About the Great Lakes EDC
The Great Lakes Economic Development Council is a voluntary association of governments, universities, businesses, and economic development organizations dedicated to driving growth and revitalization across the binational Great Lakes region. Its footprint spans Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, together with the provinces of Ontario and Québec — a region of roughly 50 million people.
The Council focuses on trade, infrastructure, innovation, sustainability, and talent, and on presenting the Great Lakes to investors as an integrated economic system rather than a collection of competing jurisdictions. It works alongside the region’s established intergovernmental and environmental institutions, connecting the practitioners — planners, engineers, public officials, bankers, site selectors, freight leaders, and workforce educators — who turn the region’s strengths into investment and jobs.
Dean’s Role
In April 2026, the Great Lakes EDC named Dean M. Prestegaard Chair of its Advisory Board, with Teresa A. Nortillo, MPA, CEcD, President of EcoDevo360, as Vice-Chair. The Advisory Board represents economic development leaders from across the region and supports the Council’s strategic direction, programming, partnerships, and cross-border collaboration — including the annual Great Lakes Rising conference and the “Be Greater!” webinar series.
“The Great Lakes EDC connects economic development professionals across a binational region with enormous long-term potential. I look forward to working with the Advisory Board to advance programming, partnerships, and initiatives that support the growth and resilience of communities throughout the region.”
— Dean M. Prestegaard, Chair, Great Lakes EDC Advisory BoardGreat Lakes Rising 2026
The Council’s second annual conference, Great Lakes Rising 2026, convened September 23–25, 2026, at The Westin Milwaukee under the theme “Be Greater. Together.” Participants came from across the U.S. states and Canadian provinces of the region. Dean served as master of ceremonies, delivered the opening and closing remarks, and moderated the “Why Invest Here?” panel and a facilitated discussion on the Council’s role in the region.
Winning the Next Generation of Investment
An opening address on foreign direct investment attraction, followed by an evidence-based case for the Great Lakes as an investment destination.
The Site Selector’s View
National site selection advisors on what investors look for and how communities can translate their assets into answers to a specific investor’s needs.
Containerized Shipping & Cruise Ports
The next frontier for the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway, and what it takes for a port community to land cruise traffic.
One Region, One Voice
Leaders of the region’s intergovernmental organizations on coordinating a shared regional agenda, alongside a session on environmental restoration as economic development.
The conference also featured the first “Coolest of the Great Lakes” pitch competition and a ceremony formalizing partnerships with regional organizations, including the Wisconsin Economic Development Association. Insights from the facilitated discussion are informing the Advisory Board’s work plan for the coming year.
Looking Ahead: Great Lakes Rising 2027
At the close of the 2026 conference, the Council announced that Great Lakes Rising 2027 will be held in Niagara Falls, Ontario — the first Great Lakes Rising hosted in Canada. Dates will be announced.
Sharing the Great Lakes Story
- Global Chamber FDI and Investment Forum (July 2026). Dean was the featured panelist introducing the Great Lakes EDC to an international audience of investment and trade professionals.
- Site Selection Magazine (May 2026). Dean was quoted in “Great Lakes: A Legacy Constantly in the Making,” discussing workforce, brownfields, and freight.
- Great Lakes Investment Guide 2026 (Site Selection Magazine). Dean contributed the chair’s letter, “Powering Progress, Together,” on the region’s scale, freshwater advantage, and binational talent base. Read the Guide →
“In the Great Lakes region, we offer so many different activities with the natural environment — there is an attraction to the younger workforce to be in places like this when they’re thinking about raising their families.”
— Dean Prestegaard, quoted in Site Selection Magazine, May 2026