Fond Du Lac Times

Recently, Sadie Howell, the President and CEO of Envision Greater Fond du Lac, achieved certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) from Grow America. This credential is awarded to those who complete Grow America's rigorous training series in economic development finance. The program covers areas such as business credit analysis, real estate financing, loan packaging, deal structuring and negotiating, along with the creation and implementation of development programs.

Sadie Howell commented on her achievement: “Earning the Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) certification from Grow America is a significant milestone in advancing Envision Greater Fond du Lac’s mission to drive economic growth and support businesses in our region. This certification provides Envision the financial expertise necessary to structure and implement impactful development programs, from business credit analysis to real estate financing.”

Krista Ebbens, Chair of the Board of Directors at Envision Greater Fond du Lac, highlighted the importance of having certified professionals within their organization: “Having credentialed professionals within Envision ensures that we can strategically leverage financial tools and resources to foster business expansion, job creation, and community investment. This expertise strengthens our ability to serve as a catalyst for sustainable economic development, helping businesses and communities thrive.”

Grow America has trained over 70,000 professionals across various sectors including city and state governments, public agencies, community-based organizations, professional organizations and banks.