International Economic Development Council report describes New North Inc. as “one of the highest-performing regional economic development organizations in the country”
New North Inc., the regional economic development corporation for the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin, has been recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO). It becomes one of only 83 economic development organizations across the United States to hold the distinction.
“Earning AEDO accreditation tells the community and prospects that the organization has attained a measure of excellence, assuring that their trust is well placed and their business is in good hands,” says IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle. “New North Inc. displays the professionalism, commitment and technical expertise that is deserving of this honor.”
The AEDO program is a comprehensive peer-review process that measures economic development organizations against commonly held standards in the profession. It consists of two phases: a documentation review and an on-site visit. Each phase is designed to evaluate information about the structure, organization, funding, programs and staff of the economic development organization.
“This is an exciting milestone in the 20-year history of New North,” says Barb LaMue, president and CEO of New North Inc. “To have a respected national organization like the IEDC give high marks to the accomplishments and work programs of New North is a real credit to our talented team, along with our many collaborative partners across the region. We are very honored.”
A three-person team of IEDC representatives conducted an on-site visit to the New North from Aug. 5-7. They traveled across the region, speaking to both New North employees and board members, along with business and community stakeholders. They subsequently generated an Accreditation Site Visit Report, which spoke glowingly about New North Inc.
“We believe New North to be one of the highest-performing regional economic development organizations in the country,” the report said. “New North operates in and nurtures a regional community that is collaborative and has no apparent silos. New North is an acknowledged pacesetter within the State of Wisconsin. They are a model to look to for best practices whose leadership and organic constructive collaboration are palpable and inspiring to the review team.”
The report further stated that “the people and partnerships make the secret sauce for success,” and described the support from New North stakeholders as “unambiguous, palpable and ‘all-in.’”
Major accomplishments of New North highlighted in the accreditation report included its talent-attraction campaigns, military-veteran relocation efforts, development of sector alliances (i.e., digital and construction) to address industry-talent needs, business-attraction efforts that involve local stakeholders, digital-skilling programs, and initiatives to support DEI goals for the region.
LaMue on behalf of New North will receive a plaque formally recognizing its achievement of accreditation at the IEDC 2024 Annual Conference later this month in Denver.
The International Economic Development Council is the largest membership association serving economic- and community-development professionals in the world. With more than 5,000 members nationwide and abroad, IEDC offers the economic-development profession one source for information and professional development, one voice for the profession and one force for advocacy. More information on IEDC and the AEDO program can be found at www.iedconline.org.
AEDO status must be maintained every three years through document submission and/or an on-site visit by a team of IEDC representatives.
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New North, Inc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit, regional economic development corporationfostering collaboration among private and public sector leaders throughout the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin, known as the New North region. The New North brand unites the region both internally and externally around talent development, brand promotion and business development, signifying the collective economic power behind the 18 counties. The counties include Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago. www.thenewnorth.com
