On May 31, 2006, Sandy K. Baruah, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, announced the winners of the EDA Excellence in Economic Development Awards 2006 (Awards 2006).

Awards 2006 were presented in award ceremonies held in the winners’ respective communities. Members of each winner’s congressional delegation were invited to join senior EDA officials in the Award presentations.

The Economic Development Administration is proud to announce the winners of the Excellence in Economic Development Awards 2006.

In the category of Urban or Suburban Economic Development the nominations are evaluated to determine how effectively they utilize innovative, market-based strategies to improve urban or suburban economic development. The winner is:

Tinley Park Economic Development
Tinley Park, Illinois

In the category of Rural Economic Development the nominations are evaluated to determine how effectively they utilize innovative, market-based strategies to improve rural economic development results. The winner is:

Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation
Yuba City, California

In the category of Enhancing Regional Competitiveness the nominations are evaluated to determine how effectively they enhance regional competitiveness and support long-term development of the regional economy. The winner is:

Catalyst Connection
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

In the category of Economic Adjustment Strategies the nominations are evaluated to determine how effectively they help communities plan and implement economic adjustment strategies in response to sudden and sever economic dislocations. The winner is:

The City of Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo, Colorado

In the category of Technology-led Economic Development the nominations are evaluated to determine how effectively they support technology-led economic development and reflect the important role of linking universities and industries and technology transfers. The winner is:

North Dakota State University Research and Technology Park, Inc.
Fargo, North Dakota

In the category of Community and Faith-Based Social Entrepreneurship the nominations are evaluated to determine how effectively they advance community and faith-based social entrepreneurship in redevelopment strategies for areas of chronic, economic distress. The winner is:

Saint Patrick Center
St. Louis, Missouri

In the category of Innovation the nominations are evaluated to determine how effectively they incorporate innovative strategies for maximum results. The winner is:

ConnectKentucky
Bowling Green, Kentucky