Welcome to Heartland!

Heartland info card

April 29 - May 2, 2025

Heartland 2025 will be held at the Adams Pointe Conference Center in Blue Springs, MO

To expand the time allowed for tours and panelist Q&A during the in-person course, the Strategic Planning section is delivered online prior to the in-person course. Two opportunities to attend this section are scheduled for April 15th or April 17th, from 8:00 AM to 10:15 AM. Once the class fills, Heartland staff will reach out with more information about the Strategic Planning section opportunities.

Take it from our 2024 grads

  • "Really Great Course! I enjoyed the flexibility of the course content."
  • "WOW! Loved every session!”
  • “An incredible event that was very well coordinated and designed. Professionals who were brand new, and veterans, could all take away something from the course.”
  • “It was a fantastic course. I really enjoyed the week and made a lot of new connections and friends. I heard some great ideas that I hope to incorporate into my own community.” 

Heartland is...

cedc

Presented by Heartland Economic Development Course, Inc., with the Institute for Decision Making at the University of Northern Iowa, in partnership with the Kansas Economic Development Alliance, Professional Developers of Iowa, Missouri Economic Development Council, Nebraska Economic Developers Association, Select Oklahoma and South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development.

It is accredited by the International Economic Development Council, which accredits a number of Basic Economic Development Courses (BEDC) that provide the foundation for entry-level economic development practitioners, allied professionals, community leaders and volunteers. The HEDC and other basic courses serve as the equivalent to IEDC’s Introduction to Economic Development Course for those interested in the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) Certification through IEDC.

Contact

Heartland Economic Development Course

University of Northern Iowa
Institute for Decision Making
Business and Community Services Bldg.
8120 Jennings Drive, Suite 113
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0186

Office:  319-273-6944
             800-782-9520
Email: heartland-edc@uni.edu