(AVON, Colorado – May 14, 2015) – The Vail Valley Partnership, the region’s community development organization, announced today that they have recently won two awards for their groundbreaking work in community economic development.
On Friday, May 1, 2015, Economic Development Director, Jeremy Rietmann, was presented with the Economic Development Council of Colorado’s Rookie of the Year Award. Designed to encourage new professionals who have demonstrated exceptional ability and performance in the field of economic development, the Rookie of the Year Award has been highlighting leaders since 1989. The candidate must have less than 3 years in the profession, be recommended by their supervisor for exceptional work on a project, demonstrate ability or leadership usually limited to a veteran ED practitioner, and show some evidence of professional development or support for professional development in Colorado. Rietmann captured this award for his accomplishments in leading the development and implementation of the Eagle County Economic Development plan, leading a valley-wide business branding effort that aims to better communicate what it’s like to do business in Eagle County, and through the development of a new business retention and expansion program that is being progressively rolled out in the community.
One week later, the Vail Valley Partnership was awarded the Special Programs award presented at the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Executives Conference on Friday, May 8, 2015. The Special Achievement Award can be for a capital improvement project, membership drive, tourism promotion, or Chamber community program. This award intentionally accentuates any project that had a positive impact on the community and/or Chamber between January 2014 and December 2014. The Vail Valley Partnership was presented the Special Achievement Award for the work being done by Vail Valley Economic Development, a business unit of Vail Valley Partnership. Vail Valley Economic Development provides a one-stop business services resource for local and prospective businesses and entrepreneurs – providing confidential support to local employers and access to resources they need to become more competitive. Vail Valley Economic Development can provide or facilitate a variety of services including, local economic and demographic data, due diligence support, building or land search, identification of financial resources, government liaison support and more.
The Vail Valley Partnership plans to capitalize on the wide recognition garnered by these two prestigious awards by expanding the awareness of the Vail Valley as a great place to do business. The VVP has recently launched a brand new Economic Development website, www.VailValleyMeansBusiness.com, emphasizing the Vail Valley as a community that holds economic opportunities for those with smart business plans and a drive to succeed.
President and CEO Chris Romer states, “We’re pleased to launch VailValleyMeansBusiness.com, which will provide comprehensive economic data and present our community as a preeminent location not only to live and play but to grow a successful business.”