HAGERSTOWN, MD (October 17, 2023) – The Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development received a 2023 Excellence in Economic Development Gold and Bronze Awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The award was bestowed specifically for the organization’s work in the Magazine & Newsletter (GOLD) and Multimedia/Video Promotion (BRONZE) categories that impacted 25,000-200,000 residents. Leslie Hart, Business Specialist, was acknowledged and honored at the IEDC 2023 Annual Conference during the inaugural Recognition Night event in Dallas, TX, September 19.
“The Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development has raised the bar for excellence in economic development with its Grown Local Magazine and Faces of Farming Video campaign. This award is a testament to The Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development’s dedication to its residents and serves as a great example of how economic development can help transform a community for the better,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO. “It is IEDC’s honor and privilege to present The Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development with this award and recognize its leadership and innovation in the field of economic development!”
Every year IEDC looks specifically for economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities, and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development.
“The Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development is proud to have been awarded not only one but two awards for the marketing efforts of our Business Specialist in the industry of Agriculture,” said Jonathan Horowitz, Director of the Department of Business and Economic Development. “The Grown Local Hagerstown Magazine publication conveys the heart and soul of what farming in our community looks and feels like while providing our citizens with a resource to engage with the industry’s products. The Faces of Farming video campaign can tug at even the toughest of heartstrings and are designed to be used in perpetuity as educational pieces to a variety of audiences. Thank you to the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the Washington County Board of County Commissioners for their recognition of our efforts.”
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in the full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at iedconline.org.
For additional information, please contact Washington County’s Public Relations and Marketing Department at [email protected].
