LANSING, Mich. – The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) has received two top Excellence in Economic Development awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the world’s top leader in setting standards for the economic development industry. The awards, a gold award for the publication Start Chartand a silver award for Stronger Together: Lansing Economic Area Partnership 2017 Annual Report, were presented during an awards ceremony held Tuesday, Oct. 2, at the recent IEDC annual conference held in Atlanta.
Craig Richard, CEcD, FM, President and CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation located in Tampa, Florida, and 2018 IEDC Board Chair, spoke about the competitiveness of the IEDC awards and role the awards play in setting standards for the profession worldwide, “This year our judges reviewed some extraordinary projects that advanced both communities and businesses. We congratulate all the award winners and thank everyone who nominated their projects for sharing their success with fellow IEDC members. What we learn from each other helps us to grow and advance as a profession. We look forward to even greater participation from economic developers across the globe in the 2019 awards program.”
LEAP’s Start Chart was designed to strengthen connections and visibility between entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs) in the Tri-County region, helping entrepreneurs better understand their business cases and take steps toward implementing their ideas. The guide offers information about local startup resources along with educational worksheets and templates in one easy to use booklet. Learn more about LEAP’s work in developing the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem and Start Chart at www.purelansing.com/startchart.
LEAP’s 2017 Annual Report, Stronger Together, communicates the impact of LEAP's work and the organization’s role, together with the LEAP membership and other regional partners, in creating a stable regional economy with tremendous growth potential through regional economic development efforts. Stronger Together showcases LEAP’s work during 2017, as well as private investment, direct jobs created, and other notable metrics such as NET migration, labor force growth and others, over a 5-year period. The report can be accessed in print and online at www.purelansing.com/annualreport
“LEAP is proud to have received these prestigious awards on behalf of our membership and the region, recognizing our commitment to economic development excellence and the highest standards in communicating the impact of our work,” said Bob Trezise, President and CEO of LEAP. “Our region is on the cusp of a record-breaking $3 billion of new construction and LEAP, with the support of our members, has played a strong role in achieving this. While the progress we are seeing is the true reward, these awards are another signal that we are competitive, are competing and we are winning. Look forward to another strong showing from LEAP in 2019!”
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