OCEDA receives award from International Economic Development Council

Ohio County Economic Development Alliance won a Silver Rank for its Ohio County Economic Development Alliance Website, a project in the category of General Purpose Website of the International Economic Development Council. The honor was presented last week at an awards ceremony during the IEDC Annual Conference, which is currently underway.

IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials and the year’s most influential leaders. The 25 award categories honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban and rural communities. Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers, following a nomination process held earlier this year. IEDC received over 500 submissions from four countries.

The new website, launched last year, overcame two obstacles hindering OCEDA before: OCEDA wasn’t very searchable and wasn’t providing information people needed.

“This website gave us the style/substance of a robust, appealing online presence. We’re showing up in more searches and hearing from more site selectors. Our requests for information have increased significantly. The OCEDA website, OhioCountyKY.com, continues to be a one-stop-shop for those looking for information about moving to Ohio County to work, live, play, visit, invest or expand business,” said Jodi Ashby, executive director of OCEDA.

Ashby requested the funds to create a new, globally visible website, from the Ohio County Fiscal Court. Once approved, Golden Shovel Agency was contracted to help design and host the site. Ashby and Christina Carpenter, executive assistant of OCEDA, have promoted the website both locally, nationally and internationally. Their goal is to attract new workforce and business to the community and showcase the unique livability of the rural Western Kentucky county.

“It’s paramount in today’s world that we have a user-friendly and informational website. I think OCEDA accomplished this and it will benefit our community for years to come,” said State Representative Scott Lewis.

“The OCEDA website is a national leader in economic development media. Today, the first visit a community receives is on their website. The team in Ohio County has done a great job of demonstrating the intrinsic qualities of their community and making available the key data on workforce, training assets, properties, incentives, geographic advantage and more. This is a great Kentucky asset and demonstrates the quality of life and economic advantages in our Commonwealth,” Matt Tackett, KAED

The Ohio County Economic Development Alliance was determined to improve its ability to market itself both within the region, as well as to site selectors, corporate officers and business owners in any and all locations. One of the cornerstone components we used to accomplish this initiative was to develop a newer, more comprehensive and more compelling online presence.

“The winners of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the best of economic development and exemplify the leadership that our profession strives for every day,” said 2021 IEDC Board Chair and Invest Buffalo Niagara, President and CEO Tom Kucharski. “We’re honored to recognize the more than 100 communities whose marketing submissions, projects and partnerships have improved regional quality of life.”

We’re incredibly honored to recognize the outstanding organizations that received this year’s Excellence Awards. This year, more than ever, has presented opportunities to innovate, impact, and progress the cities, neighborhoods and communities around us. Each of this year’s recipients represents the best of the economic development profession and exemplifies the ingenuity for fellow economic developers to aspire to in the years to come.