World Business Chicago (WBC) received a Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award in the New Media category from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for its Site Selector App. The honor was presented at an awards ceremony this week, during the IEDC Annual Conference, September 30 – October 3 in Houston, Texas. 

“We are honored that the IEDC acknowledged the innovative work we are doing at World Business Chicago, in order to make the expansion and relocation processes seamless for companies making location decisions,” said Rita Athas, president of World Business Chicago. “Site Selector is a prime example of how WBC is creatively utilizing our resources to make information and data on Chicago easily accessible.”

“We recognize World Business Chicago for creating innovative and successful strategies to promote economic development in this period of global recovery,” said Jay Moon, IEDC chair. “Our awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in communities. World Business Chicago demonstrates that they are at the forefront of the economic development profession and are using cutting-edge, effective practices that can be replicated in other communities.”

Site Selector is a web-based mapping application that illustrates location options for companies and organizations looking for space in Chicago. The tool combines information from the City of Chicago’s open data portal with commercial real estate information and quality-of-life amenities, all presented in an easy-to-navigate environment. More than 20 map layers can be combined to help users visualize which areas of the city might be best for their business location. For example, a location specific incentive program (which can be filtered by company size and type) can be layered over industrial districts. Then available industrial real estate locations can be layered on top. Other available layers include: colleges & universities, Planned Manufacturing Districts, Special Service Areas, City owned land, rail lines, schools, etc. SiteSelectorApp.com

IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders. These awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities. WBC’s recognition was under the category of communities with populations of greater than 500,000.

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The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is the world’s largest independent non-profit membership and research organization devoted exclusively to the field of economic development. IEDC helps economic development professionals create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities and improve the quality of life in their regions.  Serving more than 4,400 members, IEDC provides a diverse range of services including conferences, professional development and certification, publications, research, advisory services, and legislative tracking.