Norfolk County honoured with two recognitions at 2024 EDCO Awards of Excellence

Norfolk County is proud to be recognized for two outstanding initiatives at the 2024 Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) Awards of Excellence. The County received top honours in the Planning and Strategy Development (Rural) category for its in-house developed Economic Development Strategy and earned an Honourable Mention in the Visitor Attraction & Tourism Product category for the Meet Scout initiative. 
 
The EDCO Awards of Excellence celebrate innovative and collaborative economic development efforts across Ontario, with winning initiatives recognized as best practices for the future. A distinguished panel of professionals from economic development, marketing, advertising, and tourism evaluated the entries. 
 
Norfolk County's 2024-2027 Economic Development Strategy was developed entirely in-house and serves as a roadmap for sustainable growth, investment attraction, and business support in the community. The strategy outlines clear objectives and actions to enhance economic prosperity while maintaining the County's unique rural character. 
 
The Meet Scout initiative, which received an Honourable Mention, introduced Scout, Norfolk County's community ambassador. The initiative aims to enhance resident, business, and visitor engagement by using the mascot to highlight events, local attractions, festivals, and unique experiences across multiple platforms - including print, digital, social media, and in-person.  
 
Norfolk County remains committed to driving economic growth and innovation through forward-thinking initiatives and strong community partnerships. The Economic Development team thanks EDCO for this recognition and looks forward to continuing its efforts to support local businesses and enhance Norfolk's economic landscape. 
 
For more information on the ECDO Awards of Excellence, visit edco.on.ca/awards-of-excellence.

Quotes 

Deputy Mayor Doug Brunton 
"These awards are a testament to the dedication and creativity of our Economic Development team. We are committed to fostering a strong and dynamic local  economy, and these recognitions highlight the impactful work being done to support our businesses and attract visitors to Norfolk County." 
 
John Regan, Director, Economic Development 
"Our team worked diligently to develop a strategy that reflects the needs and aspirations of our business community. Receiving this recognition from EDCO reinforces that our approach is not only effective but also a model for other rural communities." 
 
Susan Gardner, Senior Economic Development Officer 
"We wanted to create an engaging and memorable way to promote all that Norfolk County has to offer," said. "Scout has been a fantastic addition to our efforts, and we're thrilled that this initiative has been recognized by our peers across the province."