NCEDA supports the advancement of outstanding economic development practitioners with our annual award recognition.
The nomination period is now open for the new NCEDA Lifetime Service Award. This recognition honors members prior to retirement who have gone above and beyond for the association during their economic development careers. The Lifetime Service Award recipients will be selected by the NCEDA Board of Directors and will be announced on October 3 at the Fall Conference. Click HERE to view the nomination form. The nomination deadline is September 16.
NCEDA also offers numerous other awards that are announced at the Annual Conference each year in June. The 2023 Award Nomination Period will open April 3, 2023 and nomination forms will be posted here. The list of NCEDA awards given at the Annual Conference are listed below.
Economic Developer of the Year
This award recognizes an NCEDA member who is making significant and measurable contributions to their local community and the North Carolina economic development community as a whole. The nominee should demonstrate leadership, excellence, creativity and show initiative with work-related professional accomplishments.
See our current honoree and list of previous recipients.
Emerging Leader of the Year
This award recognizes an NCEDA member emerging leader who is making significant and measurable contributions to their local community and the North Carolina economic development community as a whole. The nominee should demonstrate leadership, excellence, creativity and show initiative with work-related professional accomplishments.
See our current honoree and list of previous recipients.
Deal of the Year
This new award will recognize up to three NCEDA members from three different sized communities who achieved a significant project. This award will allow opportunities for nominators to recognize the primary recipient, but also supporting team members, organizations and/or private sector allies that played a critical role in a specific deal. This award will help NCEDA recognize developers achieving significant deals in communities with varying sizes, character and target markets.
See our current honorees.
Innovator of the Year
This new award will recognize an NCEDA member for their leadership on a unique and impactful state, regional or local initiative designed to overcome a specific challenge or capitalize on an opportunity relevant to the economic development field. Examples, among other ideas, could include the development of a creative product development initiative, workforce development collaboration, a new talent attraction effort or unique business, retention and expansion program that had a measurable impact on the local, regional or state economy. Nominations are allowed a 3-year period from the launch date of the innovation to submit for consideration in order to demonstrate success.
See our current honorees.
Career Achievement Award
NCEDA periodically recognizes an outstanding member of the association to recognize their career achievement in economic development.
See our current honoree and previous recipients.
President’s Award
NCEDA’s current Board President has the opportunity to recognize an outstanding member for career-long support of North Carolina’s economic development community.
See our current honoree and previous recipients.
Legislator of the Year
NCEDA periodically recognizes members of the North Carolina Senate and North Carolina House of Representatives in recognition for their exceptional support for the state’s economic development efforts.
See our honorees.