Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI), Chambers of Commerce, educational institutions such as Colorado State University and Front Range Community College, workforce partners, and the private sector; and
WHEREAS, we as economic development professionals in Larimer County serve as connectors and catalysts—bringing together business, workforce, education, and government to support job creation, business growth, infrastructure investment, and a strong talent pipeline through initiatives and
WHEREAS, Larimer County’s economic development efforts contribute to a broader, interconnected Northern Colorado economy, positioning the region for continued growth, resilience, and long-term competitiveness within Colorado.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Larimer County hereby recognizes Economic Development Week and celebrates both 100 years of impact of the economic development profession and 50 years of leadership by the Economic Development Council of Colorado—honoring the partnerships, people, and progress that continue to shape a strong and vibrant Larimer County economy, and inspiring continued collaboration and opportunity in the years ahead.
