MadREP among recipients of Mid-America Economic Development Council 2017 Annual Economic Development Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 6, 2017

The Mid-America Economic Development Council presented its annual Economic Development awards at the 2017 Mid-America Competitiveness Conference & Site Selector Forum, held December 3-5 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Chicago. Award entries were accepted in two markets per category – large market (annual marketing budget over $100,000) and small market (annual marketing budget under $100,000).

MadREP had winning entries in two categories: Annual Report and Workforce Development, for its annual Madison Region Economic Development Guide & Annual Report as well as the Inspire Madison Region program.

Recognition was presented to:

Deal of the Year – Selected from major projects announced in late 2016 or 2017 in the Mid-America region.  Recognizes outstanding achievement in the location of a new or existing business, a type of economic development project having a major impact on a Community or Region, or the exhibiting of excellence by an economic development organization.

• Winner – Consumers Energy Switch Data Center – Flint, MI

Entrepreneurial Award – Unique approaches to enhancing the Entrepreneurial culture in your city or region.  Unique approaches for assisting young companies through the start-up/early stage of a business life cycle.

Small Division:

• Winner – Startup South Bend – Elkhart Website – South Bend, IN

Large Division:

• Winner – Greater Des Moines Global Insurance Accelerator Creation – Des Moines, IA

Marketing Program – An overall comprehensive marketing program to market a community, county, state, or region to a prospect.

Small Division:

• Winner – Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber – Victory for the Valley – Warren, OH
• Finalist – Greater Ann Arbor Region Winter Campaign – Ann Arbor, MI
• Finalist – Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce Property Catalog – Flint, MI

Large Division:

• Winner – Consumers Energy – Energy Profile Program – Flint, MI

Business Retention & Expansion – Specific initiatives that are designed to retain or expand existing industries.

Small Division:

• Winner – City of Madison Northside Business Walk – Madison, WI

Annual Report – A regularly published document that addresses economic development issues and/or informs readers of an organization’s activities.

Small Division:

• Winner – Madison Region Economic Development Guide & Annual Report – Madison, WI
• Finalist – Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce – Building the Future:  2016 Annual Report – Flint, MI
• Finalist – Green County Development Corporation 2016 Annual Report – Monroe, WI

Large Division:

• Winner – Greater Des Moines Partnership Maximizing Momentum Video – Des Moines, IA
• Finalist – Greater Dubuque Development – 2016-2017 Annual Report – Dubuque, IA
• Finalist – Together We Are Greater — GREATER MSP Annual Report – Saint Paul, MN

Workforce Development – Activities to attract new workforce, strengthen the skills of existing workforce or encourage retention of youth in a specific area.

Small Division:

• Winner – Madison Region Economic Development Partnership – Inspire Madison Region – Madison, WI
• Finalist – Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber – Community Connectors – Warren, OH
• Finalist – Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development Corporation – Summer Intern Program – Algona, IA

Large Division:

• Winner – Greater Dubuque Development – Opportunity Dubuque – Dubuque, IA
• Finalist – Greater MSP – Make It. MSP. – Saint Paul, MN

Mid-America EDC is a multi-state association dedicated to being the leading resource for making contact with site selectors, advancing regional economic development programs, and accessing thought leadership. For many years, The Mid-America Economic Development Council has sponsored the annual Economic Development Awards competition to recognize and stimulate the creative use of quality marketing by economic development organizations throughout the twelve-state Mid-America region in promoting their respective communities. The Mid-America Economic Development Council’s awards partner is Conway Inc., and all first place award winners will be highlighted in an ad in the January issue of Site Selection magazine.

For more information about The Mid-America Economic Development Council and to view more information about this year’s winning award entries, please visit www.midamericaedc.org.