County wins provincial economic honours and awards
Administrator | Feb 17, 2015 | Comments 1
The County’s Community Development Department received awards and honours from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario Friday for work on branding, marketing and planning. Neil Carbone, the County’s Director of Community Development, was named EDCO’s ‘Young Professional of the Year’.
At the organization’s annual conference in Hamilton, the County honors were for municipalities with a population between 10,000 and 50,000. The awards recognize local economic development initiatives that demonstrate excellence and innovation. The awards:
-The 2015 Award for Best Branding
-The 2015 Award for Best Marketing Publication
-An honorable mention in the Planning and Infrastructure Category.
“We are thrilled that the County’s recent marketing efforts have been recognized with these 2015 EDCO Awards,” said Mayor Robert Quaiff. “Paired with the County’s growing profile and popularity, these awards reinforce the County as a community development leader in Ontario. These honors recognize the hard work and commitment that our community development staff, commission, and volunteers have dedicated to these award-winning projects.”
“The Branding Award was received in response to The County’s comprehensive rebranding exercise, completed in 2014,” said Neil Carbone, Director of Community Development, in a statement. “The new brand was recognized for its ability to present a consistent and authentic image of the County to visitors, residents and business, while maintaining an emphasis on the County’s unique rustic-contemporary atmosphere.”
Spearheaded by the Community Development Commission and adopted by council in 2014, the brand continues to be rolled out in all County communications and media and has been adopted in marketing materials by numerous partners and stakeholder organizations.
The County’s “25 Things to Know About Prince Edward County” publication received an award for Best Marketing Publication. Produced by the County’s Community Development Department, The “25 Things” publication was developed for new and prospective residents of the County, with the intent of making their transition to County life more seamless and enjoyable.
“The publication aims to provide easy and consolidated access the resources and opportunities available locally. Available in both English and French, the publication is currently being used by local realtors, distributed in response to resident relocations and provided to members of the public in response to other information requests.”
An honorable mention was also received in EDCO’s Planning and Infrastructure category, recognizing the County’s efforts to facilitate active living and community integration for seniors through its Age in Place Concept.
At the same conference, Carbone, was named EDCO’s Young Professional of the Year. The award recognizes leadership of the community development department in the award-winning initiatives, and his taking the reins of the County’s plan to achieve a broad, strategic and inclusive approach to community development.
Carbone was recently nominated President of the Regional Tourism Organization of The Great Waterway, which represents tourism interests and oversees provincial tourism spending in eastern Ontario. He also participated in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Caribbean Local Economic Development program and is a member of the municipality’s Acting CAO program.
“It is an honour to receive these awards, which recognize the efforts of our entire Community Development team, the commission, our partners, and the ongoing support we have received from council,” said Carbone. “These awards speak to our collective enthusiasm and dedication to the future of the County. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with such a capable and collaborative group, and to be a part of this exciting time in our community.”
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