By Cam Huffman
April 2026
Economic development doesn’t stop at a county line—and neither should the organizations leading it. In today’s interconnected economy, local and county economic development groups are most effective when they work hand-in-hand with regional partners.
“Businesses don’t make decisions based on jurisdictional boundaries. They evaluate regions—looking at workforce availability, infrastructure, supply chains, and market access,” says Cam Huffman, Director of External Affairs for PAZ. He added, “That reality makes collaboration between local and regional organizations not just beneficial, but essential.
As Cam Huffman puts it, “If we’re competing as individual communities instead of presenting a unified regional story, we’re already at a disadvantage.”
Local organizations bring critical, ground-level insight. They understand their communities, maintain relationships with local employers, and manage the details that make projects succeed. Regional organizations, on the other hand, provide the broader vision—coordinating strategy, marketing the region externally, and aligning priorities across multiple jurisdictions.
When these perspectives come together, the result is a more accurate and compelling representation of the economic landscape.
“Companies don’t see our borders the way we do,” Huffman notes. “They see opportunity across a region. Our job is to make that opportunity clear, connected, and easy to access.”
Stronger Business Attraction and Retention
Regional collaboration strengthens both recruitment and retention efforts. Regional organizations often lead large-scale marketing and business attraction campaigns, while local groups provide the detailed support—site readiness, permitting, and local incentives—that ultimately secures investment.
Without coordination, communities risk competing against one another rather than leveraging their collective strengths.
“A fragmented approach confuses prospects,” says Huffman. “A coordinated approach builds confidence.”
Building a Regional Workforce
Workforce development is another area where alignment is critical. Talent pools extend across counties, and employers draw workers from an entire region—not just a single community.
By working together, regional and local organizations can align training programs, share labor market data, and better connect employers with talent. Local entities then adapt these strategies to fit their specific schools, institutions, and workforce needs.
“Workforce is regional by nature,” Huffman explains. “If we’re not planning that way, we’re missing the mark.”
Competing for Resources and Investment
Major infrastructure and funding opportunities—whether for transportation, broadband, or utilities—often require regional coordination. A unified voice supported by local partners is far more competitive when seeking state or federal investment.
Disjointed efforts, on the other hand, can weaken proposals and reduce the likelihood of success.
“When we align locally and speak regionally, our impact multiplies,” Huffman says. “That’s when we start to compete at a higher level.”
Reducing Duplication, Increasing Impact
Collaboration also improves efficiency. Clear communication between local and regional organizations helps define roles—regional groups focusing on strategy and external positioning, while local groups focus on execution and relationships.
This reduces duplication of effort and ensures resources are used where they matter most.
The Bottom Line
Local organizations bring critical, ground-level insight. They understand their communities, maintain relationships with local employers, and manage the details that make projects succeed. Regional organizations, on the other hand, provide the broader vision—coordinating strategy, marketing the region externally, and aligning priorities across multiple jurisdictions. Already in 2026 PAZ has marketed the region and travelled to Japan, Turkey, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Texas. That is difficult for a local organization to do. As Huffman puts it, “The regions that win are the ones that work together.”