The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) honored the New Orleans Business Alliance with a Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award for its InvestNOLA Initiative, a program that provides equitable growth opportunities for entrepreneurs of color.

The program won in the category of Innovation Programs and Initiatives. InvestNOLA is designed to help minority-owned small businesses grow to enterprises with $10 million or more in revenue through public- and private-sector opportunities, innovative capital products, mentorship and advanced business-management education.

The honor was presented at an awards ceremony last week during the IEDC Annual Conference, held in Indianapolis.

MORE: InvestNOLA to Help Small Business Grow

“The recipients of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the very best of economic development and exemplify the ingenuity, integrity, and leadership that our profession strives for each and every day,” said 2019 IEDC Board Chair Tracye McDaniel. “We’re honored to recognize more than 100 communities for their excellent work, which forges new opportunities for our profession. We look forward to even greater participation from economic developers across the globe in the 2020 awards program.”

IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders. Thirty four award categories honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers from around the world, following a nomination process held earlier this year. IEDC received over 400 submissions from 12 countries.

MORE: IEDC Honors Business Alliance with Two Awards

“This recognition by the leader in international economic development is an accomplishment for any small economic development organization. But what’s important is the work of our team to bring equity and success to local New Orleans business owners through a vision of economic development reimagined,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., president and CEO of the New Orleans Business Alliance. “While our work is recognized among international economic development leaders, we realize that a lot work remains to be done for New Orleans to assume her rightful place as a leader in entrepreneurial business growth.”

About the New Orleans Business Alliance

One of fewer than 70 Accredited Economic Development Organizations worldwide, the New Orleans Business Alliance is the official 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit economic development organization created as the partnership between the City of New Orleans and the business community to enhance the economic security of all New Orleanians by diversifying the local economy, developing local talent and expanding entrepreneurial opportunity. Through an inclusive economic development strategy, we will create the perfect intersection of culture and commerce resulting in more equity and greater prosperity for all. Learn more at nolaba.org.

About the International Economic Development Council

The International Economic Development Council is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,000 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. Learn more at iedconline.org.