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Economic Development Projects Earn Awards

For the seventh year, Trade and Industry Development Magazine has evaluated economic development projects for its CiCi Awards. The awards recognize 30 projects from the past year in two areas: Community Impact and Corporate Investment. Over 700 applications from across the United States were evaluated for the 2012 awards. Governor Bev Perdue and the N.C. Department of Commerce had the honor of announcing two of the winning projects, which were among the many economic development projects announced in North Carolina in 2011.

Semprius, Inc. in Vance County (Commerce developer Bernard Torain) was recognized with a Community Impact Award and Horsehead Corporation (Commerce developer Dallas Hardenbrook) in Rutherford County earned the Corporate Investment Award. Combined, the companies are creating more than 500 jobs and investing about $440 million.The developers received their certifications on Aug. 27.

The CiCi awards feature the largest corporate investment projects. They also recognize projects that may not involve large investments, but notably impacted communities. For the Community Impact Awards, the influencing factor is how the investment will make a difference in the betterment of the community. Read more.