Commerce City receives IEDC Excellence Award

The City of Commerce City has received a 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for the work of the Commerce City Promise program. The award was bestowed for the organization’s work in the Postsecondary Education Partnership category for the 25,000-200,000-population group. Commerce City will be honored at the IEDC 2026 Annual Conference in New Orleans in October.

"Commerce City is leading the field of excellence in economic development with its Commerce City Promise program. This award shines a spotlight on Commerce City’s commitment to its community and showcases the significant impact of economic development,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO. “IEDC is honored to present this award to Commerce City to celebrate their leadership and innovation in the field."

Commerce City Promise is a groundbreaking partnership between the city and the Community College of Aurora that provides no-cost access to short-term credential programs for all Commerce City residents. This opportunity is fully funded through the city's ARPA-supported Advancing Commerce City Together (ACT) initiative.

“As a city, we know that our greatest asset is our people. When we invest in them, we strengthen not only their opportunities for career advancement, but the entire community”, said City Manager Jason Rogers. “The Commerce City Promise program creates a pathway for residents to earn the certificates and credentials they need to advance in their careers and build a brighter future. We are honored to receive this award, but even more proud to see the real difference this program is making in the lives of our residents and our community.”

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.

Learn more about the Commerce City Promise program at c3gov.com/Promise.