International Resources

Making Local Economic Development Strategies—A Trainer’s Manual (World Bank) 

Developed as a resource to assist communities to develop local economic development strategies, this Local Economic Development Primer has been prepared for towns, cities, and communities that are new to LED and that wish to help their local economies grow. 

The trainer’s manual seeks to provide municipalities, practitioners, businesses, and communities with an  

understanding of what local economic development is, why it is practiced, and how it is practiced. 

The Role of Local Elected Officials in Economic Development | 10 Things You Should Know (National League of Cities)  

This report is the result of a partnership between the National League of Cities Center for Research and Innovation and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). 

Understanding your local economy: a resource guide for cities (Cities Alliance)  

This guide addresses the challenges of analysing local economic conditions and a city’s comparative and competitive advantages. Funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the guide presents practical approaches to conducting citywide and region-wide economic and competitive assessments. It includes advice on how to choose local economic development indicators and tools that can assess a local economy’s competitiveness.