The Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) is pleased to announce it has awarded its 2020 Community Economic Development Awards (CEDA), recognizing a multi-faceted collaboration between Pittsylvania County, Danville, and the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, that resulted in a regional resurgence of new jobs and investments.
The CEDA awards are designed to recognize outstanding communities in the Commonwealth for efforts in advancing economic viability through economic and community development programs. Entries are judged on factors that include innovativeness, transferability, community commitment, and the benefits derived for each.
There were nine total CEDA entries this year.
VEDA will submit the two winning entries to the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) for consideration it its similar award program that takes place later this year.
"Each year, we enjoy taking the time to recognize and reflect on the outstanding work of economic developers across Virginia and to honor those who dedicate their careers to making our communities thrive," said Bedford County Economic Development Director Traci Blido, chair of VEDA's CEDA awards committee. "Those communities being recognized are effectively using multiple tools in the economic development toolkit to bring in new jobs and investment in Virginia, and others can learn from their best practices."
Pittsylvania County, Danville, and the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance were jointly recognized for their efforts to build on a long-term plan to regain jobs and investment in the region. This team of economic developers maximized resources and worked together to lay the framework for collaboration, backed by regional agreements, creative financing and aggressive incentives. As a result, the region has been able to land new deals and deliver workforce programs to serve new and existing industry. New projects to the region include Porcher Industries (BGF Industries), Harlow, Gefertec, Morgan Olson, and Aerofarms.
VEDA is a member-based professional association committed to providing training and development; networking opportunities; and serving as the voice of the economic development community, creating economic opportunity and prosperity for the Commonwealth of Virginia. VEDA's members is comprised of more than 520 economic development professionals and related industry professionals from across the Commonwealth of Virginia. For more information about VEDA visit the website at www.GoVEDA.org.
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