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Webinar — Assessing State and Local Incentives for Attracting New Energy Investment

Tuesday · June 9, 2026
1:00–2:00 p.m. ET
Virtual Virtual

In the past decade and especially since 2021, state and local governments across the United States have announced billions of dollars’ worth of economic development incentives to attract and grow project-level investment in electricity infrastructure, clean fuels, and new energy technology manufacturing. Some of these projects are now online and have catalyzed local job growth. Others have been downsized or canceled entirely. Still others remain in the pipeline but with evolving timeframes. This uncertainty raises questions about whether and how state and local governments should design and disburse incentive packages, particularly for large projects.

Were these incentives worth it? Which of these incentives were worth it? What can state and local leaders learn as they position the places they represent for new economic development?

Spoiler alert: For the most part, they were worth it—but the details really matter.

Join RMI and the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research for this presentation of new research that will shed light on these critical questions.

This webinar is supported by the New Energy Industrial Strategy (NEIS) Center.

About the New Energy Industrial Strategy (NEIS) Center

The New Energy Industrial Strategy (NEIS) Center is building a global network of researchers, policymakers, and private sector stakeholders who are advancing new energy industrial strategies. Advanced energy technologies are essential to build the industries of the future. We develop policies and approaches designed to harness the potential of advanced energy systems to build a nation’s most strategically important industries — such as defense, AI, semiconductors, and more — as well as the clean energy industries themselves.

About the Speakers

Aaron Brickman

Aaron Brickman

Senior Principal
Timothy J. Bartik

Timothy J. Bartik

Senior Economist, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
Thomas Maynard

Thomas Maynard

Executive Vice President, Business Development, Greater Phoenix Economic Council

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