LAFAYETTE, La. – One Acadiana (1A) has been recognized as a silver winner in two categories of the 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Awards by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). IEDC’s annual Excellence Awards honor economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent and exemplary performance in the profession.
1A’s Small Business Challenge won silver in the Entrepreneurial & Small Business Development category, and 1A’s 2025-2029 Impact Brochure won silver in the Print Brochure category. One Acadiana will be acknowledged and honored at the IEDC 2024 Annual Conference in Denver, CO, September 15-18.
“One Acadiana is setting the standard of excellence for economic development with both its Small Business Challenge and Impact Brochure. These awards highlight One Acadiana’s commitment to its community and demonstrates the transformative impact of economic development,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO, “It is with great pride that IEDC presents these awards to One Acadiana, celebrating their leadership and innovation in the field of economic development.”
“We are absolutely thrilled to announce this year’s award winners. These exceptional projects showcase remarkable dedication and ingenuity within the field,” said Kevin Kramer, Chair of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards Advisory Committee. “One Acadiana’s contributions will leave a lasting impact and demonstrate its commitment to creating positive change for its residents.”
“With IEDC having received over 500 applications from economic development organizations all over the globe, 1A is thrilled to have these two projects receive this recognition,” said 1A President & CEO, Troy Wayman. “Both the Small Business Challenge and our Impact Brochure have played a unique role in driving economic growth in Acadiana.”
About One Acadiana
One Acadiana is the chamber of commerce for Lafayette and leading economic development organization for the nine-parish Acadiana region located in south Louisiana. The organization is recognized as one of four across the country to hold both an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) accreditation and a five-star U.S. Chamber of Commerce accreditation.
With more than 800 investors, members, and partners, One Acadiana serves as the voice of the regional business community. The organization is located in the city of Lafayette and serves a region of nearly 700,000 people with a vibrant culture and unique entrepreneurial spirit. Learn more at OneAcadiana.org.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 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 engage in the full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When IEDC succeeds, its members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at www.iedconline.org today!