Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI) received an Honorable Mention Award for Excellence in Economic Development from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The award was made in conjunction with GSI's Positioned for Growth publication in the magazines category, which included communities with populations between 200,000 and 500,000.

The honor was presented at an awards ceremony during the IEDC Annual Conference, September 18-21 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"We recognize GSI for providing successful strategies to promote new standards in economic development in this period of global recovery," said Dennis Coleman, IEDC chair. "Our awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in communities. They demonstrate that they are at the forefront of the economic development profession and are using innovative and effective practices that can be replicated in other communities."

Positioned for Growth is the 2011 edition of an annual magazine Greater Spokane Incorporated creates with The Journal of Business. The piece highlights our region's business development and successes and is used both for local and outside audiences.

"The team at the Spokane Journal of Business is very pleased to be part of this partnership with Greater Spokane Incorporated," said Greg Bever, Publisher of the Journal of Business. "This year's edition of Positioned for Growth was an opportunity for the region to highlight the momentum and the investments in our community, and to celebrate our local businesses and entrepreneurs."

The Excellence in Economic Development Awards Program annually recognizes the world's best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year's most influential leaders. The program honors organizations and individuals in 28 categories for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.