Bonita Springs, Florida (August 18, 2026) – The Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC), the largest regional economic development association in North America, representing 17 states and the world’s best economy builders, has honored the City of Edgerton, Kansas for their outstanding achievements in economic development in the American South. Each year, SEDC reviews economic development projects submitted by organizations from across its footprint, evaluating them for innovation, collaboration, and overall impact. This year, during a ceremony at the 2026 SEDC Annual Conference in Bonita Springs, the City of Edgerton, Kansas were celebrated for economic development program excellence among communities with populations less than 5,000.
“Every year, SEDC recognizes Southern communities that drive economic development excellence. In 2026, we proudly continued this tradition by selecting the CEDA Award Winners,” stated Tim Weston, SEDC Chairman. “Congratulations to all who participated and were ultimately recognized for this significant achievement. The American South remains strong in attracting and retaining jobs due to your unwavering efforts.”
The City of Edgerton and ElevateEdgerton! launched the Dwyer Farms Workforce Housing Initiative to address a housing deficit created by rapid job growth at Logistics Park Kansas City. The 80-acre development adds 279 single-family homes, expanding the town’s housing inventory by nearly 45 percent. Priced between $270,000 and $350,000, the project provides attainable homeownership well below Johnson County’s average sale price of $565,000. The development was unlocked through a four-year effort that reshaped state policy.
ElevateEdgerton! worked with state lawmakers to pass 2023 legislation changing Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) eligibility from county population to municipal size. Edgerton paired its RHID revenues exclusively with public infrastructure needs, leveraging nearly $1 million from an EPA Community Grant to extend critical sewer lines. Dwyer Farms has generated more than $21 million in permitted construction activity with roughly 90 building permits approved to date. The infrastructure extensions have unlocked hundreds of adjacent acres for future growth, catalyzed local commercial investment, and established a replicable model for communities balancing industrial expansion with workforce housing.
“SEDC members are relentlessly and innovatively accelerating economic development across the American South. Collaboratively, our membership operates within a network that has built the equivalent of the 3rd largest economy on the planet and has positioned us for continued progress,” said SEDC President Matt Tackett. “Our members compete successfully in a global marketplace and set the worldwide standard for economic development strategy, as demonstrated by our CEDA Award winners.”
“Dwyer Farms is a perfect example of what can happen when a community is willing to think strategically, stay committed to a long-term vision, and bring the right partners to the table. This project didn’t happen overnight. It was the result of years of work to address the housing needs created by the tremendous job growth at Logistics Park Kansas City and the increased desire for people to want to call Edgerton home” says ElevateEdgerton! President James Oltman.
“Today, that work has delivered something that is incredibly important for Edgerton and for Johnson County — attainable homeownership. With homes priced between $270,000 and $350,000, Dwyer Farms has made Edgerton the most affordable community in Johnson County for families looking to purchase a new home. That is a remarkable outcome in one of the most competitive housing markets in the region.”
SEDC evaluated submissions across categories including business retention and expansion, business development, community development, and community involvement. The CEDA Awards are presented annually at the SEDC Annual Conference, the Council’s largest event. The 2026 conference brought together 700 professionals over three days to celebrate and promote new economic development throughout the American South.
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About SEDC
SEDC is the oldest and largest regional economic development association in North America, with over 1,800 members representing a variety of sectors. From local, regional, and state economic development agencies to chambers of commerce, business and industry, utilities, transportation, finance, and education, members share a common goal: to accelerate economic development in the American South. To learn more about SEDC, visit www.sedc.org.
