Introduction to the EDPro Weblog and EDPro Premium

So what is EDPro Weblog?

About five years ago, I started this weblog as a way to capture some of the interesting ideas and initiatives that economic development professionals were launching across the country.  For some time, many of us have understood that traditional approaches to economic development were inadequate to build prosperity in a world of increasing global integration.  Initially, I shared EDPro Weblog with my colleagues in Kentucky, where I was doing a lot of work at the time.  Through word-of-mouth, the popularity of EDPro Weblog has spread.

Could not generate link to image with ID: The idea behind EDPro Weblog is pretty simple.  We now live in a world in which we have to think in new ways.  We must respond to pressures that none of us have felt before.  There really are no experts anymore, and the best way to learn is to explore what others are doing.  EDPro is designed to share the learning among a growing community of economic development -- and increasingly workforce development -- professionals.

Up until about six months ago, EDPro was a hobby.  I worked on the project at nights and on weekends.  Through the supportive correspondence that I have received from loyal readers, I've come to understand that EDPro could be something significantly more.  It could provide a powerful platform for learning new approaches to economic  and workforce development. 

In order to do that, I needed to devote significantly more time to it.  In addition, I needed a more powerful publishing platform that enables readers to interact and share ideas.  In addition, I need a workspace in which we can gather useful resources to share.  Finally, we would all benefit from listening and learning to each other by using the latest Internet technologies that enable the sharing of audio and video files.

Happily, I found a supportive technology partner in Near-Time, a start-up company based in Research Triangle. Headed by serial entrepreneurs Reid Conrad and  Lee Buck, Near-Time has built the type of user-friendly, powerful collaborative platform that EDPros need. Near-Time continues to provide exceptional support for our efforts.

Building the EDPro Community: EDPro Premium 

Enter EDPro Premium. We are building a community on top of a weblog. To do that, I have kept the basic, weekly EDPro Weblog as a free service. But now, I have added some additional features for EDPros who want to accelerate their education.

By subscribing to EDPro Premium:

• You save time and get the opportunity to get smart fast
• You get access to the most powerful on--line learning environment for EDPros
• You can read summaries of book and report particularly valuable to EDPros
• You can get insights into the latest trends of where the economic development is heading
• You learn how to use the newest Web 2.0 tools and how you can apply them
  
• You can search and use archived stories for your presentations or to show your Board how smart you are
• You can share your wisdom with others...and help build our learning community to figure out "what works"
• You get personal support from me (Ed Morrison) through "Advisor in a Box"
• You keep up with the latest developments in thinking, tools, and models for regional economic development
  
• You support a community of economic development professionals committed to advancing our profession
• You keep yourself competitive by continuing to develop your skills
• You'll start sounding really wise (if you're not there already)