August 20, 2026 | BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) received four 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The awards recognize BCIC’s work in strategic planning, economic equity and inclusion, public reporting, and business education.
BCIC received the following honors:
- Gold Award – Print Brochure: BCIC Strategic Plan 2025-2029
- Silver Award – Economic Equity & Inclusion: Quality of Life Grants
- Silver Award – Annual Report: The Annual Report: Covering FY 2024 + 2025, A Special Print Edition
- Bronze Award – Special Event: What the Permit? / Permitting Made Simple Series
The awards were presented within the 25,000 to 200,000 population group. BCIC representatives will be honored at the IEDC 2026 Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, from October 25 through 28.
“BCIC is leading the field of excellence in economic development with its four award-winning projects and programs. These awards shine a spotlight on BCIC’s commitment to its community and showcase the significant impact of economic development,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO. “IEDC is honored to present these awards to BCIC to celebrate its leadership and innovation in the field.”
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 year’s awards take on special meaning, as IEDC celebrates its 100th anniversary. In recognizing excellence in economic development, IEDC and its partners are celebrating successes and shining a spotlight on programs that inspire and prepare the field for the next century of economic development.
BCIC’s four 2026 awards bring the organization’s total to 17 IEDC Excellence Awards. These recognitions build on BCIC’s standing as the most awarded economic development organization in Rio Grande Valley history. They recognize work across entrepreneurship, strategic planning, innovative financing, business recovery, community development, educational partnerships, special events, public reporting, multimedia communications, and placemaking.
BCIC’s four awards were selected from a highly competitive 2026 field that included 226 total honors across multiple categories. Of those, 73 were awarded Gold for top-tier achievement, 83 received Silver for exceptional performance, and 70 earned Bronze recognition for notable impact. The program also included 15 Best in Show nominees competing for the highest distinction, with 140 unique organizations represented among this year’s honorees, underscoring the breadth and competitiveness of the field in which BCIC’s work was recognized.
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About Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC)
The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) is a Type B economic development corporation. It is dedicated to driving sustainable economic development, enhancing quality of life, fostering innovation, empowering entrepreneurs, supporting strategic projects, and cultivating partnerships that support Brownsville’s thriving and vibrant community. BCIC operates under four core pillars.
The first is Community Development, achieved through initiatives like the BIG Grants, which support the revitalization and preservation of Historic Downtown Brownsville, and the Quality of Life Grants, designed to enhance the community’s well-being. These grants fund projects that create welcoming and inclusive spaces, improve amenities, and promote activities that benefit residents and visitors.
The second pillar is Finance Programs, which support local small businesses by providing financial resources to help them start or expand. This, in turn, creates jobs with livable wages, contributing to the overall economic stability of the region. The third pillar is Innovation & Entrepreneurship, where BCIC supports the entrepreneurial journey with incubation, acceleration, and continuous assistance.
Lastly, BCIC’s Marketing and Communications efforts drive public engagement by amplifying the impact of programs, fostering community pride, and promoting Brownsville as an attractive hub for living, working, and investing. For more information, visit www.brownsvillecic.com.
For media inquiries, please contact Nelson I. Amaro at namaro@brownsvillecic.com or (956) 538-1910.
About the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
Based in Washington, D.C., IEDC is the world’s largest association for economic developers. Originating a century ago, IEDC is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that represents the entire economic development profession. Members include practitioners in economic development through local, state, provincial, and federal governments, non-profits, public-private partnerships, entrepreneurial support organizations, chambers of commerce, utilities, universities, and a variety of other organizations.
IEDC is the leading voice in driving the future of the field. IEDC provides professional development through courses and certifications, networking, conferences, research, policy advocacy, partnerships, and other valuable offerings to economic development professionals across the globe. For more information, please visit www.IEDC.org.