~ The City of Mesa Office of Economic Development (Mesa OED) has been recognized for its innovative approach to economic development with a prestigious award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award was given to Mesa OED for their Mesa AI-Enabled Economic Development Intelligence System in the category of Innovative Economic Development.

Mayor Mark Freeman expressed his pride in the city's achievement, stating, "Mesa continues to lead by embracing innovative tools that help us compete for quality jobs and investment." He also credited the hard work and forward-thinking mindset of the Economic Development team for this recognition. The use of technology, specifically AI, has allowed Mesa to better serve businesses considering the city for their next location or expansion.

The Mesa AI-Enabled Economic Development Intelligence System is a written operating standard that guides how Mesa OED utilizes AI for research, analysis, and business development. This system ensures a consistent and responsible approach by requiring authoritative sources, confidence labels, and clear separation between verified facts and analyst judgment. It supports various tasks such as market profiles, benchmarking, site-selection research, executive briefings, CRM support, and prospect responses. By utilizing this system, staff can work faster while maintaining human review, quality, and credibility.

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Jaye O'Donnell, Director of Mesa Economic Development, expressed her delight at receiving this recognition. She stated that the AI-Enabled Economic Development Intelligence System has transformed how they respond to prospective businesses. It has significantly reduced response times and made it easier to provide companies with the necessary information when considering Mesa for a new location or expansion.

Nathan Ohle, President and CEO of IEDC praised Mesa OED's achievement saying that they are "leading the field of excellence in economic development" with their AI-Enabled Economic Development Intelligence System. He also highlighted how this award showcases the significant impact of economic development on communities.

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

Mesa OED will be honored at the IEDC 2026 Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana from October 25-28. This award serves as a testament to Mesa's commitment to its community and its dedication to driving economic growth through innovation.

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