The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) announces that the Gilbert, Arizona Office of Economic Development has once again been recognized as one of 57 economic development organizations accredited by IEDC as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO). Originally accredited in May 2013, Gilbert, AZ was reaccredited by the IEDC following four successful years of activity, productivity and operational excellence.
“The Gilbert, Arizona Office of Economic Development displays the professionalism, commitment, and technical expertise that is deserving of this honor,” said IEDC President and CEO Jeff Finkle.
The Gilbert, AZ Office of Economic Development was the 37th organization and the second municipality in the nation to earn this accreditation. As the first and only accredited economic development organization in Arizona, Gilbert, AZ has set a standard for other municipal economic development organizations across the state.
The AEDO program is a comprehensive peer review process that measures economic development organizations against international standards in the profession. The accreditation consists of two phases: a documentation review and an onsite visit. Each phase is designed to evaluate information about the structure, organization, operations, funding, program offerings, and staff of the economic development organization seeking accreditation.
Earning the AEDO accreditation assures the community and the development community that the Gilbert Office of Economic Development attained the highest measure of excellence in the profession and assures clients and stakeholders that they will receive a high standard of ethical behavior and professionalism.
“The accreditation process measures our office against the best in the business,” said Dan Henderson, Director of the Gilbert Office of Economic Development. “To earn the accredited designation and now reaccreditation through a peer review from international economic development leaders and practitioners is a tremendous honor. This reaccreditation offers reassurance that Gilbert, AZ remains best in class in all economic development lines of service.”
Maintenance of the AEDO status is required every three years and is accomplished through documentation submission and/or on-site visits by a team of the AEDO Committee. For more information, please visit http://www.iedconline.org/index.php.
