SMARTstartPasco EDC Accredited by the International Economic Development Council
February 18, 2025
Since 1987, Pasco EDC has fostered a strong partnership funded by corporate and public investors focused on the economic vitality of Pasco County.
PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA (February 18, 2025) — The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) announces that the Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) has been recognized as one of 86 economic development organizations accredited by IEDC as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO).
“Pasco EDC displays the professionalism, commitment, and technical expertise that is deserving of this honor,” said IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle.
The AEDO program is a comprehensive peer review process that measures economic development organizations against commonly held standards in the profession. The program consists of two phases: a documentation review and an onsite visit. Each phase is designed to evaluate information about the structure, organization, funding, programs, and staff of the candidate economic development organization.
“Pasco EDC’s dedication to stimulating balanced and diversified growth by providing leadership and relevant programs is clearly recognized by this honor from the IEDC. I am especially proud of our team and their commitment to helping others” shared Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC President/CEO.
Pasco EDC has many recent notable successes including the sale of three (3) properties marketed through its Ready Sites Program where those projects total nearly $500 million dollars in capital investment and over 1,200 news jobs. SMARTstart, a Pasco EDC Program designed to help entrepreneurs and launch small businesses, has three (3) SMARTstart Entrepreneur Centers throughout Pasco County which focus on providing support from five (5) main pillars: Workspace, Education, Collaboration, Funding, and Guidance. The SMARTstart program launched a successful Rapid Prototyping Bootcamp in fall 2024 and currently has 43 incubator members, with numerous companies recently launching digital technology software/platforms, food businesses, and more. Over the last five (5) years, 12 organizations have recognized Pasco EDC with over 30 awards/honors.
Not only did the organization receive its overall accreditation, but two (2) members of the senior staff have personal accreditations through IEDC. Tom Ryan, Vice President, Business Development has been with the organization for 12 years and received his Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) in 2021. Dan Mitchell, SMARTstart Program Director, has led SMARTstart for six (6) years, and was among the first group of individuals to receive his Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP) in 2022.
Earning the AEDO accreditation tells the community and prospects that Pasco EDC has attained a measure of excellence assuring that their trust is well-placed, and their business is in good hands.
"Having a career in higher education, I am very familiar with the caliber an organization must meet to receive an accreditation. This is a huge distinction for the Pasco EDC to receive validation from IEDC," shared Staceyann Sinclair Jibbison, Chair of Pasco EDC Board of Directors and Vice President of Campus Operations at Rasmussen University. "Our community and investors can be proud, knowing the Pasco EDC is committed to economic excellence by improving quality of life in the region."
Maintenance of the AEDO status is required every three years and is accomplished through documentation submission and/or onsite visits by a team of the AEDO subcommittee.
The International Economic Development Council is the largest membership association serving economic and community development professionals in the world. With over 5,000 members nationwide and abroad, IEDC offers the economic development profession one source for information and professional development, one voice for the profession and one force for advocacy. For more information on IEDC or the AEDO program, call Dana Crater at (910) 821.0245; fax (202) 223.4745; write to IEDC at 1275 K Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005; email dcrater@iedconline.org; or visit IEDC’s website at http://www.iedconline.org.
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About Pasco Economic Development Council
The Pasco Economic Development Council is committed to developing Florida's most competitive climate for business growth by providing businesses, that seek to start, move, or grow in the North Tampa Bay area, a comprehensive suite of programs that can help them to reach their full economic potential. Since 1987, Pasco EDC has fostered a strong partnership funded by corporate and public investors focused on the economic vitality of Pasco County. Discover more at www.pascoedc.com.