Photo Caption: Dr. Todd Schwarz, Executive Vice President/Chief Academic Officer, College of Southern Idaho (left) accepts IEDC’s prestigious Institutional Leadership Award from, Jay Williams, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, U.S. Economic Development Administration.
College of Southern Idaho’s Dr. Todd Schwarz recognized for his leadership supporting economic development in the region
Twins Falls, ID — Southern Idaho was recognized this week with two awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization (SIEDO) received a Bronze Excellence in Economic Development award, and Todd Schwarz, PhD, Executive Vice President/Chief Academic Officer, College of Southern Idaho, was awarded the Institutional Leadership Award for his lasting commitment to the field of economic development.
“These awards serve as a salute to pacesetting organizations like the Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization for leading the charge," said JoAnn Crary, CEcD, Chair of the International Economic Development Council and President of Saginaw Future Inc. “The Institutional Leadership Award recognizes a leader of a community institution whose exemplary support of local economic development programs has allowed for continued community success.”
At the College of Southern Idaho (CSI), Dr. Schwarz has helped transform the economic development landscape of the region, promoting career and technical growth at the highest level. The training programs created by Dr. Schwarz resulted in substantial economic development funding for the region, which gained over $20 million in grants. In addition, Dr. Schwarz cultivated a strong workforce in Idaho and made the region a relevant site for large-scale companies, including Chobani which built the world’s largest yogurt plant in Twin Falls in 2012.
“Southern Idaho is honored to be recognized by IEDC as having one of the world’s best economic development programs with established regional partnerships that further positive change in our region,” says Mike Schutz, chair of Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization (SIEDO). “We are pleased to be recognized with these distinguished awards by IEDC.”
SIEDO received its award in the category of Partnerships with Educational Institutions for communities with populations of 200,000 to 500,000 for its ongoing collaboration with CSI.
SIEDO was established in 2001 with CSI as the primary founding partner. Since 2001, over 35 new and existing businesses have announced capital investments exceeding $1 billion in southern Idaho, creating over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs as a result of SIEDO’s partnership with CSI.
Recipients of IEDC's Excellence in Economic Development Awards demonstrate to an experienced panel of judges that they are at the forefront of the economic development profession. They are recognized as the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders. These awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.
The honors were presented at an awards ceremony this week during the IEDC Annual Conference in Anchorage, Alaska.
About Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization
The Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization (SIEDO) is a joint venture of public and private sectors formed to help diversify and strengthen the regional economy by retaining and attracting business in the communities of Twin Falls, Jerome, Kimberly, Filer, Gooding, Glenns Ferry, Burley, Rupert, Heyburn and Paul. www.southernidaho.org
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,600 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.
