Giddings Economic Development Corporation Honored at IEDC Annual Conference

GIDDINGS, TX, October 12, 2021 – Giddings Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) was honored by the International Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) at their annual conference with a silver and three gold awards for economic development activities conducted in a city with a population less than 25,000. GEDC President, Alan Casey, and Executive Director, Tonya Britton, accepted the awards in Nashville, Tennessee on October 5, 2021.

The IEDC Annual Conference is the largest gathering of economic development professionals in the world, bringing together businesses, local governments, utilities, banks, consultants, organizations, and economic development vendors to support the event each year. IEDC has over 5,000 members total.

"From localized community projects to large-scale endeavors, economic development efforts have played a vital role in the global economy. As we address new and longstanding challenges, these efforts continue to take on even greater importance. The awards serve as a salute to pacesetting organizations like these for leading the charge," said 2021 IEDC Board Chair & President and CEO of Invest Buffalo Niagara, Tom Kucharski.

Additionally, Britton presented at the “Panel of Show and Tell Award Winners” during the conference. GEDC’s awards included:

• General Purpose Website, Population <25,000, Gold Award
• Multi-Year Economic Development, Population <25,000, Silver Award
• Real Estate Redevelopment & Reuse, Population <25,000, Gold Award
• Public-Private Partnerships, Population <25,000, Gold Award

“These multi-year projects could not have happened without our dedicated board members, Mayor and City Council, and our amazing private partners. Such an honor to have been a part of these activities over the last seven years!” said Britton.

John Marshall, President of Golden Shovel Agency, GEDC’s website developer, had this to say: “Our clients are truly best in class. The economic developers we work with embody the spirit of the industry, are true professionals, and forward thinkers. As a company, our job is to support their efforts and I am pleased with how well we have been able to do so.” 

Giddings, TX, is an urban-fringe community located just 55 minutes from Austin, TX — one of the fastest growing cities in the country. The area around Giddings is rapidly growing and the city is poised to become the main destination in between Austin and Houston. The GEDC serves this community as an engine for economic growth by being aggressively pro-business with a proven track record 

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THE GIDDINGS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (GEDC) administers the City of Giddings’ half-cent 4-B sales tax revenues – approved by voters in 1996 – for economic and community development. Eligible activities for receipt of these funds are outlined in the proposition section of the City Ordinance authorizing the creation of the GEDCC. The Corporation owns and manages the Giddings 290 Business Park and the historic Railroad Depot Complex, and administers the vacant buildings and the business development incentives programs. The Corporation is managed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Giddings City Council. LEARN MORE ABOUT GEDC HERE.

THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (IEDC) is a nonprofit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,000 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 are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of 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 ABOUT IEDC HERE.