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.”
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. TheLee County Fiber project will serve 134 previously unserved Lee County addresses. There dundant fiber ring has helped make another $20 million of outside investment possible to serve another 1500 or more Lee County addresses with fiber.
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.