KEDC Earns Coveted Gold Award, Staff Recognized for Excellence in Economic Development by IEDC

KERRVILLE, Texas (September 27, 2023) – The Kerr Economic Development Corporation received the 2023 Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award for its work in the Child Care Initiative, an local grass-roots effort and strategy to address workforce challenges in the Kerrville region.

The award is given to one economic development organization in the nation by the International Economic Development Council. Katie Milton Jordan, the KEDC’s Manager of Business Retention & Expansion, accepted the award at the IEDC Annual Conference in Dallas last week.

"Kerr EDC has raised the bar for excellence in economic development with its Child Care Working Group project. This award is a testament to Kerr EDC’s dedication to its residents and serves as a great example of how economic development can help transform a community for the better," said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO.

“It is IEDC’s honor and privilege to present Kerr EDC with this award and recognize its leadership and innovation in the field of economic development,” he added.

The award was bestowed specifically for the organization’s work in the Innovative Programs & Initiatives category for their Childcare Working Group actively working to provide creative and sustainable solutions to Kerr County’s child care shortages that impacted roughly 53k residents.

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.

“Child care challenges in Kerr Country are complex and multi-layered. We view this award as positive feedback that we’re on the right path to creative and sustainable change for working families in Kerr County. We are grateful for the community leaders who have come alongside this initiative to impact positive change”, Milton Jordan said.

Kerr EDC Chairman, Todd Bock, says of the initiative, “We are very blessed to have had the support from the City Of Kerrville, Kerr County, Kerrville Chamber Of Commerce, KISD, KPUB, Kroc Center, Peterson Regional, Community Foundation, and a very special Thank You to Julie Beherns who represents the local community Childcare Providers.”

**About Kerr Economic Development Corporation**

The Kerr Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) is an economic and business league located in the heart of Hill Country, a part of the San Antonio-Austin business corridor. The KEDC implements strategies for business and corporate growth in an array of sectors which are tied to the 2050 “Your Voice-Your City” comprehensive plan. The focus of the organization is to foster the community’s growth through corporate recruitment, workforce development and maintaining the cultural vibrancy of the Texas Hill Country. For more information, visit kerredc.com.

**About the International Economic Development Council**

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in the full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at iedconline.org