Fairhope, Ala. – The Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance (BCEDA) has received three Excellence in Economic Development Awards this year from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), recognizing outstanding achievements in communities with populations of 200,000–500,000.
Baldwin Preparatory Academy earned the Silver Award in the category of Talent Development & Retention, a testament to its commitment to address workforce challenges, foster economic growth, and prepare students for future careers. Launched by Baldwin County Public Schools in partnership with BCEDA, the $100 million facility is the state’s first dedicated career-tech high school and blends academics with real-world experience.
BCEDA also received Silver Awards in IEDC’s Promotional Awards category for communications that went beyond standard reporting to deliver distinctive storytelling tools. The 2024 Year in Review highlighted initiatives and measurable results in a creative format that engaged stakeholders. The 30-Year Economic Impact Report, produced for BCEDA’s anniversary, showcased three decades of contributions, investor ROI, and a bold vision for the future. Together, the reports reflected BCEDA’s ability to communicate its mission in a compelling way.
Additionally, earlier this year BCEDA and Baldwin County Public Schools earned the Site Selectors Guild’s 2025 Project with a Purpose Award for Baldwin Prep, recognizing projects that create community benefits beyond job creation.
“We are honored to receive national recognition for these projects,” said Lee Lawson, BCEDA President & CEO. “These awards reflect the talent of our team, the trust of our partners, and our shared commitment to Baldwin County’s economic growth. We’re especially thankful to the private sector and industry partners for coming alongside our school system to create an innovative and collaborative environment for student success.”
Each year, IEDC honors economic development organizations that consistently demonstrate excellence and lead transformational projects for their communities. The awards will be presented at the IEDC 2025 Annual Conference in September in Detroit, Michigan.
“BCEDA is leading the field of excellence in economic development with its workforce development programs and marketing efforts. These awards shine a spotlight on BCEDA’s commitment to its community and showcase the significant impact of economic development,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO. “IEDC is honored to present this award to BCEDA to celebrate both their leadership and innovation in the field.”
About the International Economic Development Council:
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With thousands of 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 a 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 we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at https://www.iedconline.org/.
About Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance:
The Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance (BCEDA) is a coalition of local public and private professionals, leaders, and officials dedicated to fostering economic growth and prosperity in Baldwin County. The organization is committed to promoting Baldwin County as a premier location in the U.S. for investment and continuing to raise the quality of life in the community.