County of Brant staff were recognized by the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
Staff were recognized for their work connected to the Downtown Dig, a collaborative project involving multiple County divisions and the Downtown Paris BIA, focused on supporting local businesses and the community during the reconstruction.
Each year, the EDCO Awards of Excellence recognize outstanding economic development initiatives from across Ontario. The County received the following 2025 EDCO Awards of Excellence:
• Business Attraction & Retention – Rural
• Excellence in Rural Economic Development
“We are very proud of our team here at the County, and these awards highlight our ongoing commitment to supporting local businesses and the community during periods of construction, such as the Downtown Dig,” said David Bailey, Mayor for the County of Brant. “While construction can be challenging, Council and staff have the best interests of the community in mind, and I am pleased to see this work recognized through these achievements. These awards also emphasize the importance of supporting our local businesses throughout the construction season. While infrastructure improvements are necessary, choosing to shop local truly makes a difference for our businesses.”
Adding to the recognition, Erica Grimes, Downtown Construction Liaison, represented the County on a conference panel discussing strategies to manage construction impacts; highlighting Brant’s leadership in rural economic development.
