[YREKA], - The Siskiyou County Economic Development Council announced that their recently launched website has been named the best website by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The IEDC is the world's largest membership organization serving the economic development profession. A panel of economic development experts from both the public and private sectors selected Siskiyou County’s site from among many other submissions.

IEDC recognizes only the most successful, innovative, and effective leaders, programs, partnerships, and promotional materials. Winners of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards must demonstrate to an experienced panel of judges that they are at the forefront of the economic development profession.

“This is very exciting for us,” said EDC Director Tonya Dowse “To be recognized internationally for our website is a great honor.”  The new website, launched in July of 2007, is seeing strong traffic from around the world. The number of visitors has increased 70% already. 

The site incorporates a number of business attraction features recommended by independent marketing consultants. The Siskiyou County Prospector allows a potential new business to search available properties and buildings throughout the county using a geographic information system (GIS) driven database.

Dowse added, “Funding of this site was a team effort involving the combination of grant funds by the County of Siskiyou and the cities of Etna, Montague, Weed and Tule Lake. Exciting things happen when we pool our resources and work together.” 

The award was presented to Ms. Dowse at the IEDC annual meeting in Atlanta last month.