GSEC became the first California economic development organization to be named #1 in the world by IEDC
SACRAMENTO, CA –The Greater Sacramento Economic Council (GSEC) has been named the #1 economic development organization in the world, earning the 2025 Economic Development Organization (EDO) of the Year Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
The world’s largest membership organization for economic developers honored GSEC with the Gold Award for EDO of the Year, along with Gold for Paid Advertising Campaign and Silver for Multimedia Promotion for its regional brand campaign: Be more. Do Greater Sacramento.
The award highlights GSEC’s measurable impact over the past decade in driving sustainable economic growth, attracting transformative investment, fostering innovation and building a more equitable economy for the six-county Greater Sacramento region.
“Being named the #1 economic development organization in the world is an extraordinary honor, reflecting Greater Sacramento’s bold vision and dynamic leadership,” said Mark Friedman, Board Chair of GSEC and Founder & Chairman of Fulcrum. “This global recognition celebrates the powerful collaboration of business leaders, public officials and community partners who have transformed our region into a beacon of innovation and opportunity.”
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.
“This prestigious IEDC recognition celebrates the momentum of Greater Sacramento’s economic development network,” said Crystal Bethke, Chair of GSEC’s Economic Development Directors Taskforce (EDDT) and Director of Economic Development at Sacramento County. “Through bold collaboration, GSEC and our partners are attracting transformative industries, empowering local businesses and fueling growth that propels our region toward enduring prosperity.”
10 years of driving growth and opportunity in Greater Sacramento.
In just a decade, GSEC has transformed the region’s economy with measurable impact:
- $17.5 billion in economic output generated
- Established $100 million fund for affordable housing
- Placed 135 companies into the region, creating / retaining 36,900 jobs
- Inclusion ranking improved from 84th in 2014 to seventh in 2025.
- Launched Digital Upskill program to digitally upskill forty disadvantaged and displaced workers and assist more than 700 learners through spin-off programs.
- Decreased the region’s dependency on government jobs by 10% from 2009 to 2024.
- Greater Sacramento’s 10-year growth ranking improved from 22nd to 10th nationally.
- The region’s 10-year prosperity ranking improved from 28th to 20th.
- Grew significant recognition of the region through features in the Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Forbes, CNBC, Fortune, Los Angeles Times and Fast Company.
Sources: Lightcast, 2025 Q2, Brookings Institution 2025; GSE
GSEC is a public-private partnership representing more than 50 CEOs and 22 communities. By uniting the region under one cohesive economic strategy, GSEC focuses on growing tradable-sector industries to enhance global competitiveness, expand opportunity and create long-term prosperity. The six-county Greater Sacramento region spans more than 22,000 square miles, stretching from Lake Tahoe to Davis, and is home to more than 2.6 million residents.
To learn more about Greater Sacramento Economic Council, visit Greatersacramento.com. To view the full list of IEDC’s 2025 award winners, visit IEDC.com.
About the Greater Sacramento Economic Council (GSEC)
The Greater Sacramento Economic Council is the catalyst for innovative growth strategies in the Capital Region of California. The organization spearheads community-led direction to retain, attract, grow and scale tradable sectors, develop advanced industries and create jobs and investment throughout a six-county region. Greater Sacramento represents a collaboration between local and state governments, market leaders, influencers and stakeholders, with the sole mission of driving inclusive economic growth. The Greater Sacramento region was founded on discovery, built on leadership and fueled by innovation.
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/ .