McFadden receives national designation of Certified Economic Developer

Stephen McFadden, Adams County Economic Development Director, earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a national recognition that denotes a mastery of skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to personal and professional growth.

McFadden has served as the county’s economic development director since June 2014. He was the publisher of the Ritzville Adams County Journal from 2004 to 2014. During that time he led an effort to form the Adams County Development Council and served as its charter chairman.

For seven years, he has been a Big Bend Community College Trustee. He is also member of the North Central Workforce Development Council Board of Directors.

The CEcD designation recognizes qualified and dedicated practitioners in the economic development field and sets the standard of excellence within the profession. Candidates must pass a rigorous and comprehensive examination, which has three parts and spans two days.

The exam tests a practitioner’s knowledge, proficiency and judgment in the following key areas of economic development: business retention and expansion, finance and credit analysis, marketing and attraction, strategic planning, entrepreneurial and small business development, managing economic development organizations, neighborhood development strategies, real estate development and reuse, technology-led economic development, and workforce development strategies