The Taylor Economic Development Corporation was honored with a Community Economic Development Award from the Texas Economic Development Council at their annual conference Oct 22.
Mark Thomas, the director of Taylor EDC, said receiving this award was a great honor.
“It’s really the pinnacle in economic development,” Thomas said. “This is the award you want to win. It’s very competitive.” According to TEDC officials, the award recognizes exceptional efforts by EDC entities that contribute to the vitality of their communities and the state of Texas through ”creativity, leadership, and partnership in the achievement of business retention, business recruitment and community improvement.”
Taylor EDC was selected from among four other EDC nominees in the population category of between 10.001 to 20,000 people, who were all judged based on five criteria: innovativeness, transferability, community commitment and leverage, measured objectives, and secondary benefits.
“There are many communities that compete, and to take the award in our population category is a big deal,” Thomas said. “For Taylor to be recognized for the effort that it took to bring Samsung to our community… It was absolutely recognized. Everyone celebrated the win for Taylor, and they were happy for us. It is a big project that will establish Taylor in the region and even Texas for semiconductor manufacturing.”
Taylor EDC is a non-profit corporation funded by a one-half percent sales tax from the City of Taylor that works to promote economic development in Taylor through grants and loans to new and existing businesses who bring jobs to the area, incentives, advocacy and other services.
“ There are many communities that compete, and to take the award in our population category is a big deal.”
- Mark Thomas, the director of Taylor EDC
