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Economic developers are increasingly expected to turn complex, location-specific data into accurate, high-impact content – quickly and consistently. Whether it’s for investment pitches, website updates, or promotional materials, data-informed communication is now central to the role.
This report, based on a 2025 survey of 200+ economic development professionals across the U.S. and Canada, explores how data is used in practice – what types are most in demand, how content is delivered, and the goals it supports.
It also uncovers key challenges: difficulty accessing reliable, up-to-date data; limited time and staff; and tools that aren’t built for creating professional-grade content. These barriers affect not just efficiency, but also confidence in the accuracy and quality of what’s produced.
The message is clear: economic developers don’t just need more data – they need smarter, faster ways to transform it into content that informs, persuades, and delivers results.
In this report, “content” means the charts, maps, written explanations, and finished materials - like reports, presentations, web pages, and marketing materials - that economic developers create to share data clearly and effectively.
Economic developers are deeply engaged in data – not just reading it, but shaping it into content that communicates value. According to our survey, more than half of respondents work with data at least weekly, and many do so daily. This frequency reflects the central role data now plays in virtually every aspect of the job, from promotion to planning.
of economic developers create or share data-informed content weekly or daily – making content creation a routine part of the job.
Nearly every economic developer agrees: creating and communicating content with data is mission-critical. Over a third say it’s absolutely essential to their success and nearly all others say it’s very or moderately important. Data isn’t just helpful, it’s now expected in every pitch, plan, and public update.
of economic developers say data-informed content is important to their success – with over one-third calling it absolutely essential.
Ask economic developers how much of their work involves data, and the answer is clear: a lot. Nearly half say data plays a role in at least 40% of their tasks – often more. Whether they’re researching, creating, or sharing content, data isn’t occasional. It’s operational.
economic developers say data factors into more than 40% of their job.
Data-informed content is no longer a side task for economic developers – it’s central to the role. Most use data weekly or more, and nearly all say it’s essential to their success and embedded in a large share of their work.
Demographic, workforce, and economic data anchor the content economic developers create. They explain who lives in a place, who works there, and how the economy is performing – while other data types, from real estate to quality of life, add depth and dimension to the story.
of economic developers regularly use demographic data—making it the most widely used foundation for content.
Economic developers aren’t just researching data – they’re publishing it everywhere. From in-person presentations and website updates to reports, social posts, and pitch decks, the expectation is clear: turn local data into credible, well-designed content that informs and persuades.
of economic developers share data through presentations – making public communication a primary outlet for their insights.
From marketing and business attraction to strategic planning and council updates, data-informed content is powering the most visible, high-impact tasks in economic development. It’s not background support – it’s central to how professionals promote their communities, attract investment, and show progress.
of economic developers use data to create content for marketing, promotion, and business attraction.
Economic developers increasingly rely on data to create content that powers their most important work – from marketing and promotion to live presentations and website updates. Demographic, workforce, and economic indicators form the foundation, and that content is shared across channels to inform, attract, and persuade.
Economic developers face real barriers when turning data into content: limited time, difficulty accessing the right information, and tools that aren’t built for the job. Many are left stitching together charts, summaries, and visuals - without the support needed to do it quickly or confidently.
of economic developers say finding the right data is a top challenge when creating content.
While many economic developers feel capable, few feel expert. Just over a third say they’re confident turning data into content – and even fewer say they’re very confident. The gap between responsibility and readiness is real, and it shows up in the day-to-day pressure.
of economic developers consider themselves experts at turning data into high-quality content.
Economic developers are expected to turn data into clear, persuasive content—but many lack the time, tools, or confidence to do it well. Most face real friction finding the right data, and only a small handful feel truly expert in creating high-quality content.
Economic developers want to spend less time gathering, formatting, and interpreting data - and more time using it to drive outcomes. They’re looking for solutions that remove friction at every step: tools that are easier to use, affordable to access, and built to help transform raw data into clear messages, compelling visuals, and content that delivers.
of economic developers want easier access to reliable, up-to-date data
When you put it all together, the economic development profession looks like it’s moving through a shared maturity curve – a phased journey from raw data collection to creating and sharing high-quality content:
Not all economic developers are at the same stage along this curve. But nearly everyone is moving forward - and asking for the tools and support that can help them get there faster.
If you’re working with data daily or weekly, you’re more likely to feel confident using it. Like any skill, fluency comes with repetition – and most economic developers are learning by doing.
For many professionals, the biggest barrier isn’t getting the data – it’s interpreting it. Understanding what the numbers mean, identifying patterns worth highlighting, and turning analysis into clear, persuasive messages is where confidence drops most. It’s the moment where data either becomes content – or doesn’t.
Whether you're an Economic Development Officer, Manager, Director, or CEO, lack of time and staffing came through loud and clear. And it’s not just the workload – it’s the pace. Professionals are expected to deliver data-informed content frequently, often with short turnaround times, across websites, presentations, proposals, reports, and more.
Those who struggle to find the right data are also the most likely to ask for better data access. Those who find visuals hard to create want tools that are simpler and more intuitive. What’s difficult and what’s needed line up clearly.
If there’s one clear takeaway from the survey, it’s this: the future of economic development will be defined not just by who has the best data – but by who can turn that data into content that informs, persuades, and delivers results.
That means better access, yes – but also better platforms, clearer guidance, and smarter support. It means shifting from manual processes to systems built for speed, clarity, and content that works. Economic developers are already doing this work. The next step is making it easier to do it well.
Our platform gives economic developers a reliable, always-on content engine – one that transforms complex location data into automatically updated profiles, stories, visualizations, and widgets. Whether it’s responding to an investment inquiry, preparing a report, updating your website, or building a presentation, the platform delivers high-quality content that’s accurate, visual, and ready to use.
Learn more at localintel.org or contact us at info@localintel.org.
We’re grateful to everyone who took part in this survey. Your input not only shaped this report—it helps us better understand the needs, challenges, and ambitions of the economic development community. Thank you for the work you do, and for sharing your perspective with us.
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