Madera County Economic Development Commission (MCEDC) has been announced as the California Association of Local Economic Development’s (CALED) Award of Excellence winner for Freedom Industrial Park.
Madera County Economic Development Commission (MCEDC) has been announced as the California Association of Local Economic Development’s (CALED) Award of Excellence Winner for Freedom Industrial Park. Each year CALED invites members and non-members to participate in highlighting their economic development achievements and success stories. The award was granted in the category of Economic Development Partnerships. King Husein, CEO of Span Construction, owner of Freedom Industrial Park said, “Freedom Industrial Park is the result of a unique and positive partnership between the Madera County Economic Development Commission, City of Madera, and Span Construction & Engineering. We have worked with cities and EDC ‘s in many parts of the country but the cooperation and can-do approach of these agencies is the best we have experienced.”
Seven agencies statewide applied for the top spot and MCEDC’s application was selected. The award winning public/private partnership was successful in opening Freedom Industrial Park. “A project like this doesn’t happen without an exceptional private sector partner. Span brought performance and old fashioned integrity to every aspect of the Freedom Industrial Park Project”, said Madera City Administrator, David Tooley. “The importance of trust between public and private sector partners cannot be overemphasized”, he added.
The partnership turned 98 acres of unimproved industrial land into a shovel ready site. The park has 17 fully improved parcels ranging from 3 to 20 acres. The first parcel has been purchased by Deerpoint Group Inc. and they have built the first facility in the park. Deerpoint will provide 70 jobs. At full build out, the park is expected to add approximately 1 million square feet of industrial space, increasing the county’s 7 million square foot base by 14 percent and potentially create up to 1,000 new jobs.
All three partners will be recognized at CALED’s 36th Annual Conference, April 28th in San Francisco.
