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:
Stacy Brown was selected as this year’s ‘Economic Achievement Award’ for her achievements in the following activities:
- Stacy has long exemplified a level of commitment to the Town and Region and serves as a model for others.
- Stacy is an Economic Development Institute graduate and has been a dedicated economic development professional throughout Colorado for over 24 years, half of which has been spent in the current community she works for.
- Stacy is regionally minded and works to support Economic Development efforts within the region. Stacy attends monthly regional meetings and has been a long-time member, advocate, and board member of EDCC.
- Stacy has mentored several economic development organizations across the state including Grand Junction, Fort Lupton, Berthoud, and Wellington.
- Along with staff, Stacy has been successful in attracting and retaining companies that have invested nearly $667 million into the community, have built or acquired over 2 million square feet of space, and have or will add over 3,000 jobs in the next few years. These jobs maintain an average base salary of over $67,000, with a total payroll of over $177 million.
- For over 30 years, this region has been trying to bring professional sports to its region. After nearly 7 years working this project, a 118-acre sports complex, designed to host guests for major sports tournaments, events, leagues, and more, open in 2023. The complex facility is designed for players of all ages and skill levels.
Criteria to be considered for this award include:
- Practicing professional in Colorado for at least 5 years.
- Commitment to personal professional development – including but limited to CED, EDI graduate, or CEcD.
- Economic development success in their organization/community – demonstrated by Job Growth, Capital Investment, Redevelopment, or Increased Tourism.
- Furthering development of the profession in Colorado (outside their individual organization).
- Involvement in regional economic development or EDCC, mentorship, legislative work, conference, or workshop development.
- Promoting the importance of the profession and its purpose – Local or state press coverage of economic development issues and events, serving with non-economic development organizations as an economic development professional, educating elected officials and community leaders.
“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.
