Arizona Association for Economic Development Receives Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council

(CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – Nov. 11, 2020) – The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has awarded the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) a Gold Rank for its innovative program “Economic Development Week: Resilient Arizona Communities,” in recognition of the City of Casa Grande’s collaboration with other Arizona communities during the pandemic. The honor was presented during the recent IEDC Annual Conference.

“The Arizona Association for Economic Development is thrilled to receive this top honor from the IEDC for our Economic Development Week efforts earlier in the year,” said Carrie Kelly, executive director of AAED.  “Arizona truly has resilient communities, and we were happy to highlight how those communities came together to support the economy during the start of the pandemic.”

AAED’s “Economic Development Week: Resilient Arizona Communities” campaign highlights how Arizona communities and organizations have come together during COVID-19 through innovation and collaboration. Communities that were highlighted included the City of Prescott, City of Page, City of Casa Grande, Town of Sahuarita, City of Scottsdale and the Town of Payson, as well as efforts by economic developers and economic development organizations.

 

IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders. Thirty-five award categories honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers worldwide, following a nomination process held earlier this year. IEDC received more than 500 submissions from four countries.

“The winners of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the very best of economic development and exemplify the ingenuity, integrity, and leadership that our profession strives for each and every day,” said Kenny McDonald, 2020 IEDC board chair and CEO of One Columbus. “We’re honored to recognize the more than 100 communities whose marketing campaigns, projects, and partnerships have measurably improved regional quality of life.”

 

About the Arizona Association for Economic Development

AAED, founded in 1974, has a mission to serve as Arizona’s unified voice advocating for responsible economic development through an effective program of professional education, public policy, and collaboration. For more information on AAED, visit www.aaed.com or call (602) 240-2233.

 

About the International Economic Development Council

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,000 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at iedconline.org.

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at Nov 11, 2020

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