Photo courtesy of International Economic Development Awards
Program Director for Technical Assistance Ashley Snookes accepts the 2023 Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council.
[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE]
September 28, 2023
Headline: Spruce Root receives 2023 Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council
Dzantik'i Heeni (Juneau, Alaska) ~ Spruce Root, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and supporting rural communities, is thrilled to announce that the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has selected the Path to Prosperity (P2P) suite of services as a 2023 Excellence in Economic Development Award Winner.
IEDC is a non-profit membership organization for economic developers all over the world with more than 4,300 members. During its 2023 inaugural Recognition Night event on September 19th at the Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas, the IEDC awarded Spruce Root a gold award for Multi-Year Economic Development, a gold award for Entrepreneurship and a silver award in Economic Equity & Inclusion.
These awards are a testament to Spruce Root’s unwavering dedication to creating sustainable, thriving communities.
"At Spruce Root we put a lot of effort into continuously improving our programs year over year so that we can meet the needs of small business owners and our communities,” Spruce Root Executive Director Alana Peterson said. “This award is an honor and gives me a lot of gratitude for our dedicated Spruce Root team."
"Spruce Root has raised the bar for excellence in economic development with its Path to Prosperity programs. This award is a testament to Spruce Root’s dedication to its residents and serves as a great example of how economic development can help transform a community for the better," said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO. “It is IEDC’s honor and privilege to present Spruce Root with this award and recognize its leadership and innovation in the field of economic development.”
Spruce Root’s impactful work in entrepreneurship and community development makes a profound difference in the lives of thousands of individuals across the region.
One way in which we do that is through our Path to Prosperity suite of services. P2P services for small businesses include one-on-one coaching, group workshops, and business planning. We provide access to education, networking and funding so that regenerative businesses are equipped to fulfill their potential.
Along with services for entrepreneurs, this suite of programming also supports members of the workforce interested in developing their professional skills and career path as well as individuals interested in improving their financial wellness and building wealth in Southeast Alaska. In 2022, these programs served more than 350 clients, delivering 272 hours of technical assistance, resulting in more than 60 completed business plans and unlocking $125,000 in external grant funds.
Spruce Root’s previous iteration, Haa Aani Community Development Fund, won an IEDC silver award for Business Retention & Expansion for Programs of 3 Years or More in in 2015.
Every year IEDC looks specifically for economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development.
Spruce Root is a U.S. Treasury-certified Native Community Development Financial Institution based in Southeast Alaska. The organization provides technical assistance to entrepreneurs, members of the workforce, and individuals seeking finanical wellness, access to capital through loan funds for early-stage businesses, and connects individuals and organizations interested in foraging a sustainable future through the Sustainable Southeast Partnership. Together, these programs drive a regenerative economy across Southeast Alaska so communities can forge futures grounded in this uniquely Indigenous place.
We maintain physical offices in Juneau and Sitka, but our staff works remotely and represents communities all over Southeast Alaska.
For more information go to spruceroot.org/our-stories. If you have any questions, please reach out to Spruce Root Communications Specialist Tripp J Crouse at tripp@spruceroot.org or (907) 306-6475.
About International Economic Development Council: The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 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 the 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 www.iedconline.org.
About Spruce Root: Spruce Root is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Our services for small businesses include coaching, training, and lending for startup enterprises, working capital, business expansion, leasehold improvements and other business capital needs. We are a driver of a regenerative economy across Southeast Alaska so communities can forge futures grounded in this uniquely Indigenous place.
For more information about Spruce Root, go to spruceroot.org.
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