LCEDG gets gold award from international group

MONTROSE – Lee County Economic Development Group received a 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Lee County EDG was named the economic development organization of the year in the 25,000 – 200,000 population categories.
"Lee County Economic Development Group is setting the standard of excellence for economic development with its organizational excellence. This award highlights Lee County EDG's commitment to its community and demonstrates the transformative impact of economic development," said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President, and CEO. "It is with great pride that IEDC presents this award to Lee County Economic Development Group, celebrating their leadership and innovation in the field of economic development."
"This award is a testament to the hard work and innovative approach to economic development taken by the Lee County Economic Development Group staff and board of directors," said Jason Hutcheson, chair of the Lee County EDG board of directors.
"Economic Development is a team sport, and the Lee County Economic Development Group is pleased to share this award with our investors, stakeholders, and the people of Lee County," said Dennis Fraise, President and CEO of Lee County EDG. "Our organization strives for organizational excellence and works tirelessly to promote and enhance opportunities in Lee County."
Lee County Economic Development Group received a 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award for innovative financing for the Lee County fiber project from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in the 25,000 – 200,000 population categories.
The Lee County Fiber Project is a unique coalition led by Southeast Iowa Regional Planning. Key partners include the Lee County Economic Development Group, Southeast Iowa Regional and Economic Port Authority, the Lee County Board of Supervisors, and Danville Telecom. The $5.4 million project will create a 14-mile fiber backbone, including a redundant fiber loop. The Lee County Fiber project will serve 134 previously unserved Lee County addresses. The redundant fiber ring has helped make another $20 million of outside investment possible to serve another 1500 or more Lee County addresses with fiber.
"This is the very first time an Iowa port authority has financed an infrastructure project. The combination of local government, private enterprise, and the port authority led to outstanding results and a generational impact. We didn't think outside the box. We imagined there was no box," said Mike Norris, Executive Director of Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission.
"Danville Mutual Telephone Company was fortunate to be a part of the fiber-optic broadband expansion project in Lee County, Iowa. Through a strategic partnership between ourselves, the Lee County Economic Development Group, the Lee County Board of Supervisors, and the Southeast Iowa Regional Economic & Port Authority, we were able to create a dependable, redundant fiber backbone throughout the county, reaching more than 100 locations that were previously unserved or underserved. This project allows for future expansion into even more areas in need of fast, reliable broadband." said Tim Fencl, CEO, Danville Telecom.
Lee County Board of Supervisor Chairman Garry Seyb, Jr. said he was excited to see what he said would be a significant step forward in broadband access and redundancy in Lee County.
Lee County Economic Development Group will be acknowledged and honored at the IEDC 2024 Annual Conference in Denver, CO, September 15-18.
Every year, IEDC looks specifically for economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development.
About the Lee County Economic Development Group:
The Lee County Economic Development Group is a public-private partnership supported by the Lee County Board of Supervisors, the Cities of Fort Madison and Keokuk, and over 50 private investors. The Lee County Economic Development Group is dedicated to improving the economic well-being of Lee County by attracting new businesses, supporting existing ones, and creating an environment where businesses and communities can thrive.
About the International Economic Development Council:
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC's members engage in the full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When IEDC succeeds, its members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at www.iedconline.org today.