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:
Bonnie Petersen was selected as this year’s ‘Chairman’s Choice Award’ for her Economic Development achievements within the Western Slope over the past five decades in the field. Some top attributes of her success:
- Served as the Executive Director of AGNC, establishing AGNC as the regional COG and support for Region 11. An organization that is focused on helping our Just Transition communities thrive.
- Served on EDCC’s Board of Directors as the Northwest Regional Director, helping expand EDCC’s reach within the region and supporting EDCC’s efforts in bringing quality content and programs to EDCC membership and stakeholders.
- Served as the Executive Director of CLUB 20, growing its membership, outreach, and connection to state leaders. The voice of Western Colorado.
- Founder of the Energy Forum and Expo, addressing energy opportunities in Western Colorado, selling out every year since its inception bringing 5,000 attendees to the Grand Valley.
- Established two successful businesses in residential construction of ENERGY STAR homes, and a financial planning business.
“The historic Avalon Theater 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.
