LEAP Receives Top International Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council
Excellence in Project Work and Publication Design Garner Awards from Economic Development Industry’s Most Respected Governing Body
LANSING, Mich. – Building off a respected history of excellence in economic development practice, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) has received two top international Excellence in Economic Development awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), for the recent St. John’s Dairy Campus project (Midwest Cheese), now recognized as one of the largest value-added agricultural projects in Michigan history, and the 2018 LEAP annual report.
The IEDC is the world’s top leader in setting standards for the economic development industry and each year recognizes the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials and the year’s most influential leaders through the Excellence in Economic Development Awards. Competing across 24 categories, more than 400 entries were received for the 2019 competition.
“LEAP is proud and honored to receive these prestigious awards from the IEDC on behalf of our membership and region. These awards are highly competitive and set standards for the profession worldwide, and they are reflective of LEAP’s relentless pursuit of excellence in all that we do,” said LEAP president and CEO, Bob Trezise.
During awards ceremonies held Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the recent IEDC annual conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, LEAP was joined by project partners from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), St. Johns and the Clinton County Economic Alliance in accepting the Gold award in the public-private partnership category for the Midwest Cheese project.
“Attracting the Midwest Cheese project to the Lansing region is an accomplishment LEAP is proud to have led over three years, involving critical partnerships among numerous state departments, local government units, educational and workforce organizations and private sector entities. This is another signal that we are competing successfully on various fronts and winning projects as a result,” said Keith Lambert, LEAP’s vice president of business attraction.
In addition, LEAP accepted a silver award for Local to Global: Lansing Economic Area Partnership 2018 Annual Report.
“Our annual report is an example of our commitment to the highest standards in communicating the impact of our work. Together, these two awards represent our promise to practice economic development excellence at all levels,” said Victoria Meadows, LEAP’s vice president of marketing and communications.
LEAP’s 2019 Excellence in Economic Development awards add to past IEDC awards received by LEAP including:
- 2018 – Gold award for LEAP’s StartChart Resource Guide for Entrepreneurs
- 2018 – Silver award for Stronger Together: 2018 LEAP Annual Report
- 2016 – Gold award for the Outfield project (partnership category)
- 2016 – Silver award for the Outfield project (real estate redevelopment and reuse category)
- 2016 – Bronze award for 2015 LEAP Annual Report
- 2015 – Silver award for the Knapp’s Center project (real estate redevelopment and reuse category)
- 2011 – Gold award for Ottawa Power Station project
- 2011 – Gold award for regional overview brochure
- 2011 – Gold award for Entrepreneurs Edge program
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About LEAP
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is a coalition of area leaders partnering to build a stronger community for all–working every day to grow, retain and attract business to the Lansing, Michigan, region.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is the world’s largest membership organization for economic development professionals. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life in their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban and local to international, our members represent the entire range of economic development. Learn more at iedconline.org
Category: LEAP Announcements, Press Releases