Atlanta business receives 2012 Edie Award for economic development

[May 17, 2012]  CHICAGO -- What do a Chrysler plant in Belvidere, a produce distribution operation in Chicago, a new Navistar headquarters in Lisle, a new steel plant in Chicago and an artisan shop in Atlanta all have in common?

The answer is that yesterday (Wednesday) all five projects were announced as winners of the Economic Development in Illinois Award, known as the Edie Award. The annual award is given jointly by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Development Council to recognize significant economic development projects finished in the prior year throughout Illinois.

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce and Illinois Development Council asked for nominations from across the state for projects completed in 2011. An awards committee reviewed the nominees and determined which projects were worthy of an Edie Award. The Edies will be formally presented in Chicago on June 8 at the annual meeting of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

A news release about the awards provided the following information on the Atlanta winner:

Arch Street Artisan, Atlanta -- The Atlanta Betterment Fund was created in July 2008 to help ensure the quality of life in Atlanta by helping the community's businesses and services survive and thrive. The ABF initiated the idea for the Arch Street shop in January of 2011 because it would help local residents who were known for crafting unique products such as jewelry, woodworking, homemade candy and stained glass, but who did not have the resources to open their own business location from which to sell their products. The ABF decided to fund a central commercial location that could be shared by local artisans and out of which they could collectively market and sell their products.

The ABF recruited the artisans and worked with them to renovate a vacant commercial space in downtown Atlanta. The shop opened in July of 2011 and has increased sales tax revenue for the city and provided a unique and fun shopping experience for locals and visitors alike.

For information on the other award winners, see the news release from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

[Text from Illinois Chamber of Commerce news release received from the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce]