SALISBURY — The Rowan Economic Development Commission (EDC) was recently recognized by the International Economic Development Council as a recipient of the Excellence in Economic Development award at the council’s annual conference in Indianapolis last week.

The EDC received a “silver award” for its new website at www.rowanedc.com.

The award recognizes the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials and the year’s most influential leaders.

“We were thrilled to earn the silver this year for our new website,” said Rowan EDC President Rod Crider in an announcement last week. “With the help of Miller-Davis in Salisbury, we set out to completely redesign our website two years ago and completed it last year.”

Crider said the website was “the most important marketing tool that the EDC’s possesses” and that it was important to have a strong website that was informative and attractive.

“It is deeply gratifying that a group of our peers validated our design and content strategy,” he said.

According to the EDC’s announcement, the IEDC has 34 award categories that honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban and rural communities.

2019 IEDC Board Chair Tracye McDaniel said that the recipients of the Excellence in Economic Development award represent “the very best of economic development and exemplify the ingenuity, integrity, and leadership” that their profession strives for each day.

According to the announcement, awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers from around the world, following a nomination process.

The IEDC was said to have received over 400 submissions from 12 countries.