August 13, 2024 – Washington, DC – The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) announces that the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB) has once again been recognized as one of 81 economic development organizations accredited by IEDC as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO). Originally accredited in 2007, the organization was reaccredited by IEDC following 17 successful years of activity as an AEDO member.
BDB Achieves Reaccreditation from IEDC
“The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County displays the professionalism, commitment, and technical expertise that is deserving of this honor”, said IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle.
The AEDO program is a comprehensive peer review process that measures economic development organizations against commonly held standards in the profession. The program consists of two phases: a documentation review and an onsite visit. Each phase is designed to evaluate information about the structure, organization, funding, program, and staff of the candidate economic development organization.
“AEDO certification is a testament to our commitment to excellence in economic development. It not only validates our strategic efforts and professional standards but also enhances our credibility and trust with stakeholders. This recognition ensures that we are continually improving and adapting best practices to drive sustainable growth and prosperity in our community,” stated Kelly Smallridge, President and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County.
What This Accreditation Means for Palm Beach County
Maintenance of the AEDO status is required every three years and is accomplished through documentation submission and/or onsite visits by a team of the AEDO subcommittee.
The International Economic Development Council is the largest membership association serving economic and community development professionals in the world. With over 5,000 members nationwide and abroad, IEDC offers the economic development profession one source for information and professional development, one voice for the profession and one force for advocacy. For more information on the AEDO program, please contact AEDO Program Manager Dana Crater at 910-821-9245 or dcrater @iedconline.org, or visit IEDC’s website at http://www.iedconline.org/AEDO.
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About the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County:
The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB) serves as the county’s official public/private economic development organization. Established in 1982, the BDB is dedicated to attracting and retaining industries, fostering business investments, creating high-quality jobs, and supporting workforce development through corporate relocations, expansions, and international trade initiatives. Over the past five years, the BDB has supported more than 140 companies, contributing to the creation or retention of over 13,110 direct jobs with average salaries exceeding $80,000 per year. These efforts have driven more than $1.12 billion in capital investments into Palm Beach County.
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