IEDC Honors Ann Arbor SPARK with Accredited Economic Development Organization Designation

ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Ann Arbor SPARK recently earned designation as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The AEDO program accredits local and state economic development entities, regional public-private economic development partnerships, the economic development departments of utility companies, and nonprofit business associations.

A video of the awards presentation is available online: http://youtu.be/ic0LS29U1wo.

"The rigorous evaluation process used for AEDO includes a thorough organizational review conducted by leading economic development professionals," said Paul Krutko, Ann Arbor SPARK president and CEO.  "Having these experts validate Ann Arbor SPARK's leadership and activities signifies that we are doing the right things to move our economy forward.  The Ann Arbor SPARK staff, board of directors and its community partners all contribute to the organization's ability to earn the AEDO designation, and to continue to push ahead in its work to strengthen the region."

As part of the AEDO accreditation process, practicing economic developers examined Ann Arbor SPARK's internal and external operations, as well as its structure and procedures. The accreditation process required Ann Arbor SPARK to submit documents demonstrating its structure and activities as well as a site visit conducted by a review team that assessed the organization in action.

To determine whether Ann Arbor SPARK was eligible for AEDO accreditation, the review team held meetings with organizational leadership, staff members, and community stakeholders.  Those meetings were used to compose a detailed report that was presented to the entire AEDO Committee, which then voted on accreditation.

In its report, the AEDO review team described Ann Arbor SPARK as "the type of forward-thinking economic development agency that understands its changing economic development role in the region.  By our account, Ann Arbor SPARK is a model for 21^st century economic development that many of our peers should investigate and learn from to better understand how success is achieved."

Ann Arbor SPARK is required to earn reaccreditation every three years.

About Ann Arbor SPARK

Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is advancing the region by encouraging and supporting business acceleration, attraction and retention. The organization identifies and meets the needs of business at every stage, from start-ups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County, Livingston County, Washtenaw County etcs/Michigan Works!, the City of Ann Arbor, Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For more information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org. 

SOURCE Ann Arbor SPARK

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