To The Leader

 

Jessica Hill, Executive Director, Orange County Economic Development Corporation has been awarded re-certification by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) effective April 1, 2019.

Hill first achieved the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation in 2016. CEcD recertification, required every three years, was awarded to Hill who met demanding requirements for continuing education and service to the profession. With ten years of economic development practice, Hill has experience in small business lending, site selection, project negotiation and community development, including project development in excess of $300M.

The designation of Certified Economic Developer is a highly recognized international recognition that denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to professional growth. Hill first earned certification by passing a rigorous three-part, two-day examination, testing her knowledge, proficiency, and judgment in the key areas of economic development.

As a highly skilled economic development practitioner, Hill and over 1,000 other Certified Economic Developers, including City of Orange Economic Development Director, Jay Trahan, work with public officials, business leaders, and community members to create and retain high-quality jobs, establish economic vibrancy and improve quality of life for the people they serve.

The International Economic Development Council is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,000 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 are engaged in the full range of economic development experience.

Given the breadth of economic development work, members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities and a variety of other institutions.