FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: May 7, 2024

Contact: Joanie Griffin, jgriffin@sunny505.com, 505-261-4444

Economic Development Week is May 6-10, 2024

Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance celebrates its heroes and promotes the importance and impact of the economic development profession all week, along with economic development organizations nationally and globally

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) May 7, 2024 – Put on the party hats and hang the streamers, AREA and economic developers across New Mexico, the US and the globe are celebrating Economic Develoment Week from May 6-10.

“As the local and regional economies evolve, the economic development profession must remain agile and responsive to change. The expertise of dedicated economic development professionals and organizations is vital in cultivating sustainable growth and prosperity,” said IEDC President & CEO Nathan Ohle. “This year’s Economic Development Week will showcase innovative community leadership driving collaboration and creating opportunities in their communities. I hope our communities and economic developers around the world will join us in celebrating the accomplishments of a profession full of passionate changemakers and community builders.”

The IEDC created Economic Development Week in 2016 to recognize the work that economic development organizations and professionals do in their communities. IEDC celebrates Economic Development Week every year, highlighting the programs, best practices and exceptional individuals that positively impact life in their communities. In just a few years the event has become one of the most widely recognized awareness weeks of its kind validating the often unheralded work of the economic development profession.

“Economic Development Week is a crucial time to reflect on our collective achievements and to highlight the work being done at the international, national, state and local levels to enhance quality of life for all through economic development strategies and programs,” said Danielle Casey, President & CEO of Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance, and Secretary/Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the International Economic Development Council. She added,”Not only is it a way to celebrate, it is also an opportunity to educate community partners on the economic development practice and the role it’s dedicated career professionals play in their communities on a daily basis.”

This year’s Economic Development Week celebrates Economic Development Heroes, spotlighting economic developers who are pioneers in their communities.

AREA is proud this week to have the opportunity to celebrate our organizational leaders. One example is a local celebration occurring Friday, May 10, when the Urban Land Institute will bestow long-time AREA leader and current Chair of its Competitiveness Advisory Council Dale Dekker with the prestigious John Myers Award for his regional contributions.

Another cause to cheer is for AREA’s Senior Vice President Chad Matheson, who recently graduated from Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute (OU EDI). OU EDI is an executive development certificate program that has been the primary professional training program for those in the business of economic development since its creation. Established in 1962, it is the only professional-level program of its type in the U.S., providind professional economic development professionals with up-to-date knowledge and tools necessary to succeed in today’s constantly-changing economic development marketplace.

AREA’s Senior Vice President Chad Matheson recieving his Econ Dev Certification.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please follow AREA’s social media channels for regular updates and video testimonials online all week from local economic development Heroes like Dale and Chad, and from our association professional partner representing economic developers across New Mexico, New Mexico IDEA.

For more information on AREA’s staff, leadership, Advisory Councils, strategic plan, or various tools available to support the greater Albuquerque region, visit www.abq.org. To keep in the know all week long on activities far and wide, follow #econdevweek on your social media channels.

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About Economic Development Week

The IEDC created Economic Development Week in 2016 to recognize the work that economic development organizations and professionals do in their communities. IEDC celebrates Economic Development Week every year, highlighting the programs, best practices and exceptional individuals that positively impact life in their communities. In just a few years the event has become one of the most widely recognized awareness weeks of its kind validating the, often unheralded, work of the economic development profession.  Learn more about Economic Development Week at www.iedconline.org/EDW.

About the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization serving economic developers. With thousands of members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers typically work for cities, counties, states, public-private partnerships, and chambers of commerce to promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding high-quality 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 work to develop vibrant communities.

About AREA

The Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead and execute strategies designed to grow and diversify the economic base of the greater Albuquerque region, creating a prosperous, diverse and inclusive economy and elevating the standard of living for all. AREA provides confidential assistance to businesses considering the area for expansion and new investment. Since its creation in 1960, AREA has recruited more than 250 companies and more than 35,000 jobs to the Albuquerque metro area. AREA also provides retention and expansion assistance to existing industry. For more information, visit ABQ.org.

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