Texas Border Business
IEDC recognizes BEDC’s Launch Brownsville campaign, recruitment efforts
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (October 20, 2015) — The Brownsville Economic Development Council received a Gold Award and two other Excellence in Economic Development Awards for its recruitment, collaboration and marketing efforts associated with the commercial space industry.
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the trade association for economic development organizations, recognized the BEDC at an awards ceremony at its annual conference. IEDC is the leading economic development organization in the world.
“From localized community projects, to large scale endeavors, economic development efforts have played a vital role in the global economy,” said JoAnn Crary, Chair of the International Economic Development Council. “As we address new and longstanding challenges, these efforts continue to take on even greater importance.”
“The award serves as a salute to pacesetting organizations like the Brownsville Economic Development Council for leading the charge,” Crary added.
The awards for Excellence in Economic Development include:
*Gold in the category of Regionalism & Project Collaboration for Project SpaceX-Stargate.
*Silver in the category of Special Purpose Print Brochure, which was for the Brownsville Economic Journal, a business news magazine of the BEDC.
*Bronze in the Video & Multimedia Promotion category for the Launch Brownsville campaign, designed for introducing the commercial space industry to Brownsville.
*The BEDC received the nod for its achievement in the creativity behind recruiting the SpaceX-Stargate projects to Boca Chica Beach.
“The recognition is a testament to what we’re experiencing, which is education, industry and innovation all converging in this region,” said Jason Hilts, BEDC President & CEO. “Brownsville is transforming its own destiny.”
About the projects and campaigns behind the awards:
Project STARGATE (Spacecraft Tracking and Astronomical Research into Gigahertz Astrophysical Transient Emission) is a facility which will track and monitor vehicles traveling in space, such as satellites and other space crafts. The project was a collaborative effort between the Brownsville Economic Development Council, the City of Brownsville, SpaceX, and the University of Texas at Brownsville. The project was part of a larger campaign during the recruitment process of SpaceX, the vertical-rocket launch site and command center to be built at Boca Chica Beach.
With STARGATE, the BEDC, in partnership with UT-Brownsville, was able to set Brownsville apart from its competition, which included sites in Florida, Puerto Rico, and Georgia. SpaceX was seeking a location for a private rocket launch facility, which would be used to launch its signature Falcon 9 rocket into space with commercial payloads.
The Brownsville Economic Journal is a full-color business news magazine which provides a snapshot of the economic trends and successes in the greater Brownsville-Matamoros region. The BEDC published a special edition of the Brownsville Economic Journal titled, “Transforming Destiny”, dedicated exclusively to the SpaceX project and the company’s announcement to build the world’s first ever commercial orbital launch site in Brownsville. The special issue highlighted and promoted the innovation, entrepreneurship, educational and economic opportunities the space industry is expected to bring to Brownsville, Texas, and, surrounding communities.
Launch Brownsville is an initiative created by the BEDC to bring awareness and knowledge to our community about the SpaceX project. While the SpaceX project was in the works, Launch Brownsville became the channel the BEDC used to inform the public about the advancement of the project, as well as the economic and educational benefits it is expected to bring. Innovation and technology were key in the initiative’s success with social media, Power Point presentations, promotional videos, and e-mail campaigns utilized as the mediums to distribute information.
These awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs, partnerships, and marketing materials created and utilized by economic development organizations worldwide. This is the second year the BEDC receives recognition by the IEDC for its marketing programs.
About the BEDC & Greater Brownsville Incentives Corp.
The Brownsville EDC, contracted by the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, is a business league which promotes the economic and industrial development of the Brownsville‐Matamoros region and is dedicated to building economic prosperity in the area. The Brownsville Bordreplex is one of the fastest growing areas in the state of Texas and the United States.
