Select USA
The Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation recently attended the 2026 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, where Executive Director Joann Knight and Assistant Director of Economic Development Mollea Lightner joined thousands of economic development professionals, business leaders, and international investors from around the world to promote investment opportunities in Dodge City and Ford County.
Hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the SelectUSA Investment Summit is the nation’s premier event dedicated to attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into the United States. The annual summit connects economic development organizations with international companies seeking to expand or establish operations in U.S. communities. This year’s event welcomed more than 5,500 participants and business investors representing over 100 countries and markets.
During the summit, Knight and Lightner participated in networking sessions, industry discussions, and business meetings focused on manufacturing, energy, food processing, technology, and emerging industries. The event provided opportunities to showcase Dodge City’s strategic location, workforce strengths, infrastructure investments, and business-friendly environment to companies considering U.S. expansion.
“SelectUSA provided an incredible opportunity to connect directly with international companies and site selection professionals who are actively exploring investment opportunities across the United States,” said Lightner. “Events like this help position Dodge City and Ford County on a global stage and allow us to share the momentum our community is experiencing.”
The summit also featured educational sessions on workforce development, global investment trends, supply chain opportunities, and strategies for attracting international business investment. Since its inception, SelectUSA has facilitated hundreds of billions of dollars in investment projects supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide.
Participation in the SelectUSA Investment Summit aligns with the Development Corporation’s ongoing efforts to recruit new industry, support business expansion, and strengthen the regional economy through strategic partnerships and relationship-building opportunities.
