​BRAMPTON, ON (September 21, 2022) – The City of Brampton continues to establish itself as a leader in innovation that is dedicated to excellence in economic development and inclusivity.

This week, the Brampton Economic Development Office participated in the International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) Annual Conference where it was announced that the City has received international accreditation, won two awards and been selected to participate in the Equity in Economic Development Fellowship Program in its inaugural year.

Accredited Economic Development Organization Program
The Brampton Economic Development Office is now one of only 70 economic development organizations in the world to be recognized by the IEDC as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO). The AEDO Program recognizes the professional excellence of economic development organizations. The process of becoming accredited took approximately 11 months and included a review of the Brampton Economic Development’s structure, strategy, and marketing, interviews via a virtual visit with stakeholders representing private businesses and City of Brampton leadership, and a review of the City’s innovation ecosystem.

International Economic Development Council Excellence in Economic Development Awards
The Brampton Economic Development Office received two awards: the IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award for the Invest Brampton website and the IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award for the Innovation District.
InvestBrampton.ca showcases the business case for selecting Brampton to investors, communicates the City’s sector profiles, provides news on recent investments and shares a variety of digital tools and real-time resources like a comprehensive business park guide. The website assists decision-making for site selectors, investors, start-ups, and businesses, and provides resources for partners and showcases the opportunity for innovation in Brampton’s Innovation District.
The City of Brampton is building an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in its downtown, branded the Innovation District. The expansion of the Innovation District is a key element of Brampton’s economic growth. Partnerships with educational institutions and other organizations in the Innovation District establish a solid foundation and help to attract new partners to the district. The goal for the Innovation District is to offer a suite of supports for entrepreneurs and businesses to access at every stage of their journey. The transformational initiatives underway will help create complete communities, unlock economic potential and reinforce Brampton’s unique position on the Innovation Corridor.


Equity in Economic Development Fellowship Program
The Brampton Economic Development Office was selected to participate in the launch of the IEDC’s Equity in Economic Development Fellowship Program. Through the program, a selected Fellow worked  closely with the City’s Brampton Economic Development and Equity offices on research in inclusive innovation, Black economic development program design and policy development for equity. The Program provides hands-on experience while advancing substantive and impactful projects in the local community. Brampton was the only city in Canada to be selected to be a host as part of the inaugural IEDC fellowship.
Learn more about the Brampton Economic Development Office at www.investbrampton.ca. Learn more about the IEDC at www.iedconline.org.

Quotes

“We are honoured that our Brampton Economic Development Office has been recognized by the International Economic Development Council, especially as an Accredited Economic Development Organization. Brampton is a City of Opportunities, and we are squarely focused on continuing to establish our community as a prime location to invest, leading the way in innovation and advancing inclusive and equitable opportunities for everyone in our community.”
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

“The awards and recognition our Brampton Economic Development has received from the International Economic Development Council are a testament to our dedicated economic development staff and the competitive business environment they promote through excellence in economic development. We are proud to be recognized for our efforts, and welcome all companies to learn more about what makes Brampton a leading city of the future.”
- Martin Medeiros, Regional Councillor, Wards 3&4; Chair, Economic Development, City of Brampton

“City of Brampton staff are dedicated to supporting businesses – the backbone of our community – in everything we do. Congratulations to our Brampton Economic Development team for this recognition from the International Economic Development Council. The City continues to establish itself as an optimal location to invest.”
- Paul Morrison, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton

“The Brampton Economic Development Office is honoured to have our work recognized and become an Accredited Economic Development Organization by the International Economic Development Council. Thank you to our team for their continued dedication to excellence in economic development and passion for establishing Brampton as a global leader in innovation. We look forward to continuing to support Brampton businesses and attracting investment that benefits our entire community.”
- Clare Barnett, Director, Economic Development, City of Brampton

“Brampton’s business community is fortunate to have such a professional economic development office at the City of Brampton. We are proud of the exemplary service that the team provides to bolster the growth of our community. Congratulations on achieving IEDC accreditation.”
- Todd Letts MBA CCE, Chief Executive Officer, Brampton Board of Trade


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As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Brampton is home to 700,000 people and 75,000 businesses. People are at the heart of everything we do. We are energized by our diverse communities, we attract investment, and we are embarking on a journey to lead technological and environmental innovation. We partner for progress to build a healthy city that is safe, sustainable, and successful. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Learn more at www.brampton.ca

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