The Right Place Inc. Receives Two Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council

Grand Rapids-based economic development organization The Right Place, Inc. received two awards recently from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The Right Place received a Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award for its website (www.rightplace.org) and a Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award for its RPI Insider investor newsletter.

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 awards process is a thorough, non-biased and multi-layered process. These are extraordinary accomplishments for all winners, and an overall great effort by all participants. We look forward to next year’s awards competition,” Matherly said.

“On behalf of the IEDC board of directors and Excellence in Economic Development Awards Advisory Committee, congratulations to The Right Place Inc. Not only did they work to provide a necessary service to their community; but also, their participation in the awards program sheds light on their stellar projects which other communities can now use a benchmark,” said Barry Matherly, CEcD, FM, IEDC 2016 Board Chair, President & CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership.

Website

In 2015, The Right Place began the process of launching a completely redesigned general purpose website, rightplace.org. The site serves as West Michigan's main source of economic development information, hundreds of thousands of visits annually. The site has also recently experienced impressive traffic growth, with visits increasing 331% over the past two years. The website was developed in partnership with Grand Rapids-based Mighty in the Midwest.

Newsletter

The RPI Insider is The Right Place’s quarterly update to investors, stakeholders and strategic partners. Each issue highlights different projects and initiatives the organization is managing or engaged in. Regular departments in each issue reflect the working areas identified in the organization’s 3-year strategic plan, creating consistency in work and communication.