{"id":7538,"date":"2021-05-04T14:02:55","date_gmt":"2021-05-04T18:02:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greaterlouisville.com\/?p=7538"},"modified":"2021-05-04T14:13:01","modified_gmt":"2021-05-04T18:13:01","slug":"louisville-forward-gli-jointly-recognized-as-top-economic-development-group-by-site-selection-magazine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greaterlouisville.com\/press-releases\/louisville-forward-gli-jointly-recognized-as-top-economic-development-group-by-site-selection-magazine\/","title":{"rendered":"Louisville Forward, GLI jointly recognized as top economic development group by Site Selection magazine"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mayor awards GE Appliances with the Louisville Metro Government Partners in Performance Improvement and Government Innovation Award<\/em><\/p>\n

Louisville, Ky.<\/strong> (May 4, 2021) \u2013 Mayor Greg Fischer today announced that Louisville Forward, the city\u2019s economic and community development organization, and Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI), the metro chamber of commerce and regional economic development organization who represents 15 county partners, have been jointly recognized as a Top U.S. Economic Development Organization for 2020 by Site Selection magazine.<\/p>\n

This is the seventh straight year Louisville Forward has received the Mac Conway Award for its economic development efforts and the fifth consecutive year that Louisville Forward and GLI have shared the award for their regional efforts.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf there was ever a year that economic development was to be challenged, it was 2020,\u201d said Mayor Fischer. \u201cYet, the teams at Louisville Forward and GLI worked with businesses to support their needs during this critical time and embraced calls for racial justice, all while still doing the daily work of encouraging businesses to locate here or expand their already successful operations. I know these teams are ready to continue tackling these challenges head-on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Amidst a pandemic, and in addition to continuing to work economic development projects, Louisville Forward, GLI and other stakeholders have been leading the city\u2019s Build Back Better Together plan, which addressed economic recovery and strengthening its commitment to racial justice and racial equity. Louisville Forward, led by director and co-chief Rebecca Fleischaker, helped about 900 businesses through COVID-19 relief loans and grants, and put funds toward the new Black Business Association, Buy Black Lou\u2019s expanded vendor portal Black Contractors Network and a minority business incubator. GLI has identified inclusion as one of six pillars of its five-year strategic plan, launching the Power to Prosper Minority Business Accelerator, and most recently, launching Greater Louisville\u2019s Racial Equity Pledge that unites businesses with a common goal of advancing economic equity in the region.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition to our traditional work in talent attraction and retention, workforce development and pro-business advocacy, our work in economic development shifted to prioritize creating a more inclusive economy. To continue attracting top-tier businesses, we must shift our national reputation and become known as a city that celebrates diversity,\u201d said Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, President and CEO of GLI. \u201cI am thrilled our partnership with Louisville Forward has once again been recognized through this award and am proud of the projects that have resulted from our collaboration.\u201d<\/p>\n

Significant projects highlighted by Site Selection were:<\/p>\n