Washington, DC (February 3, 2016): The Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Plenary Session of IEDC’s 2016 Leadership Summit on Jan. 25, 2016 in New Orleans, LA.
By way of the MOU, the organizations agree to work together to better serve the Economic Development Profession in North America. The partnership will share information, products and services, including professional development and certification opportunities. This includes accrediting each organization’s courses for respective members’ professional development recertification. This will allow those seeking recertification of Ec.D. or CEcD designation may take EDAC or IEDC courses. For those attaining an Ec.D. Designation, 70 percent of courses taken will be required to be from EDAC’s professional development program. The MOU also outlines mutual attendance and speaking roles in conferences and that EDAC members can access IEDC publications at the IEDC member rate. The MOU is committed for three years and will be reviewed for renewal in 2019.
“EDAC and IEDC have had a long standing and successful relationship starting with the first bilateral partnership agreement between the parties shortly after IEDC’s inception in 2001.” EDAC President Greg Borduas, Ec.D. (F), said after the signing. “Canada and the United States comprises the greatest and most powerful economic region in the world. Together EDAC and IEDC have in excess of 5,000 economic development professional members who build communities; are champions for business; and create wealth, prosperity and jobs”.
IEDC Board Chair Barry Matherly, CEcD, FM, said “EDAC and IEDC’s partnership will allow both parties to grow and advance the economic development profession. I look forward to what the future holds for EDAC and IEDC and to the opportunities this partnership will develop,”
“With IEDCs growth of Canadian Provincial partnerships, this MOU was the next step to better both countries. I am happy that we could formalize the relationship so that we can work together to improve economic development training opportunities for all involved,” IEDC President & CEO Jeffrey, Finkle, CEcD, said.
“EDAC and IEDC have been partners in the profession for many years, it is an optimum time for both parties to continue this formal partnership which will benefit our respective members. The opportunity for EDAC members to hold both the National and International Designations is of benefit to all members that will ultimately strengthen the profession. As CEO of EDAC, I am pleased that we are moving forward in this direction,” EDAC CEO Penny Gardiner, Ec.D. said.
Greg Borduas, Ec.D. (F), Board President of EDAC and Barry Matherly, Board Chair of IEDC exchanged the MOU on mutual cooperation at IEDC’s Leadership Summit in New Orleans, LA January 25, 2016.
About the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,700 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. www.iedconline.org
About Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC)
The Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) a Canadian not for profit organization since 1968. The mission of EDAC is to enhance the professional competence of economic developers and ensure placement of highly professional and qualified practitioners in the field of economic development. EDAC represents 1,000 economic development practitioners in all corners of Canada delivering training and accreditation services, National Professional Designation (Ec.D.), ensuring that Canadian communities have access to Accredited Economic Development Professionals.
EDAC members offer a wide array of strategies to secure a healthy economy in Canadian communities, helping small business grow, leading major development projects, securing outside investments through business attraction, retaining existing opportunities, securing access to capital, etc.
