Press Release | City of San Diego

San Diego’s Redevelopment, Economic Development Efforts Receive International Recognition

SAN DIEGO – The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has recognized San Diego with four of the organization’s prestigious annual awards that honor excellence in economic development. The awards were presented to San Diego leaders this week in Oakland at the organization’s annual conference, which was attended by more than 1,200 officials from North America, Europe, and Australia.

“This recognition serves to further the perception of San Diego as a national model for community and economic growth,” said Hank Cunningham, director of the Community and Economic Development Department. “It’s an acknowledgement of the diverse public and private collaboration that must occur to ensure that San Diego remains ‘America’s Finest City.’”

The City of San Diego nominated two partners for IEDC leadership awards. From the private sector, developer William Jones, president and CEO of CityLink Investment Corp., was the recipient of the Citizen Leadership Award for his ambitious efforts to revitalize City Heights. Through the creation of the Urban Village, the core of City Heights now has a new police substation, community gymnasium, library, elementary school, community service center, continuing education center, and recreation center. Additionally, a new home loan program for City Heights residents is available, and further development is underway outside the Urban Village. CityLink, along with the City’s Redevelopment Agency and Price Charities, among other partners, were instrumental in making the dream of the City Heights Urban Village a reality.

From the public sector, Harold Brown, associate dean and director of Community Economic Development (CED) in the College of Business Administration at San Diego State University (SDSU), was given the Richard Preston Award in honor of his efforts at continuing education for the economic development practitioner. The certificate program’s coursework includes studies in community outreach and leadership, economic development, and concepts of organizational management. Roughly 25 students graduate each year from the eight-month course, which is advancing to offer a graduate degree. This educational experience directly benefits the City, as many of those graduates are either City employees or partners in ongoing community revitalization efforts.

The City’s comprehensive program of business development assistance received an honorable mention for the IEDC’s Program Award. Programs such as the Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Team, various Incentive Zones (Enterprise Zone, Foreign Trade Zone, and Renewal Community), the Office of Small Business, and Business Finance Program are all outstanding and innovative ways to retain and generate jobs and investment on an ongoing basis.

Finally, the Community and Economic Development Department’s external newsletter, Business Matters, received an honorable mention for the Newsletter Award. With a quarterly distribution of 75,000, Business Matters is sent to all businesses in the City and business assistance organizations. It serves as an information clearinghouse for business assistance programs offered by the City of San Diego and its partner agencies, addressing such issues as business incentives, business counseling, seminar and workshop opportunities, and other issues vital to the successful operation of a business in San Diego.

The City’s Community and Economic Development Department strives to integrate community, social, economic, renewal and empowerment goals through programs and services provided by its three divisions: Economic Development, Redevelopment and Community Services. The City also works closely with partner agencies, community and business associations and the private sector to accomplish these community revitalization goals.

The International Economic Development Council is the largest membership association serving economic and community development professionals and those in allied fields. With more than 4,000 members nationwide and abroad, the Washington D.C.-based organization offers economic development officials stronger advocacy and access at the federal level, expanded networks and alliances, and an international presence.

With an emphasis on the City’s urban core neighborhoods and low and moderate income residents, the Community and Economic Development Department strives to improve the quality of life and ensure a healthy economy in San Diego through job development, business development, neighborhood revitalization, public improvements, redevelopment, social services, and revenue enhancement.

Community & Economic Development