Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance Receives 2025 Excellence in Economic Development

Fairhope, Ala. – The Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance (BCEDA) has received three Excellence in Economic Development Awards this year from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), recognizing outstanding achievements in communities with populations of 200,000–500,000.

Baldwin Preparatory Academy earned the Silver Award in the category of Talent Development & Retention, a testament to its commitment to address workforce challenges, foster economic growth, and prepare students for future careers. Launched by Baldwin County Public Schools in partnership with BCEDA, the $100 million facility is the state’s first dedicated career-tech high school and blends academics with real-world experience. 

BCEDA also received Silver Awards in IEDC’s Promotional Awards category for communications that went beyond standard reporting to deliver distinctive storytelling tools. The 2024 Year in Review highlighted initiatives and measurable results in a creative format that engaged stakeholders. The 30-Year Economic Impact Report, produced for BCEDA’s anniversary, showcased three decades of contributions, investor ROI, and a bold vision for the future. Together, the reports reflected BCEDA’s ability to communicate its mission in a compelling way.

Additionally, earlier this year BCEDA and Baldwin County Public Schools earned the Site Selectors Guild’s 2025 Project with a Purpose Award for Baldwin Prep, recognizing projects that create community benefits beyond job creation.

“We are honored to receive national recognition for these projects,” said Lee Lawson, BCEDA President & CEO. “These awards reflect the talent of our team, the trust of our partners, and our shared commitment to Baldwin County’s economic growth. We’re especially thankful to the private sector and industry partners for coming alongside our school system to create an innovative and collaborative environment for student success.”