Chester County joined a very prestigious club as part of Business Facilities magazine’s inaugural EDO of the Year. The award was given to 24 economic development organizations (EDOs) in the U.S. and Canada for outstanding work in growing their respective communities. Chester County is one of six winners in the Small EDO of the Year category.
“Chester County has had an amazing run over the past couple of years with successes like E. &. J Gallo Winery, IKO Industries, and most recently Albemarle Corporation,” Robert Long, director of Chester County Economic Development, said. “In the past two years, we have announced almost $2.5 billion in new capital investment and the creation of more than 1,100 jobs. We are delighted to receive this recognition.”
For the first time, Business Facilities has recognized economic developers’ efforts toward growing their communities with its Economic Development Organization (EDO) Awards. In the competitive “team sport” of economic development, record-breaking projects and creating new pockets of economic growth are the brass ring communities are aiming to secure. The 2023 EDO Awards winners characterize tenacity from the grassroots level to securing multimillion-dollar projects.
“Every organization has a story behind their strategy, and we applaud all who submitted a nomination,” Anne Cosgrove, editorial director of Business Facilities, said. “And while these stories vary by size and scope, a common thread is that our winners demonstrated proven results, innovation, and resourcefulness, as well as effective partnerships. Congratulations to each of this year’s winners!”
The awards were given in five categories: State EDO of the Year, Utility EDO of the Year, Large EDO of the Year (population over 500K), Mid-Size EDO of the Year (population 100k to 500k), and Small EDO of the Year (population under 100k).
The winners in the Small EDO Award category are:
- Chester County Economic Development – South Carolina
- Cheyenne LEADS – Wyoming
- Mississippi County Economic Development – Arkansas
- Pflugerville Community Development Corp. – Texas
- Town of Flower Mound – Texas
- Village of Gurnee – Illinois
Full coverage of the 2023 Economic Development Organization Awards will be featured in the May/June issue of Business Facilities.
