FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2021
Contact: Maarja Hightower, Director of Communications
Phone: 910.500.6405
Email: maarja@fayedc.com

FCEDC Receives Award for Economic Development Organization of the Year

Winners Announced at IEDC Annual Conference in Nashville

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FAYETTEVILLE, NC – FCEDC won a Bronze Rank for Economic Development Organization (EDO) of the Year in IEDC’s 2021 Excellence in Economic Development Awards. The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a global membership organization of more than 5,000 professionals working to enhance quality of life, job growth, and economic prosperity across their communities.

Winners were announced at IEDC’s Annual Conference on Wednesday, October 6, in Nashville. FCEDC was recognized for its aggressive community promotion, leadership, and international development strategies. IEDC acknowledged FCEDC’s recent development wins totaling more than $253M in capital investment and 2,264 jobs; creation of the Global SOF Communities of Excellence alliance; and national public relations partnership that recently won the community more than $1.8M in ad equivalency. The team was specifically lauded for facilitating the creation and launch of the Can Do Carolina community-wide branding initiative.

“Our team is honored to be recognized for the work we are doing and are grateful for the funding and support we receive from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, our Board of Directors, and partners. We are proud to see our community’s efforts acknowledged by the world’s premier economic and community development organization, IEDC,” said FCEDC President & CEO, Robert Van Geons, CEcD.

Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers from around the world, following a nomination process held earlier this year. IEDC received over 500 submissions from four countries.

“The winners of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the best of economic development and exemplify the leadership that our profession strives for every day,” said 2021 IEDC Board Chair and Invest Buffalo Niagara, President and CEO, Tom Kucharski. “We’re honored to recognize the more than 100 communities whose marketing submissions, projects, and partnerships have improved regional quality of life.”

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About IEDC:  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. Learn more at iedconline.org.

About FCEDC: The Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation is a public-private partnership designed to enhance job growth and prosperity in the region by attracting new industry and growing and retaining existing industry. FCEDC works daily to help strengthen our economy and diversify our community tax base. Learn more at www.fayedc.com.