LVEDC has once again been recognized as an accredited economic development organization by the IEDC. Picture (respectively) are LVEDC Director of Business Outreach Melody Bradford, Director of Marketing Michael Keller, and Director of Redevelopment and External Affairs Andrew Kleiner.

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) has once again been recognized as an accredited economic development organization by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

This marks the third consecutive time LVEDC has received this accreditation. The organization was first accredited on Sept. 28, 2010, and reaccreditation occur every three years.

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

LVEDC is one of only 58 economic development organizations accredited by IEDC.

“LVEDC is committed to operating at the highest level, and this accreditation recognizes our standards and our professionalism,” said LVEDC President and CEO Don Cunningham. “While accreditation doesn’t get the job done, it showcases to our stakeholders and peers our commitment to excellence.”

Jane Long, chair of the LVEDC Board of Directors, said: “This re-accreditation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Don Cunningham and the LVEDC staff, as well as the commitment of the board of directors. This recognition affirms to the world something we here in the Lehigh Valley already know: the widely-respected level of expertise that LVEDC brings to promoting the economic assets of the Lehigh Valley.”

The AEDO program is a comprehensive peer review process that measures economic development organizations against commonly held standards in the profession, according to Finkle.

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.

Finkle said earning the AEDO accreditation tells the community and prospects that LVEDC has attained a measure of excellence, assuring that their trust is well placed and their business is in good hands.

IEDC 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

https://www.iedconline.org/index.php

.