The City of Mesa Office of Economic Development has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award, according to a recent announcement by the City of Mesa. The accolade was given by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in recognition of Mesa's innovative Mesa Business Builder (MBB) Program, an initiative that significantly supports small business growth and entrepreneurship within the community.
This year's IEDC award places a spotlight on Mesa for its efforts to actively foster an atmosphere where local businesses can not only establish but also steadily expand. The Mesa Business Builder Program, which was designed to offer a comprehensive suite of services and programs to assist entrepreneurs, seems to have effectively met this mandate, leading to Mesa's OED to be singularly acknowledged at the upcoming IEDC 2024 Annual Conference this September in Denver.
Mesa Mayor John Giles held pride in the city's economic team for constructing the MBB Program and the "results the program has achieved in Mesa," while Mesa Economic Development Director Jaye O’Donnell was quoted by the report expressing her pleasure over the work accomplished by her team. The Mesa Business Builder Program has reportedly aided hundreds of local businesses and entrepreneurs, emphasizing the program's significant impact on economic vitality in Mesa.
Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO, lauded the City of Mesa Office of Economic Development, noting that "This award highlights the Office of Economic Development’s commitment to its community and demonstrates the transformative impact of economic development." In a similar vein, Kevin Kramer, Chair of IEDC's Excellence in Economic Development Awards Advisory Committee, praised the city's efforts, indicating the program's role in setting a lasting positive change for residents of Mesa.
The IEDC's Excellence in Economic Development Awards are designed to honor the best of the best in the economic development field every year. They specifically recognize organizations, entities, and programs that have shown exemplary performance and have significantly contributed to the revitalization of communities and shaping the economic development profession.
