PRESS RELEASE: DAEDF Receives EDO of the Year Gold Award from IEDC

September 29, 2023

Duncan, Oklahoma – Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation (DAEDF) received a 2023 Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The award was bestowed specifically for the organization’s work in the Economic Development Organization (EDO) of the Year category for communities with less than 25,000 residents. Lyle Roggow and Henry Lehr were acknowledged and honored at the IEDC 2023 Annual Conference during the inaugural Recognition Night event in Dallas, TX, September 19.

"DAEDF has raised the bar for excellence in economic development with its EDO of the Year award. This award is a testament to DAEDF’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 DAEDF with this award and recognize its leadership and innovation in the field of economic development!”

DAEDF also won Bronze Awards in two other categories.  The organization was recognized with the recent release of the multimedia production “Who We Are”.  A Bronze was also given to DAEDF for their long-standing relationship with Duncan Public Schools and Red River Technology in the area of Partnerships with Educational Institutions.

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 to 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.

IEDC received 580 entries for the 26 different categories.  There are four divisions based upon the population of community, with each having a gold, silver, or bronze awardee. 2023 award winners represented seven countries and 38 States in the USA.

“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized internationally by the largest professional economic development organization in the world for our hard work and focus on continuous improvement for growth and job creation,” said Lyle Roggow, President of DAEDF. "Special thanks are extended to the current and former members of the DAEDF Board of Directors for their unwavering support of our program of work. It is the foundation laid by our visionary founding members, coupled with the legal framework governing our operations, that has paved the way for DAEDF's success."

About Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation

Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation (DAEDF) was started in 1993 when business leaders decided to diversify the industry mix of the community.  A dedicated sales tax passed by the citizen’s allowed the program of work to begin.  DAEDF is involved with workforce, STEM, internships activities, and business incubator along with business attraction. 

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.

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