Sheree Clark of the Pierce County Economic Development Division has received certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional after passing a series of examinations administered by the National Development Council.

Clark, who joined the county six years ago, is a loan officer and offers small business financing programs and technical assistance to local businesses. Pierce County Economic Development is a division of the County Executive’s Office.

Certification is awarded individuals who successfully complete an intensive economic development finance training series conducted by NDC. The courses provide training in credit analysis, real estate financing, loan packaging, and deal structuring and negotiating. Participants also learn how to create and implement economic development programs.

The New York-based council was established in 1972 and is a private non-profit corporation which specializes in economic/housing development training and technical assistance for economic and housing development. NDC contracts with city and state governments, public agencies, community-based organizations, professional organizations and bankers throughout the United States.