Noblesville Director of Economic Development Judi Johnson recently completed the Advanced Economic Development Leadership (AEDL) Program, an executive education course developed by four partner universities: The University of Alabama, Clemson University, Texas Christian University and the University of Southern Mississippi.
At a ceremony in Kansas City, Mo., Johnson was awarded the Economic Development Master Practitioner Certification. She is one of only 80 people worldwide to have achieved this certification.
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. This world-class faculty discusses negotiation, communication, workforce/education, project management, and community development, influencing change, international trade/foreign direct investment and other key subjects that impact quality job creation.
“I am honored to have been chosen to participate in the AEDL Program. It is a privilege to work for a community that continually strives to create a robust and resilient economy for its businesses, citizens and visitors,” Johnson said.
Since becoming Noblesville’s economic development director in 2012, the city has successfully worked attraction, retention and expansion projects resulting in more than $340 million in new capital investment and over 2.7 million in new building square footage. A sampling of those projects include: Borg Warner, Embassy Suites, Blue Sky Technology, SMC Corporation, Helmer Scientific, Verdure Sciences, Zevacor Molecular and Cabela’s.
Johnson is a graduate of Purdue University and the Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute. She also has completed the Ball State University Certified Public Manager Program, the Ball State Building Better Communities Program, and is a graduate of the Hamilton County Leadership Academy.