Invest Greenville, a public-private partnership focused on promoting economic development in Greenville-Pitt County, received four 2026 Excellence in Economic Development awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for the 25,000 to 200,000 population group. The organization will be honored with a gold award for its Grow in Greenville website, which is also a Best in Show nominee, and three silver awards at the IEDC Annual Conference in New Orleans in October.
“Each year our team members continue to demonstrate leadership in their respective areas of economic development. In 2025, IEDC awarded Invest Greenville the Economic Development Organization of the Year, and this year, our talent programming is competing for the overall Best in Show. The passion they have for their work is inspiring and continues to generate recognition for Greenville and Pitt County. These awards reflect the creativity, collaboration, and intentional work our team and partners put into strengthening our community,” shared Josh Lewis, president and CEO of Invest Greenville. “Economic development goes far beyond business recruitment, and we are proud to be recognized for programs that support talent, tell our community’s story, and create meaningful opportunities for the area we serve.”
The gold award recognizes the Grow in Greenville website, a talent attraction and retention resource designed to help prospective and current residents discover opportunities to live, work, and build a life in Greenville-Pitt County. The website is also one of 15 finalists from around the world for IEDC’s Best in Show award, which will be announced on October 27. The silver awards include the Innovation in Economic Development Week category for Invest Greenville’s 2025 Economic Development Week celebration; the Magazine and Newsletter category for the intelligENCe: Economic Insight and Trends research report series; and the Talent Development and Retention category for involvement with the 2025 Better Skills, Better Jobs Career Expo.
“Invest Greenville is leading the field of excellence in economic development with its projects and programs. These awards shine a spotlight on the organization’s commitment to its community and showcase the significant impact of economic development,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC president and CEO. “IEDC is honored to present these awards to Invest Greenville 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.
“To be recognized across four very different categories is especially meaningful because it represents so many facets of the work we do to market our community, engage our local talent, share valuable economic data, and connect people with opportunity,” said Maria Satira, vice president of marketing and talent programming for Invest Greenville. “Each of these initiatives was strengthened by collaboration with community partners, and this recognition reinforces the value of finding creative and engaging ways to advance economic development in Greenville-Pitt County.”
This year's awards take on special meaning, as IEDC celebrates its 100th anniversary. In recognizing excellence in economic development, IEDC and its partners are celebrating successes and shining a spotlight on programs that inspire and prepare the field for the next century of economic development. Learn more about IEDC and the Excellence in Economic Development Awards by clicking here.
Media Relations Contact:
Maria Satira
Vice President, Marketing and Talent Programming
Invest Greenville
satira@investgreenvillenc.com
252-414-2875
