The Ontario Economic Development Awards took place on Thursday, February 3rd at the Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre Hotel. The Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation (GPA EDC) took top honours in the Strategic Plan category for their 2010-2014 Greater Peterborough Area Strategic Plan. The Awards of Marketing Excellence honour winners and honourable mentions for their efforts in promoting their communities for location and tourism opportunities. Economic Development initiatives are also judged as part of the process.
“This year, over 146 entries were judged” stated 2011 EDCO President Kathy Weiss. “The competition allows local communities to see just how their economic development initiatives compare to other municipalities when it comes to promoting location, investment & tourism opportunities”
Expert judges reviewed all of the entries that covered everything from promotional brochures to infrastructure development projects. There are judges from specialized areas of expertise assigned to judge specific categories.
The 2010-2014 Greater Peterborough Area Strategic Plan was graphically designed and printed by local marketing/communications company, Lazer Graphics. Representatives from Lazer Graphics as well as the GPA EDC attended the event to accept the award which was designed and produced at Bravo Awards, also of Peterborough.
“We’re extremely proud of this accomplishment,” stated Laurianne Gruzas, Chair of the GPA EDC Board of Directors. “This was truly a community effort. Economic development stakeholders, community leaders and citizens as well as business persons and local government officials all helped to compile the information needed to make this document comprehensive. This award exemplifies the great work being done by the GPA EDC as well as local companies such as Lazer Graphics and Bravo Awards.”
EDCO is the country’s largest provincial economic development association that offers this program as well as professional development opportunities throughout the year. Membership is close to 600 that come from the private and public sector.
