Kentucky Organization Gets High Honors from the Commerce Department
United States Department of Commerce News - September 8, 2005

Greater Louisville, Inc.'s High Impact Portfolio of Louisville, Ky., today received high honors when the Commerce Department announced the organization as the winner of the 2005 Excellence in Economic Development Award for Urban or Suburban Economic Development. The award recognizes the Greater Louisville, Inc. High Impact Portfolio's commitment to sound, research-based, market driven economic development in helping grow the local economy.

"The winners of EDA's Excellence Awards represent the best and brightest economic development methods and practices in use today. Their commitment to sound, research-based, market driven economic development is helping America's communities grow their economies and create jobs. I am grateful for their participation in our national awards program," said EDA Chief of Staff Sandy K. Baruah.

"I am very proud of the outstanding work that Greater Louisville Incorporated has done to promote economic development and create jobs in Kentucky," said U.S. Senator Jim Bunning.

"Greater Louisville Inc. has done an outstanding job promoting our city for better and higher paying jobs. I am so pleased to see GLI recognized nationally for its commitment to our local economy," said U.S. Congresswoman Anne Northup.

"We're so pleased to be chosen for this award," said Joe Reagan, President & CEO of Greater Louisville Inc. "We are very proud of our High Impact Portfolio and to be recognized for the program's vision and success is a real honor. The companies that are part of the portfolio are some of the most important assets we have in Louisville and they represent the future of our city's economic growth. This award is about these companies and we will share it with them."

Nominations are made in specific categories announced each year and nominees are evaluated by a Selection Panel appointed by the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development.

This year, nominations were taken in seven categories: Excellence in Urban or Suburban Economic Development; Excellence in Rural Economic Development; Excellence in Enhancing Regional Competitiveness; Excellence in Economic Adjustment Strategies; Excellence in Technology-led Economic Development; Excellence in Community and Faith-based Social Entrepreneurship and Excellence in Innovation.

Excellence Award winners will be announced at EDA's "Symposium for 21st Century Economic Development" to be held on September 22, 2005 in Arlington, Va.

The symposium will feature discussion on innovative strategies for economic development among business leaders, government officials, and economic development practitioners and researchers. Information on the symposium can be found on-line at: http://www.outreach.psu.edu/C&I/EDASymposium/

EDA serves as a venture capital resource to meet the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States. EDA's mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.

Additional information on how EDA investments are helping distressed communities create a positive and sustainable economic future can be accessed at: http://www.eda.gov.

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