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5th/3rd Donates to LEDA Continuing Ed

February 2, 2009

Fifth Third Foundation Supports Leadership Development at LEDA

Establishes Professional Scholar Program

Fifth Third Foundation recently presented the Lincoln Economic Development Association (LEDA) with a check for $5,000 to support LEDA’s professional development and training program. The grant establishes a Fifth Third Professional Scholar Program at LEDA that is designed to help employees gain cutting edge knowledge that will help improve the community.

Fifth Third Bank Lincoln County executive Micah Lee presented the check to Pete Acker, Chairman of the Lincoln Economic Development Association, on behalf of the Foundation and Fifth Third Bank – North Carolina bank president Robert James at LEDA’s annual retreat. LEDA Chairman Pete Acker, President and CEO of Carolinas Medical Center – Lincoln, thanked Mr. Lee and Fifth Third, acknowledging not only their generous contribution to LEDA’s continuing education program but also the bank’s donation of the site upon which the new economic development offices are located at 502 East Main Street. Mr. Acker said, “Fifth Third bank continues to be a major corporate advocate of economic development and growth in Lincoln County and has been an important part of the success the Lincoln Economic Development Association has enjoyed. Because of support like this, LEDA has been instrumental in bringing new business to the area and supporting existing industry and insuring success to all involved.”

The grant will be put to immediate use for LEDA’s Business Development Manager, Kim Phillips, who will now attend the Basic Economic Development program in Texas. This course highlights such topics as strategic planning, finance, business retention and expansion and business attraction and marketing. The course is accredited by the International Economic Development Council and is part of its professional development program.

In addition, Executive Director Barry Matherly is participating in the American Leadership Forum, a national network dedicated to building stronger communities and strengthening leaders to serve the public good. The yearlong program includes sessions on conflict management, ethics, diversity, and civic and collaborative leadership.

Matherly spoke about the gift, saying “Educational opportunities such as these not only boost the knowledge of executives involved, but also provide a national perspective on best practices and tools to use in the community to support economic development. With economic challenges on the front page of every daily publication, participation in these courses keeps executives in the forefront of the profession and provides a proactive approach to tackling today’s market.”