City receives international award

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) awarded the City of Comanche with the prestigious Silver Award on Sept. 20 at the IEDC annual conference in Oklahoma City. The City of Comanche and the Comanche Land Management Authority were recognized for their Multi-Year Economic Development Program and their success over the past five years. Accepting the award on behalf of Comanche was city manager, Chuck Ralls.
The IEDC, the largest nonprofit professional association for professional economic developers in the world, selected the recipients of its 2022 Excellence Awards. Recognized each year during the IEDC annual conference, the awards honor organizations for exemplary economic development marketing campaigns, projects, and programs. 25 award categories honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.

“Communities need our profession now more than ever. This year’s awardees exemplify the ingenuity, leadership, and determination needed to meet the challenges of today and the future. The winners of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the best of economic development and demonstrate the level of leadership that our profession strives for every day,” shared IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle.

“We are very honored to receive this award. For the city to be recognized for our efforts is always great and for it to be on an international stage is even more amazing,” said Ralls. “I am thankful for a visionary and supportive city council that is always willing to try new things that bring growth to our city.

“ We have seen so many wonderful projects accomplished over the past five years such as the development of the trading post, new sidewalks, incubator spaces and more. Comanche is once again a destination place that people want to visit and experience. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish in the next five years.”

Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers from around the world. IEDC received over 500 submissions from the United States and four additional countries.