PIMA COUNTY, Feb. 18, 2025 – The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) gave its 2024 Future Leader award to Heath Vescovi-Chiordi, director of Pima County’s Economic Development Office, for the work he’s done attracting new businesses to the region, helping small businesses succeed and retaining and expanding established businesses.
Since joining the County in 2022, Vescovi-Chiordi has helped lead Pima County’s efforts to attract a 1,000-job company with $1.2 billion in capital investment and a $3.1 billion economic impact to the state, shifted the focus of the department to work proactively in the community on business retention and expansion, boost foreign direct investment, and guided development of the Board of Supervisors-adopted Economic Development strategic plan.
“I’m really humbled to have received the 2024 Future Leader Award from the International Economic Development Council,” Vescovi-Chiordi said. “It’s truly an honor to be recognized, and I feel it is a real testament to the Pima County Board of Supervisors commitment to economic development and the work our team at Pima County and our regional collaborators are achieving. Everything we do is a team effort, and while I am being recognized for the award, I want to thank everyone who makes our work possible.”
Vescovi-Chiordi came to the County from a similar post with the Town of Marana. While there, he created the Town’s first Downtown Overlay District that included a suite of zoning and incentives for development. He also ran the Marana Regional Airport for two years and coordinated capital improvements to improve its economic competitiveness.
“So many people think economic development is just bringing new businesses to the region,” said Carmine DeBonis Jr., Pima County deputy county administrator. “And while that’s important, Heath has always taken a big-picture view of Pima County’s economic development goals by also prioritizing small businesses, helping our already-established businesses succeed and thrive and looking at strategic opportunities on the other side of the border. It’s what has made Heath such a great fit for our County. This recognition is a testament to his hard work.”
The International Economic Development Council will honor award winners at its 2025 Leadership Summit Feb. 23-25 in Washington, D.C.
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