PCDC Newsletter Wins International Award

The International Economic Development Council awards honor the economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the profession.

The Phelps County Development Corporation’s newsletter has been honored with a 2025 Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). 

The recognition comes in the category for communities with populations less than 25,000, and PCDC will be celebrated at the IEDC Annual Conference in Detroit, Michigan, September 15-16.

"PCDC is leading the field of excellence with its newsletter,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO. “This award shines a spotlight on PCDC’s commitment to its community and showcases the significant impact of economic development IEDC is honored to present this award to PCDC to celebrate its leadership and innovation in the field.”

Each year, IEDC honors economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that consistently demonstrate excellence in the field. The honorees lead transformational projects that revitalize communities and advance the practice of economic development.

The PCDC Business Journal newsletter is a quarterly publication distributed to every household in Phelps County, as well as to key leaders and policymakers across Nebraska. Each edition is developed by PCDC staff in collaboration with KRJ Public Relations, led by owner Kristine Jacobson. Together with the PCDC team, KRJPR helps plan content, gather information, write stories, capture photos, and design the publication. In 2025, the newsletter received a fresh new look with an updated masthead and color scheme designed by PCDC Executive Director Ron Tillery. 

The journal is designed to keep readers informed and engaged about economic development in Phelps County by highlighting PCDC programs, business news, and community growth opportunities, all with the goal of supporting and expanding the local economy.

“We’re honored that the PCDC Business Journal has been recognized with this award from such a prestigious organization like IEDC,” PCDC Executive Director Ron Tillery said. “It reflects our commitment to keeping the community informed and engaged in economic development. Partnering with KRJ Public Relations ensures we can share our story in a clear, compelling, and professional way.”

One of the judges commented that the PCDC publication is “a very nice looking business journal. I appreciate the variety of stories that come from community events/happenings.”

Another judge said, “I liked that the Business Journal is mailed to high school alumni. Not sure a lot of EDOs think about this strategy.”

Every year, IEDC looks specifically for economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development.

About PCDC

The Phelps County Development Corporation, or PCDC, leads economic development efforts for Phelps County in south-central Nebraska. PCDC offers assistance programs for local businesses while serving as the single point of contact for primary industry expansions and relocations. PCDC supports a healthy local economy primed for growth. We advocate with local officials and collaborate with regional partners to provide business support. This means businesses can efficiently and effectively carry out their mission with less red tape, fewer hurdles, and more assistance. For more information, visit phelpscountyne.com.

About the International Economic Development Council

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With thousands of 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. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in a full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at https://www.iedconline.org/.