Lenawee Now won a Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award for its Partnership to Promote the Impact of Economic Development in Lenawee County, a project in the category of Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Single Event of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
In 2017, Lenawee County, in partnership with Lenawee Now, created an educational campaign to inform voters about the impact of services through the ballot proposal to renew the separate tax limitations in Lenawee County. Unmandated services funded by the county, including economic development efforts, were at risk of being severely reduced or even eliminated without the renewal.
With the help of marketing agency, Hoyden Creative, a campaign was created as a collaborative effort between Lenawee County and Lenawee Now to educate the public on the programs and services offered in the county that contribute to economic development and quality of life for residents. Passage of the ballot proposal would ensure the continuation of important programs and services throughout Lenawee County to attract employers, investors, and new families.
“We were thrilled when this millage renewal was approved in November 2017,” said Lenawee Now Executive Director, Jim Van Doren, “and now to have this collaborative effort recognized on an international level drives home the impact of all the hard work on behalf of Lenawee County.”
“The efforts put into the election were a significant step in the right direction to educate the community on the impact of economic development. Now it’s our job to take this momentum and give them something tangible,” says Tim Robinson, Director of Operations for Lenawee Now. “Receiving this award will hopefully provide the residents of Lenawee County an extra layer of confidence that their vote of approval will work in their favor.”
Lenawee Now is a public-private partnership dedicated to economic and business expansion throughout Lenawee County. By attracting new businesses, helping to grow established businesses, and supporting entrepreneurial endeavors in Lenawee, Lenawee Now is creating an economically viable and vibrant region. In addition to business attraction, retention and start-up activities, Lenawee Now provides critical services to support business growth including access to funding sources and talent enhancement.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is the world’s largest membership organization for economic development professionals. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life in their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, our members represent the entire range of economic development. Learn more at IEDCOnline.org.