JEDCO achieves reaccreditation through the International Economic Development Council

(AVONDALE, LA) – The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) is pleased to announce its inclusion on a list of premier international economic development organizations once again. The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) recently recognized JEDCO as an Accredited Economic Development Organization. Originally accredited in 2008, JEDCO achieved reaccreditation by IEDC following 10 successful years of activity as an AEDO member. This prestigious designation is shared by only 62 economic development organizations across North America.

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: a 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.

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

In recent years, JEDCO has facilitated the purchase of the iconic Avondale Shipyard, supported the Ochsner Health System expansion along Jefferson Highway, retained US Foods, and attracted major international companies such as Sleep Number, Dyno Nobel and Fuji Vegetable Oils to Jefferson Parish – just to name a few major projects. Additionally, JEDCO completed a master plan for the Churchill Technology & Business Park, launched the Jefferson Technology Alliance to support the local tech industry, developed a Façade Improvement Program to stimulate economic activity in key areas, and supported the Neighborhood Revitalization Pilot Program in Terrytown alongside the Jefferson Parish Council and Administration. The organization continues to launch new initiatives and opportunities for business growth and advancement regularly.

“JEDCO displays the professionalism, commitment, and technical expertise that is deserving of this honor”, said IEDC President and CEO Jeff Finkle.

JEDCO was the first economic development organization in Louisiana to achieve accreditation through the IEDC back in 2008.  Today, it shares the recognition with three other economic development organizations across the state: Louisiana Economic Development (LED), New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) and the North Louisiana Economic Partnership.

“This prestigious designation identifies organizations as leaders in the economic development industry, lending credibility to our operations, initiatives, and activities,” said JEDCO President & CEO Jerry Bologna. “Being AEDO certified allows us to promote ourselves as a best-practices agency and provides our clients with the next level of trust. All of this sets AEDO organizations apart and makes our community more competitive. We are grateful to maintain this prestigious recognition once again.”

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 subcommittee.

About IEDC: The International Economic Development Council is the largest membership association serving economic and community development professionals in the world. With over 5,000 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, please contact AEDO Program Manager Dana Crater at 910-833-7020 or dcrater@iedconline.org, or visit IEDC’s website at http://www.iedconline.org/AEDO.

ABOUT JEDCO: The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) is the economic development organization for the parish with the main objective of attracting, growing, and creating new business in the area. JEDCO’s mission is to proactively influence the economy through the retention and creation of quality jobs, entrepreneurship, and investment in Jefferson Parish. Located in the growing Churchill Technology & Business Park, JEDCO is home to a business incubator for early-stage ventures and it also operates a state-of-the-art Conference Center. For more information, visit www.jedco.org.