Thirty Years Strong: Looking Ahead with Gratitude and Momentum

As we close RDG’s 30th anniversary year, our team remains deeply engaged in supporting the organizations we are privileged to serve. As anticipated earlier in the year, the fourth quarter brought increased client activity as economic development organizations and chambers of commerce navigated an often-unpredictable economic environment and adjusted to changes in federal grant funding.



Across the industry, leaders have responded with creativity, resilience, and a willingness to explore new approaches. Many organizations are thoughtfully expanding beyond traditional operating models, including the pursuit of private-sector investment to complement public resources—sometimes for the first time. It has been rewarding to walk alongside clients as they position themselves for long-term sustainability and impact.

Reflecting on our work in 2025, I am grateful for the trust our clients place in RDG. This year, we had the opportunity to collaborate with the following organizations, many of which will continue into 2026:

We were also pleased to develop case studies highlighting the work of Maury Alliance and the Greater Wichita Partnership. These examples showcase what is possible when strong local leadership aligns vision, strategy, and investment. Both case studies are available here on our website.

One of the most meaningful milestones of the year was the announcement of RDG’s partnership with OCO Global, focused on extending proven public-private funding models to economic development agencies in Europe. This collaboration reflects conversations that began several years ago by Rob Radcliff, Doug Radcliff, Vincent Raufast, and Gareth Hagan and were grounded in a shared belief that communities benefit when financial strategies are both diversified and durable.

We are grateful to our colleagues at OCO Global—past and present—for their collaboration and shared perspective. As this partnership moves forward under the leadership of CEO Joachim Arnold, we look forward to contributing practical frameworks and real-world examples that support implementation, not just ideas. Our goal is to help organizations strengthen financial resilience while delivering measurable, community-level outcomes.

In 2025, we also invested in improving the tools and services that support our clients’ work. This included a complete rebuild of Campaign Manager, our campaign-tracking platform, with new investor engagement capabilities, as well as expanded investor-relations support for several client organizations.

None of this work happens in isolation. It happens because committed leaders choose to invest in their organizations, their regions, and their future—and invite us to support that journey. As we conclude our 30th anniversary year, I am sincerely thankful for every client, partner, and colleague who has shaped RDG’s work. Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to continue learning, collaborating, and serving the organizations that strengthen communities across the country and beyond.

Happy New Year,