THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF COLORADO ANNOUNCES 2023 EDIE AWARD RECIPIENTS
Top people, places and projects in economic development honored at annual awards dinner & ceremony
GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO (Oct. 19, 2023) – The Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC) announced the 2023 EDIE award recipients, recognizing economic development excellence during its annual Drive|Lead|Succeed Conference at Grand Junction Convention Center in Grand Junction, Colorado Oct. 18-20, 2023.
The most recognized award in economic development in Colorado, the EDIE represents outstanding achievements by its members, organizations, communities, companies, individuals and legislators for their outstanding achievements in economic development in the State of Colorado. Since 1989, EDCC has celebrated the achievements of over 200 award winners. This year, 12 awardees were recognized.
Commissioner Tim Redmond was selected as this year’s ‘Volunteer of the Year’ for his achievements in the following activities:
- Demonstrated exceptional leadership in economic development for a three-county region, leading efforts to reconstitute an intergovernmental agreement to address the devastating economic and social impacts from a coalmine shutdown.
- Advocates for regionalism, bridging trust gaps with neighboring counties, building collaborative relationships to tackle economic diversification and resiliency; workforce development; affordability housing; access to child care; and regional transportation.
- Commissioner Redmond’s vision and leadership has moved the region forward at an accelerated pace that is inclusive of all three counties and seven communities.
- Serves on the DOLA Energy Impact Assistance Advisory Board, Rocky Mountain Youth Corp., a member of the El Pomar Foundation Northwest Council with a focus on child care, economic development, and the coal transition along with housing and workforce development, and finally, volunteers as a mentor for Partners of Routt County.
Criteria to be considered for this award include:
- A citizen of Colorado engaged in significant economic development activities within the state from more than two years.
- Is not directly employed in the profession of economic development.
- Has a demonstrated history of involvement in economic development projects in Colorado that are of historical significance to the state or a region of the state.
- Demonstrate leadership and involvement in more than one economic development project or a single project of magnitude.
“The historic Avalon Theatre in downtown Grand Junction was the perfect place to honor this diverse and talented cast of contributors to Colorado’s economic development community,” said Drew Kramer, EDCC Board Chair and Economic Development Program Manager for Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association. ”Each of the winners represents a key piece of the complex puzzle we must complete to ensure an economically viable future for Colorado – from large and small communities to national corporations and local businesses to elected officials and individual professionals and advocates.”
Kramer further noted the hard work that EDCC Executive Director Kim Woodworth, her staff and several volunteers put in to make the Drive|Lead|Succeed Conference such an effective gathering of the state’s economic development professionals, policymakers and business leaders. An estimated 300 attendees converged in Grand Junction for an agenda rich with content covering everything from housing and the impacts of the outdoor recreation industry to leadership development and demographic trends. Taking place, the second night of the conference, the EDIE Awards ceremony was held at the recently renovated Avalon Theatre in Grand Junction’s Main Street District.
