The City of Mesa Office of Economic Development (Mesa OED) has received a 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for the Mesa AI-Enabled Economic Development Intelligence System in the category of Innovative Economic Development. Mesa OED will be honored at the IEDC 2026 Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, Oct. 25-28.

“Mesa continues to lead by embracing innovative tools that help us compete for quality jobs and investment,” said Mayor Mark Freeman. “This recognition reflects the forward-thinking work of our Economic Development team and our commitment to using technology to better serve businesses considering Mesa for their next location or expansion. By working smarter and responding faster, we are strengthening Mesa’s reputation as a premier destination for business.”

The Mesa AI-Enabled Economic Development Intelligence System is a written operating standard that guides how Mesa OED uses AI for research, analysis and business development. It establishes a consistent, responsible approach requiring authoritative sources, confidence labels and clear separation between verified facts and analyst judgment. The system supports market profiles, benchmarking, site-selection research, executive briefings, CRM support and prospect responses, helping staff work faster while maintaining human review, quality and credibility.

“I couldn’t be more pleased to see this innovative project recognized,” said Mesa Economic Development Director Jaye O’Donnell. “Our AI-Enabled Economic Development Intelligence System has transformed how we respond to prospective businesses, significantly reducing response times and making it faster and easier to provide companies with the information they need when considering Mesa for a new location or expansion.”

“The City of Mesa Office of Economic Development is leading the field of excellence in economic development with its AI-Enabled Economic Development Intelligence System. This award shines a spotlight on Mesa Office of Economic Development’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 the City of Mesa to celebrate their 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.