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, 2024.
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.
Representative Bird was selected as this year’s ‘Legislator Lifetime Achievement Winner’ for her achievements in the following activities:
- This legislator is a champion for the creation of a healthy business climate, workforce development, and supporting the needs of employees in order to retain, grow, and attract a highly skilled workforce that helps businesses thrive in Colorado.
- Legislative highlights include:
– Authority Of Public-private Collaboration Unit For Housing
– Employer Assistance For Home Purchase Tax Credit
– Advanced Industry Acceleration Programs
– Transfer to Colorado Economic Development Fund (CHIPS)
– Mechanisms For Federal Infrastructure Funding
– Alternative Transportation Options Tax Credit
– Mod Affordable Housing Tax Credit
– County Authority To Register Businesses
– Local Authority for Business Personal Property Tax Exemption
– Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning Tax Policy
– Create Occupational Credential Portability Program
– Extend Innovative Industries Workforce Development Program
– Small Business Recovery Loan Program Premium Tax Credits
Criteria to be considered for this award include:
- Demonstrated support for economic development initiatives or primary industry support over the course of their carrier.
- Sponsoring or being a leading voice on bills or ballot initiatives aimed at strengthening Colorado’s economy, identified in EDCC’s legislative policy statement: healthy business climate, effective well-maintained infrastructure, and well-educated workforce.
- Building consensus across the political spectrum to successfully pass bills or ballot initiatives that strengthen Colorado’s economic outlook.
“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.
