The Liberty County Development Authority recently received an award of excellence for one of its marketing projects at the Southern Economic Development Council annual conference, held Aug. 3-5 in Memphis, Tennessee.
The award recognized a promotional gift featuring products from Liberty County industries. The gifts featured items from International Greetings, a manufacturer of high-quality gift wrap and stationery products that employs about 150 in Midway Industrial Park, and tea varieties from Florapharm Tea, a German tea manufacturer whose American distribution operation opened in Hinesville Technology Park in 2012.
The Southern Economic Development Council presented the award in the SEDC 2014 Communications Awards competition in the General Purpose Promotion — Large Division category.
“We are honored to receive high recognition in a 17-state competition for a marketing product that features Liberty County business success stories alongside each company’s merchandise,” LCDA CEO Ronald E. Tolley said. “This gift showcases the character of these businesses, educates recipients about the benefits of locating within Liberty County and invites recipients to come grow globally in our community.”   
The Southern Economic Development Council is the oldest and largest regional economic development association in North America with 750 members from organizations in 17 states in the South.