The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) recognized the Palm Beach County Economic Development Office (EDO) with an Honorable Mention at the IEDC’s 2008 Annual Conference. EDO was honored for its Globalization Program during the awards ceremony on October 21, 2008.
"Economic development efforts have long been a keystone in the quest to bolster the economy and improve quality of life in every locality across the country," said Robin Roberts Krieger, IEDC chair. "As the nation continues to tackle longstanding challenges in the midst of an inhospitable financial climate, these efforts have taken on an even greater significance. With the award, we laud trendsetting organizations like the Palm Beach County Economic Development Office for leading the charge."
EDO competed in the category of Responding to Globalization and it was a clear standout with its "21st Century Strategic Economic Development Plan: A Global Commerce Initiative." The principal goal of the Global Commerce Initiative is to improve the livability and quality of life in Palm Beach County through economic growth that creates high quality jobs, generates wealth and investment, sustainability, and helps to ensure long-term fiscal health.
In a 21st Century environment, EDO thinks differently about its community, as an economic and environmental prototype among the world's top locations with the intent to thrive in the competitive, global marketplace. Research of global "best practices" in economic development and consultation with the World Trade Center and Business Development Board leaderships articulated EDO's need to "think differently about competitiveness, and Palm Beach County's role as a "world class" place.
In its strategic economic plan, the organization updated the old models and approaches to stimulating economic growth, combining the role of innovation with new international capital equity, finance, industries of the mind, an intermodal trade hub, and sustainable quality of place initiatives. The result is the Global Commerce Initiative, a comprehensive international economic development strategy to position Palm Beach County in the global economy that is rapidly approaching.
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is headquartered in Washington, DC. Its mission is to provide leadership and excellence in economic development for communities, members and partners. IEDC's professional economic development awards annually recognize excellence in the economic development profession.
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