Brian Baker, UMW executive director for economic development, attended the White House Business Council “Economic Development Forum” on Sept. 27. The forum was a collaboration between the White House Business Council and the International Economic Development Council. Economic development executives from across the nation were invited to participate in briefs from economists and senior leadership in the Department of Commerce, U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, Export-Import Bank, Treasury, Small Business Administration, International Economic Affairs, and others. The 2013 topics of discussion included the macroeconomic outlook, facilitating foreign investment in the U.S., capital access and entrepreneurship, innovations in workforce development, and critical infrastructure needs for the 21st century.