News Release

WASHINGTON - The Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC), the oldest and largest regional economic development association in North America, has named U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) to its 2006 Honor Role.  Spratt was chosen based on his voting record of business-related issues from three national organizations during the 109th Congress.

"The SEDC region has experienced tremendous growth in jobs and capital investments from new and expanding businesses in SEDC's territory we call the ‘American South,’ said SEDC Chairman Garrett Hart.  "This level of growth would have been difficult to achieve without the hard work of our members, their communities and states, and Congress. These legislators have made economic development issues in our region a top priority. Through their continued support of such issues we know our region and the U.S. will remain attractive for new investments," he said.

"The SEDC Honor Roll continues to grow in prestige each year," said Gene Stinson, SEDC president. "This is our tenth year of presenting these awards and each year more members of Congress recognize our organization's Honor Roll as a benchmark in continuing economic expansion in the region," he said.

The SEDC region includes the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland/DC, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

SEDC has more than 900 members representing a variety of backgrounds. From local, regional and state economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, business and industry, utilities, transportation, finance and education, members share a common interest: the promotion and enhancement of the economic development profession.

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