Asheville Chamber earns accreditation from International Economic Development Council

Press release from The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce:

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce announced today its economic development department has earned recognition as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This accreditation places the Asheville Chamber’s economic development team among an elite group of 50 economic development entities in the world recognized as the best of the best and models of achievement in the economic development field. The IEDC accreditation process consists of two phases, a documentation review and site team visit, designed to assess four critical areas of the organization: mission and strategic plan, staff, funding, and relationships with community stakeholders. Evaluated by veteran economic developers, an accredited EDO’s structure and practices must pass benchmarks of the highest level of professional excellence and become re-certified every three years. “I am thrilled to congratulate the EDC of Asheville-Buncombe County on becoming the 50th member of IEDC’s AEDO program. The EDC is an outstanding organization that displays the professionalism, commitment, and technical expertise deserving of this honor. Executive Director Ben Teague and his team have worked tirelessly to improve the local economy for residents, and the organization has a strong track record of success,” said Jeff Finkle, CEcD, President & CEO of the International Economic Development Council. The Economic Development Coalition’s current strategic plan, AVL 5×5: Vision 2020, aims to create 3,000 new direct jobs paying an average annual wage of $50,000, attract $650 million in new capital investment, and facilitate 50 new “high-growth” companies in Asheville that raise $10 million in equity investment. The EDC is funded and supported by the City of Asheville, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, and more than 80 private investors. The IEDC accreditation enters the Asheville Chamber’s EDO into a distinguished network, including Invest Atlanta, the Greater Houston Partnership, and The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County’s ED Partnership. It’s only the second EDO in North Carolina to achieve the accreditation, along with Cabarrus Economic Development in Kannapolis. An AEDO recognition elevates the credibility of the Chamber’s economic development organization for its stakeholders, local public officials, investors, and business leaders. “We are honored to achieve such a prestigious accreditation. This recognition is a testament to the level of talent on the EDC team,” said Ben Teague, the EDC’s Executive Director and COO of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. “I am so proud of their daily efforts to help create a better future for our community.” “I’m so proud of what the EDC has accomplished. The health of our economy and the future of our region depends on smart and innovative economic development. As Chairman of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, I am thrilled to support the EDC’s outstanding efforts in creating thousands of good paying jobs for our residents and their families,” commented David Gantt, Chairman of the Buncombe County Commissioners. “The Asheville area is a national leader in best practices for economic development. The EDC and its AVL 5×5 plan is a strong and effective partnership that positions our city to attract more high quality, high wage jobs in advanced industries, which is key to a sustainable, healthy economy,” said Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer. “The International Economic Development Council’s accreditation places the EDC in the top one percent of the world’s best economic-development organizations,” said Taylor Foss, EDC Chair and SVP, Organizational Transformation at Mission Health. “This is one of the most talented, effective teams I’ve ever worked with, and this peer-voted approval reinforces the Board’s great confidence in their leadership.”