Bend, OR – At the Oregon Garden Resort in Silverton, Oregon Economic Development Association (OEDA) presented their 2008 Awards of Excellence in Economic & Community Development last week. The purpose of the Awards of Excellence is to recognize exceptional and innovative economic development efforts in the State of Oregon in these categories:
- Outstanding Collaborative Partnerships
- Rural Community Revitalization
- Business Development Success Story
- Economic Development Marketing, and
- Economic Development Leader of the Year
The Economic Development Leader of the Year recognizes a professional who has attained outstanding achievement and who has consistently supported the vision and goals of local and state economic development. The 2008 award was presented to Edward "Bud" Prince, who has served as the Manager of Redmond Economic Development since 2003, and announced earlier this year that he would be retiring.
Prince brought a wealth of business, community and economic development experience to the position, including a 24-year career with Pacific Power. He facilitated an unprecedented period of industrial and economic growth in the community. Key successes over a five year period include:
- Recruitment of eleven new companies in a variety of industries.
- Playing a key role in more than thirteen expansion projects for local companies.
- Results that encompass more than 1,131 new jobs for the community, representing over one million square feet added and $100M in total capital investment.
- Redmond Enterprise Zone's value of capital the total of qualified investments more than doubled that of the preceding 12 years.
On a more personal note, Prince was honored for the outstanding leadership by example for his colleagues, clients and partners in the community, and effective relationship-building skills. OEDA noted that Prince’s talent for bringing together different groups and people with differing viewpoints for common solutions, produced results for Redmond as a community. Prince was further commended for his “common sense counsel and clear-headed perspective.”
About Economic Development for Central Oregon
Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is a private non-profit corporation founded 26 years ago and dedicated to building a vibrant and thriving regional economy by attracting new investment and traded-sector jobs (manufacturing, professional, headquarters and high technology businesses) through marketing, recruitment and substantive assistance to existing companies. Learn more about EDCO at www.edcoinfo.com.
About OEDA
The Oregon Economic Development Association (OEDA) is a statewide non-profit organization working to support economic development professionals who are on Oregon's front line in diversifying and expanding Oregon's economy. Learn more about OEDA at www.oeda.biz and more about the Annual Awards of Excellence.
Press Contact:
Ruth Lindley, Marketing Manager
Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO)
541-388-3236