International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Presents Award at 2018 FED Forum
WASHINGTON, DC – March 30, 2018 – Charles Bartsch (1951-2018), brownfield expert and former senior advisor for economic development to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was honored for his life’s work on March 26 during the 2018 FED Forum, a conference which focuses on federal economic development policies and programs. Bartsch, was posthumously presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Community and Economic Development. The award was given by the 2018 IEDC Board Chair, Craig Richard, President and CEO, Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation. This award is given to a leader who has had an immense impact on economic and community development throughout his or her career.
“I watched Charlie lead a wide variety of development initiatives during his position as senior advisor for economic development for the EPA. He worked tirelessly to promote inter-agency and public-private financing partnerships that catalyzed land revitalization and site reuse across the country. Nobody understood nor understands the concept of brownfields and how it has evolved over the years the way that he did. This is why I am truly honored to posthumously present this Award to my peer, colleague, mentor, and friend.” –Jeffrey A. Finkle, CEcD, President and CEO, IEDC
As part of the Obama Administration’s Investing in Manufacturing Communities initiative, Charlie led the development of EPA’s manufacturing revitalization strategy. He also worked closely with the EPA-Department of Transportation-Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Partnership for Sustainable Communities; served on the EPA’s green infrastructure task force and Hurricane Sandy recovery team, and advised the Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization on area-wide planning and automobile community revitalization financing strategies. Charlie was also instrumental in leading the EPA’s involvement in the Obama Administration’s Strong Cities/Strong Communities and Promise Zone recovery initiatives.
“Charlie was an advocate and leader in federal brownfield policy since its genesis in the 1980s, and he himself became known as “Mr. Brownfield”. It is a real honor to bestow this award, giving back to a person who is the authority on the subject. Charlie briefed thousands of lawmakers and local leaders over the years, providing technical assistance support in more than 200 communities across the country. I myself have benefited from his research, and I make sure that young professionals who work for me understand the impact of his findings, too.” –Craig Richard, CEcD FM, President and CEO, Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation –Tampa, FL and IEDC 2018 Board Chair. Prior to joining the EPA in 2010, Charlie was Senior Fellow at ICF International, a global consulting services company, where he served as the brownfields and smart growth policy expert. He also served as Director of Brownfield Studies at the Northeast-Midwest Institute in Washington, D.C., a Capitol Hill research, education, and policy organization serving the 18 Northeast and Midwest states. Charlie first came to Washington as part of Jimmy Carter’s Presidential Internship Program, working on the nation’s first urban policy statement while at HUD and was instrumental in urban public policy through seven presidential administrations.
Charlie’s dedication to economic development policy extended far beyond his official positions. He was chair of both the National Brownfield Association’s Advisory Board and GroundworkUSA, and also served on the editorial board for the Bureau of National Affairs. He penned numerous reports, papers, and publications on brownfield opportunities and many other works that serve as references for economic development professionals across the country. A testament to his unending commitment and expertise in his field, Charlie received a Brownfield Leadership award by the National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals for Lifetime Achievement in 2013. Lauded by his colleagues as a natural and passionate teacher, mentor, and wordsmith, Charlie was always willing to share his immense knowledge with his fellow professionals. His work was among the most impactful in the industry and will be celebrated for years to come.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,200 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities and a variety of other institutions. IEDC’s members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities and improve the quality of life in their regions. www.iedcONLINE.org.