History

EDRI was formed in April 2003 by a group of area business leaders and government officials who were interested in strengthening the long-range economic development planning efforts of the Palm Beach County region. They envisioned an independent research institute that would provide sound, creative and objective intelligence to businesses, government and not-for-profit organizations about economic conditions, opportunities, and effective practices and policies. This public-policy "think tank" would also broker and leverage the considerable knowledge resources in the region and state to help address critical economic development challenges.

The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB) served as an incubator for the volunteer effort and in August 2003 contracted with Dr. Michael Luger of the University of North Carolina to provide a conceptual plan for the institute. The plan was completed in December 2004, and resulted in the development of EDRI's preliminary organizing strategy.  In January 2005 the Institute hired Greta von Unruh as Executive Director to implement that strategy, and to establish baseline economic data on the Palm Beach County region.

EDRI receives funding from subscriptions to its economic reports and other research products, individual and corporate sponsorships, and philanthropic grants.  EDRI is a non-profit corporation as defined in section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and pursuant to the Florida Not-for-Profit Corporation Act as set forth in Chapter 617 of the Florida Statutes.