Arizona Association for Economic Development Recognizes National Economic Development Week, May 4-9

(PHOENIX  – April 30, 2020) – The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED), along with the International Economic Development Council, is recognizing National Economic Development Week from May 4-9.

The week recognizes the contributions of positive economic development with a concerted effort to explain the role of the profession in the local community.  It also calls attention to the stewardship economic developers provide for:

• Policies that government undertakes to meet broad economic objectives including inflation control, high employment, and sustainable growth.
• Policies and programs to provide services such as building highways, managing parks, and providing medical access to the disadvantaged.
• Policies and programs explicitly directed at improving the business climate through specific efforts, business finance, marketing, neighborhood development, business retention and expansion, technology transfer, real estate development and others.

“What our economic developers provide to our community as a whole often goes unnoticed,” said Carrie Kelly, AAED’s executive director.  “And with the current COVID-19 crisis, their role will be even more critical as our economies are re-opened in the coming weeks and months.”

Now in its fifth year, National Economic Development Week was created by the International Economic Development Council, the largest professional membership organization for economic developers, in 2016 to recognize the unique role that economic development has in creating vibrant communities with strong economies. Over the span of four years, more than 450 campaigns have been created throughout the United States

and Canada, creating millions of impressions, hundreds of news stories, blog entries, videos, events and other activities. Cities, counties and states recognized the week in past years through official proclamations, local community events, and informational campaigns online and through social media. The United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) has also issued a statement commemorating Economic Development Week in past years.

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, call AAED at (602) 240-AAED (2233), or visit www.aaed.com.

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