This program allows communities to enter their projects into a competition to measure their entries against other communities in the follow programs:
Business Development
Recognizes marketing initiatives created to promote business development in Ontario. Products recognized include publications, advertising and technology.
Tourism
Recognizes marketing initiatives developed to promote tourism in Ontario. Products recognized include publications, advertising and technology in the tourism sector.
Product Development
Recognizes creative forms of improving municipalities’ competitiveness. Awards are presented to organizations that have developed leading edge/innovative marketing programs, or designed and implemented new initiatives or best practices to foster economic growth. This category includes initiatives related to physical infrastructure, redevelopment initiatives, workforce development and business retention and expansion.
Entries are accepted online in the fall and are announced during the annual conference at the President’s Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony.
Award winners in each category are eligible to receive the Lieutenant-Governors’ Best of Show Award for outstanding effort in economic development.
Joseph Montgomery Economic Development Achievement Award
Celebrating one of the founding members of EDCO, the Joseph Montgomery Economic Development Achievement Award was created in 2010 and is awarded at the discretion of a selection committee upon receipt of nomination packages received. Criteria for the award includes innovative contributions to EDCO and the economic development profession that go above and beyond.
Past winners include:
2010- Bruce Strapp, President and CEO, Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation
2011 – Neil Everson, Ec.D - Executive Director, Business Development, City of Hamilton
EDCO Community Leadership Award
2012 will see the presentation of the first EDCO Community Leadership Award. This award will celebrate the excellence of elected officials and their support for the economic development mandate within their community.
Criteria include recognition of an organized economic development function within the community and their support for economic development programming.
Call for nominations are released to EDCO members in early fall of each year.