International Economic Development Council Presents FHTCC with Award for Annual Magazine

LAKE MARY, Fla. - Oct. 16, 2013 - PRLog -- The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) honored the Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) with a Silver Excellence in Economic Development Award for its annual publication, florida.HIGH.TECH 2012.

The award was presented at a ceremony Tuesday, October 8, during the IEDC Annual Conference, which was held in Philadelphia, Penn.

Since 2002, FHTCC has produced florida.HIGH.TECH which showcases homegrown research and innovation within the 23-county Corridor region to increase awareness of the area’s growing high tech industry.  florida.HIGH.TECH highlights groundbreaking research between university faculty and industry partners, business leaders changing the game in diverse high tech clusters, full-length editorial stories of innovation and FHTCC’s annual report.

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.

“The Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the Florida High Tech Corridor Council as being one of the leading organizations in the industry for innovation, creativity and successful strategies,” said IEDC chair, Paul Krutko.  “These awards are meant to honor the organizations and individuals who are dedicated to making a positive change in their communities.  This organization uses creative solutions and inventive ideas, and offers other regions a wonderful example to learn and benefit from.  The award represents an acknowledgment and appreciation for FHTCC’s dedication to continuous growth within itself, as well as improving the industry overall.”

About FHTCC

The Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) is an economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF).  The mission of FHTCC is to grow high tech industry and innovation through partnerships that support research, marketing, workforce and entrepreneurship.

A partnership involving more than 20 local and regional economic development organizations (EDOs), 14 state/community colleges and 10 workforce boards, the Council is co-chaired by the presidents of UCF, USF and UF.  The Council includes the presidents of two of the community colleges, the president of the Florida Institute of Technology and representatives of high tech industry.

The unique partnership has resulted in a strategic approach to high tech economic development that supports matching funds research, marketing, workforce development and entrepreneurship leveraging governmental, EDO and corporate budgets on a regional rather than local basis.

For more information, visit www.floridahightech.com.

About the International Economic Development Council

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a nonprofit membership organization serving economic developers.  With more than 4,000 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 are engaged in the full range of economic development experience.  Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of 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.www.iedconline.org.