The Advanced Institute for Economic Development is an advanced, in-person professional development program offered by the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) in partnership with the Craig School of Business at Fresno State University. It serves as the second educational requirement within the Accredited California Economic Developer (ACE) certification pathway and is designed to deepen understanding of complex economic development topics while emphasizing best practices tailored to California’s unique economic environment.
The Institute consists of five one-day courses, each taught by experienced professionals, covering subjects such as strategic planning, business retention and expansion, real estate development and reuse, navigating California’s regulatory environment, and economic development finance.
To enroll in the Advanced Institute, participants must complete the Introduction to Economic Development Certificate Program (Keys Course) as a prerequisite or be eligible for the waiver.
