International Economic Development Council_ECIA AwardFor Immediate Release
September 28, 2010
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Media Release
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EAST CENTRAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL ASSOCIATION RECEIVES
EXCELLENCE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD FROM THE
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
The East Central Intergovernmental Association received an Excellence in Economic
Development Award for their AccessMyFuture.com...Find Your Road to Success in the category of
Special Purpose Website for communities with populations of 25,000 — 200,000 from the International
Economic Development Council (IEDC).
The honor was presented at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, September 28 during the IEDC
Annual Conference, September 26 -29 in Columbus, Ohio.
"We recognize the East Central Intergovernmental Association for providing successful strategies
to promote new paradigms in economic development in this period of global recovery," said William
Best, IEDC chair. "Our awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive
change in communities. The East Central Intergovernmental Association is showing that they are at the
forefront of the economic development profession and are using innovative and effective practices that
can be replicated in other communities."
Prosperity Eastern Iowa is a multi - organizational economic development group in eastern Iowa
working to successfully market and position the regional product as a competitive place to do business.
The counties that have partnered to form Prosperity Eastern Iowa include Dubuque, Delaware, Jackson
and Jones plus the cities of Springville and Marion in Linn County and city of DeWitt in Clinton County.
AccessMyFuture.com...Find Your Road to Success is a website targeted towards junior high,
high school and college students, and young professionals, aiming to attract and retain this demographic
in Eastern Iowa. It provides information and resources about careers, educational opportunities, and
highlights quality of life activities in Eastern Iowa. Visitors can explore career options through video
testimonials from young professionals already in the field, develop interview skills, search available jobs
and internships, learn how to start a business by clicking on items in a virtual garage, and communicate
with others through a blog on the accessmyfuture.com website. It also contains an interactive game where
visitors can create their own mode of transportation (currently a car or a bicycle), and post it to their
Facebook page, email it to a friend, or simply save it to their computer. All visitors can also sign up for a
free, award winning, regional music CD.
The Excellence in Economic Awards Program annually recognizes the world's best economic
development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year's most influential leaders. The
program honors organizations and individuals in 28 categories for their efforts in creating positive change
in urban, suburban, and rural communities.
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is the premier membership
organization dedicated to helping economic development professionals create high - quality jobs, develop
vibrant communities and improve the quality of life in their regions. Serving more than 4,500 members,
IEDC represents the largest network of economic development professionals in the world. IEDC
provides a diverse range of services, including conferences, certification, professional development,
publications, research, advisory services and legislative tracking.
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