Three Roanoke Economic Development Organizations Accredited by the International Economic Development Council

                                                                                     PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Toby Rittner

Director of Legislative Affairs

202-942-9489

Local Contact:

Doug Chittum, Roanoke Co. Economic Development Director

(540) 772-2070

(July 19, 2004)  (Washington, DC) – The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is proud to announce that the Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership, Roanoke County Economic Development Department and the City of Roanoke Department of Economic Development have each been recognized as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO).

The three organizations are among 26 organizations throughout North America to receive the AEDO honor. This is the first time, however, that three organizations from the same community have received this distinguished accreditation. “The Roanoke economic development community displays the professionalism, commitment, and technical expertise that is deserving of this honor,” IEDC President and CEO, Jeffrey Finkle said.

The AEDO program is a comprehensive peer review process that measures economic development organizations against commonly held standards in the profession. The program consists of two phases: documentation review and an onsite visit. Each phase is designed to evaluate information about the structure, organization, funding, program, and staff of the candidate economic development organization. All three Roanoke Valley organizations prepared comprehensive applications and hosted site team visits over the past several months.

“This certification serves to reinforce what we all know: that economic development is being done on a superior level in the Roanoke region,” G. Michael Pace, Jr., president of the Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership board of directors stated.  “The entire region should take pride in the fact that the Partnership, as well as the City of Roanoke and Roanoke County are among the first in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States to achieve this status.”

Earning the AEDO accreditation tells the community and business prospects that these organizations have attained a measure of excellence assuring that their trust is well-placed and their business is in good hands.

"This indeed is a wonderful recognition for the City of Roanoke and our economic development staff in our ongoing pursuit of excellence," City Manager Darlene L. Burcham commented. "I believe it clearly demonstrates the commitment of the city, the county and the region to work together for the very best future for our citizens."

"The recent accreditation of Roanoke County's Economic Development Department is yet another extraordinary accomplishment for this successful team of professionals.  I am especially pleased that we can contribute positively to the broader based Regional Economic Development effort as well," Elmer Hodge, Roanoke County Administrator explained.

Maintenance of the AEDO status is required every three years and is accomplished through documentation submission and/or onsite visits by a team of the AEDO Board.

The International Economic Development Council is the largest membership association serving economic and community development professionals in North America. With over 4,000 members nationwide and abroad, IEDC offers the economic development profession one source for information and professional development, one voice for the profession and one force for advocacy. For more information on IEDC or the AEDO program, call IEDC at 202.223.780 or visit IEDC’s Web site at www.iedconline.org.

Roanoke County Staff and Officials Pictured Above:

Roanoke County Economic Development Director Doug Chittum holds the plaque presented to Roanoke County at the accreditation ceremony. Chittum is accompanied by from left to right: Assistant Economic Development Director Jill Loope; Economic Development Specialist Joe Zielinski; Vinton Supervisor Mike Altizer; County Administrator Elmer Hodge; Economic Development Administrative Assistant Terrie Cochran; and Existing Business Program Manager Melinda Cox.