Wednesday June 20, 2007

-- Mayor honored for his longtime public service career--

He expanded the airport, helped lure corporate headquarters to Louisville and transformed piles of scrap metal into one of American’s best urban parks.

Now, an international economic development organization is recognizing Mayor Jerry Abramson for his longtime commitment to build and expand the Louisville economy.



The International Economic Development Council, based in Washington D.C., has awarded Abramson its 2007 Leadership Award for Public Service. He will receive the honor during the IEDC’s annual conference this September in Phoenix.

“I am honored that people across the country are taking note of the great things happening in Louisville,” Abramson said. “This award belongs to our entire city because, together, we have transformed our community.”

Abramson is being honored not only for his past achievements, such as the airport expansion and the creation of Waterfront Park, but his recent initiatives including:

• City of Parks, one of the largest urban parks expansion projects in the nation.
• The luring of PharMerica’s headquarters to Louisville.

• Downtown development, with $1.6 billion in construction projects planned or underway, including a new arena and Museum Plaza.

The International Economic Development Council is a non-profit organization of economic development professionals. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, its member, include:

• regional, state, county, and city economic development organizations
• Chambers of commerce and other business agencies
• Community and neighborhood development organizations
• Technology development agencies
• Utility companies
• Educational institutions
• Consultants
• And redevelopment authorities

Each year, the council honors the nation’s and world’s best economic development leaders.

The Leadership Award for Public Service recognizes an elected official who has served as a committed advocate for economic development for at least 10 years in the public sector. Past winners include Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell and Riverside, Calif. Mayor Ronald Loveridge.