Greater Conroe Economic Development Council Reaccredited by International Economic Development Council

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) announced that the Greater Conroe Economic Development Council (GCEDC) has been recognized as one of 44 economic development organizations accredited by IEDC in 2015 as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO). Originally accredited in 2001, and the first accredited in the greater Houston region, the Greater Conroe organization was reaccredited by IEDC following 14 successful years of activity as an AEDO member.

“The Greater Conroe Economic Development Council displays the professionalism, commitment, and technical expertise that is deserving of this honor,” said IEDC President and CEO Jeff Finkle.

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. Maintenance of the AEDO status is required every three years.

“We are thrilled and honored to earn IEDC’s reaccreditation,” said GCEDC Executive Director Fred Welch. “Our staff works extremely hard to meet the standards required to be an AEDO. We look forward to continuing to meet those standards and serving the Conroe business community.”

Earning the AEDO accreditation tells the community and new business prospects that the Greater Conroe Economic Development Council attained a measure of excellence assuring that their trust is well placed and their business is in good hands. There are three AEDO’s in the Houston region, Greater Conroe EDC, Greater Houston Partnership and CenterPoint Energy. “The economic development professionals on staff at the GCEDC have been a critical force in driving business to Conroe. This reaccreditation is another step in promising that the local economy will continue to thrive under the watchful eye of the GCEDC,” noted Chair of the GCEDC Board, Steve Pilgrim of Entergy Corporation.

About International Economic Development Council

The International Economic Development Council is the largest membership association serving economic and community development professionals in the world. With over 4,500 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 Tye Libby at (202) 942-9450 or tlibby@iedconline.org, or visit IEDC’s website at http://www.iedconline.org/AEDO.