As part of FLGR/ICMA Local Economic Development (LED) CityLinks Program in Bulgaria, 7 Local Economic Development Specialists from Bulgarian cities participated in three-week internships in partner cities in the United States. Dimiter Petrushev, from the Municipality of Strajitsa, and Asan Imamov from the Municipality of Gotse Delchev, spent their time in Novi, Michigan, from May 21 through June 10, 2007. They gained hands-on experience in U.S. economic development tools and techniques that may be adapted to the Bulgarian environment upon their return.

A proficiency in English and LED certification through FLGR/ICMA program were the basic requirements for all Bulgarian participants. Interns are required to develop a detailed local economic development implementation work plan when they return to their cities to integrate what they have learned during the internships into their jobs and related projects.

Mr. Imamov’s and Mr. Petrushev’s schedules spared little room for free time during their stay in the United States. A large part of the internship involved job shadowing, which provided the interns with a typical day’s work for an economic developer in the U.S. They attended council meetings to get a perspective on how elected officials interact with staff, citizens, and businesses in their communities. The interns also had the opportunity to learn about the city's zoning and development processes, business networking and partnerships, as well as infrastructure projects underway in Novi.

During their stay in Novi both interns had the opportunity to work on rehabilitation of the "Four Points Corridor" and work with the economic development team on a business greeting program, a business trends survey, and a mechanism for tracking business retention visits. The interns also provided insights into ways that Novi cfould provide services to a wide range of cultural communities and increase its international magnetism.

The Bulgaria CityLinks Economic Development program is aimed at equipping local officials to meet the needs and challenges of the newly decentralized Bulgarian municipalities, including retaining current employment levels and attracting new jobs and investment to their cities. Besides U.S.-based internships (for the years 2006 and 2007 overall of 30 Bulgarian LED experts participated the internships), the LED program incorporates Bulgarian-Bulgarian mentorship, city-specific projects, and a certification program.

More info at:

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070603/CFP09/706030353

 Asan Imamov from the Municipality of Gotse Delchev‚ and Dimiter Petrushev‚ from the Municipality of Strajitsa