The following is a press release from the International Economic Development Council.
Washington, DC – Ogden City Corporation won a silver award for the Ogden Business Exchange, a project in the "Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse" category of the International Economic Development Council’s 2020 Excellence in Economic Development Awards Program. The honor was presented last week at an awards ceremony during the IEDC Annual Conference.
"The work of land redevelopment can be a long and challenging journey," said Brandon Cooper, the deputy director of Ogden City Community and Economic Development. "It requires vision, diligence, and extreme collaboration. The successful redevelopment of the Union Stockyards into Utah’s first lifestyle business park is a hallmark achievement for our community and represents the very best work of so many talented and passionate people. We are thrilled to receive this award from our peers in the economic development industry and consider it an honor to be ranked among this year’s cohort of amazing projects."
IEDC's Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world's best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year's most influential leaders. Thirty-five award categories honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers from around the world, following a nomination process held earlier this year. IEDC received over 500 submissions from four countries.
“The winners of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the very best of economic development and exemplify the ingenuity, integrity, and leadership that our profession strives for each and every day,” said Kenny McDonald, 2020 IEDC Board Chair and One Columbus CEO. “We’re honored to recognize the more than 100 communities whose marketing campaigns, projects and partnerships have measurably improved regional quality of life.”
The Ogden Business Exchange (OBE) is a redevelopment project led by Ogden City, which transformed a former stockyard into a 51-acre lifestyle business park.
Historically, the site was home to the Ogden Union Stockyards, which operated from 1917–77 and were known as the biggest stockyards west of Denver. In the 1970s, the stockyards closed due to changes in transportation and food production. The property changed hands several times, eventually falling into disuse and blight.
The goal of the OBE redevelopment project was to create a lifestyle business park preserving history, investing in the community, and creating a location for companies to grow in a unique work environment. Using a complex capital stack, Ogden City completed environmental remediation, demolition, and infrastructure upgrades, and they partnered with a developer to build the business park.
OBE is now home to outdoor companies ENVE Composites and Selle Royal, craft beverage producers Ogden’s Own Distillery and Roosters B Street Brewery, and the nonprofit organization EnableUtah. The taxable value of the site has grown from $3.8 million to $35 million, and the project improved community access to outdoor recreation and addressed environmental issues, which had led to disinvestment for years. Read the full, original story on the Ogden Business Exchange from Ogden City here.
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About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) 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. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at iedconline.org.