The Arizona Association for Economic Development has just announced José Contreras, a City of Glendale employee, as the winner of the Emerging Economic Developer of the Year award. The accolade was presented during the annual EDDE Awards at the Spring Conference on April 24, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona, recognizing Contreras' significant contributions to the city’s economic growth and development.
Contreras, who is the Business Attraction Program Manager for Glendale’s Office of Economic Development, has been working tirelessly to seemingly draw new businesses into the area. Since he joined the office in early 2024, he's not only focused on business attraction but has also been instrumental in implementing new tools like an internal GIS system that has helped to streamline site planning. A recent accolade adds to his growing list of accomplishments, which includes working towards his AZED Pro certification and being selected for the Emerging Leaders cohort.
As per a statement released by the City of Glendale, the Emerging Economic Developer of the Year award is not just about recognizing an individual’s economic impact; it also considers their ability to build robust relationships, their creativity and innovation, as well as their efforts to uplift and empower future generations in the field of economic development.
In response to the honor, Contreras was quoted saying, "Being recognized by peers in the industry is an incredible honor, and I’m deeply grateful to work alongside such talented and passionate professionals," as noted by the City of Glendale. He is clearly looking forward to vigorously continuing his service and contributions to the community. Contreras has also made headlines for being featured in AZ Big Media’s 'The Road to the Future' supplement published in late 2024.
