October 20, 2026
RALEIGH, N.C., October 20, 2026 – The North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA), through its Foundation, awarded 11 professional development scholarships totaling over $25,000 to economic development professionals across North Carolina. The recipients were recognized during NCEDA's 2026 Fall Conference in Asheville on October 20. The scholarships support continued education, professional certification, and leadership training, helping economic developers gain the knowledge and skills needed to better serve their communities.
North Carolina Economic Development Academy Scholarship
Six recipients were awarded scholarships to attend one course in the North Carolina Certified Economic Developer program at East Carolina University. Each scholarship covers tuition and reimburses travel, lodging, meals, and other related expenses.
Recipients include:
Nickolai Beer, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
Marley Cloer, Mitchell County Economic Development Commission
Lauren Ellis, North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region
Josh Fasnacht, Chatham County Economic Development
Catherine Grimm, Town of Tarboro
Victor Ihuka, East Carolina University
Jack Ervin Scholarship
Two recipients were awarded the Jack Ervin Scholarship, which provides up to $1,000 toward tuition, along with reimbursement for travel, lodging, meals, and related expenses. The scholarship supports attendance at the Economic Development Institute (EDI) at the University of Oklahoma or one course offered by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
Recipients include:
Evan Day, Iredell County Economic Development
Lisa Johnson, Cleveland County Economic Development
Governor James E. Holshouser Professional Development Scholarship
Julie Graham, North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region, received the Governor James E. Holshouser Professional Development Scholarship. The scholarship covers registration fees for up to three years, along with reimbursement for tuition, travel, lodging, meals, and related expenses, to attend the Economic Development Institute (EDI) at the University of Oklahoma or three annual courses offered by IEDC.
IEDC Certification Scholarship
Trey Cash, North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region, received the IEDC Certification Scholarship, which covers examination registration fees associated with earning the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation.
NCEDA Presidential Leadership Scholarship
Jenn Bosser, Iredell County Economic Development, received the NCEDA Presidential Leadership Scholarship. Designed for experienced economic development executives, the scholarship covers tuition, travel, lodging, meals, and related expenses to attend the Advanced Economic Development Leadership training course.
NCEDA, through its foundation, is proud to support the continued professional growth of North Carolina’s economic developers,” said Crystal Morphis, chair of the NCEDA Foundation. “Investing in professional development strengthens not only individual careers but also economic development organizations, the communities our members serve, and the profession in general.
NCEDA scholarships remove financial barriers by covering tuition, travel, lodging, meals, and other expenses, making these valuable training opportunities accessible to more professionals. We are committed to expanding opportunities for economic developers at every stage of their careers to gain new skills, build relationships, and earn credentials that advance our profession,” said Morphis.
