Canada's largest Provincial economic development association
Providing leadership to support our Municipalities to foster economic prosperity, support sustainability and strengthen member capacity.
View the current career opportunities in economic development across the province on EDCO's career page.
OUR MEMBERS SIMPLY SAY IT BEST!
"I had an incredible experience taking part in the inaugural 2019 Bright Ideas competition. I was able to delve deeper into municipal innovation best practices, develop a toolkit that I've tapped into in my current role, and get to work with colleagues across Ontario that I may not have otherwise met. It's a great opportunity to network with like-minded professionals while learning more about the industry we love."
"Through the 2024 EDCO Mentorship Program, I have grown professionally over the past year thanks to my mentor. I am truly appreciative of the additional career development that has been made possible by the EDCO Scholarship Fund. Participating in Year 1 of the Ec.D. Certificate at the University of Waterloo will build on my current economic development knowledge, paving the way for future exciting opportunities. I look forward to continuing to grow and contribute."
"Participating in the Bright Ideas Program offered by the Economic Development Council of Ontario was a game-changer for me as a newcomer to economic development. The program's hands-on approach and emphasis on innovation provided me with a solid foundation, valuable skills, and a supportive network, propelling my journey in the field. I highly recommend the Bright Ideas Program to anyone seeking a dynamic and transformative experience in economic development." – Madeline Riley, Bright Ideas Competition 2023, Economic Development Coordinator, Town of Whitby
"I want to express my sincere gratitude for your scholarship program, which has
been invaluable as I shifted my career into Economic Development later in life. This
support has allowed me to pursue new educational opportunities without the
financial strain that came at a time where personal changes affected me
financially. Your commitment to helping individuals at all stages of their careers,
particularly those in mid-life, ensures that people from diverse backgrounds can
continue to grow professionally. By providing scholarships to individuals with
varied life experiences, you are contributing to a more inclusive and equitable
workforce. Thank you for empowering and making a difference in the lives of
people like me and for championing diversity, equity, and inclusion."
"The Bright Ideas competition was extremely beneficial to my career as an Economic Development Professional. Being able to explore a topic of interest to both me and my colleagues, performance measurement, I was able to critically think of how economic developers measured performance in the past and make recommendations on how the profession can measure performance moving forward. Additionally, getting to work closely with my incredible teammates Amanda (St. John) and Alia (Abbas) not only gave me to incredible professional contacts, but gave me two great new friends! Whether you are new to the field of Economic Development or have been in the industry for years, I would highly recommend the Bright Ideas competition to you".
"The Emerging Professional Scholarship from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO), is supporting me in pursuing my Masters in Economic Development and Innovation at the University of Waterloo. This opportunity will enhance my role as a Senior Policy Analyst with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, where I will working towards bringing together economic development offices, government officials, and the business community to tackle Ontario's economic challenges. Thank you to EDCO for empowering emerging leaders like myself to drive innovation and collaboration for a stronger future."
As an EDCO member for over 10 years, being part of this organizations has been pivotal in the development of my career as an economic development professional, as well as my teams success in driving economic growth and prosperity in the communities we serve. Through scholarships and educational opportunities we continue to learn and grow, and the network of EDCO members is invaluable when seeking support, resources and tools to assist in developing and implementing programs and services that foster overall community development in our Cities and Towns.
As an Economic Development professional in Ontario I see an incredible amount of value in the organizational membership with EDCO. From an organizational standpoint it results in significant cost savings for conferences, training and accommodations. It's a great talent recruitment perk especially when onboarding emerging professionals who can take advantage of EDCO's Scholarship and Mentorship programs, and explore other professional development opportunities like the annual Bright Idea's Competition.
Personally, I've really enjoyed the opportunity to participate on EDCO Committees and collaborate with others to build programming that's relevant to my community. I've built life-long connections and friendships with fellow EDCO members and have benefitted greatly from the insights and expertise of peers across the Province. I would highly recommend membership for anyone in the business support ecosystem: whether your role is in municipal economic development, post-secondary or other business support agencies, all are welcome in the EDCO community!