FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2020
Contact: Erin Emerson
812.547.8377 erin@pickperry.com
Pick Perry Campaign Receives Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council
Washington, DC – Perry County Development Corporation won a gold category award for its Pick Perry Campaign, a project in the Talent Development and Retention category of the 2020 Excellence in Economic Development Awards program. Additionally, one of the campaign’s signature initiatives, the Pick Perry Poster Campaign, also won a silver award in the category of General Purpose Print Promotion. The honors were presented this week at an awards ceremony during the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Annual Conference, which is currently underway.
“We are extremely proud to have earned this level of recognition as we know there are hundreds of worthy submissions,” said Erin Emerson, Executive Director of the Perry County Development Corporation. “The success of the campaign has everything to do with our community members and their willingness to embrace new ideas, opportunities, and people. We’re very blessed to live and work in a community where people are genuinely welcoming and excited about growth. People here really do love where they live and they get excited about sharing that with others.”
IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders. 35 award categories honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers from around the world, following a nomination process held earlier this year. IEDC received over 500 submissions from 4 countries.
The Pick Perry Campaign, an evolving, community-owned movement, focuses on retaining and attracting talent to Perry County, Indiana. Its core principles are community self-love, the power of collaboration, and the value of innovation and inclusion. A collaboration between local economic development, chamber of commerce and tourism in response to declining population and a growing number of open positions, the project created a new community brand, a shared website, a strong social media presence and more. The campaign serves as an outlet for residents to express their love for and pride in the community and as a result, it mobilized the community’s collective power to grow.
One of the campaign’s most visible projects thus far has been the Pick Perry Poster Campaign, a series highlighting the positive aspects of small-town life in Perry County, Indiana was developed as a result of brainstorming sessions with young professionals, several of which had recently returned to the area after living away for several years. With topics ranging from nearly non-existent commute times to majestic views of the Ohio River Valley to touting the 2018 title of Safest Place to Live in Indiana, the posters showcase Perry County through the eyes of its younger, and in some cases newest residents. Often featuring local businesses, points-of-interest and residents, the posters highlight the distinct qualities of rural-living that make it ideal for escaping the bustle of big city life or for settling down to raise a family. Rather than trying to draw attention away from our rural make-up, the series embraces the concept of small-town life with a sense of humor.
“The winners of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the very best of economic development and exemplify the ingenuity, integrity, and leadership that our profession strives for each and every day”, said 2020 IEDC Board Chair and One Columbus CEO Kenny McDonald. “We’re honored to recognize the more than 100 communities whose marketing campaigns, projects and partnerships have measurably improved regional quality of life.”
This isn’t the first time the campaign has been recognized for its innovation. In 2019, the campaign received the Marketing Program Award at the Mid-America Economic Development Council’s Annual Economic Development Awards. It was also featured as a best practice in Ady Advantage’s talent strategy study and highlighted at the 2019 Mid-America Economic Development Council’s Best Practices Conference.
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 5,000 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 are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of 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.
