CHESTER BUSINESS HONORED BY SENATOR PILEGGI AND MAYOR BUTLER FOR SERVICE TO CITY
CHESTER, PA, May 25, 2006 -
State Senator Dominic F. Pileggi and Mayor Wendell N. Butler, Jr., among other important figures in the Philadelphia area, have honored a local organization dedicated to helping students find their ideal higher education programs.
Educational Directories Unlimited (EDU) has been recognized for four straight years as one of the top 100 inner city companies in the country by Inc. Magazine and the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), which aim to spotlight and support growing companies in urban areas and to highlight the importance of a healthy economy in developing healthy urban communities.
To honor EDU's achievements, Sen. Pileggi awarded the company a Citation of Commendation for "being named as one of the top 100 dynamic, inner-city companies nationwide by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City and Inc. Magazine." Mayor Butler as well as Councilwoman Willie M. Wells, Councilman Monir Z. Ahmed, councilwoman Marrea Walker-Smith and Councilman Walter Miles, Jr. also congratulated EDU and awarded them a Proclamation for the same feat, stating, "The City of Chester is proud to be home to EDU," and "we truly commend EDU for its decision to locate within the City of Chester, for its remarkable growth, for its innovation and for being a prime example of how locating a business within the inner city encompasses competitive advantages that lead to success."
EDU has been located in Chester for ten years and employs numerous local residents. President and CEO Mark Shay says he has seen a revitalization of Chester and is proud to be a part of it. "We very much love and appreciate this area and try to give back to the community as much as it has given to us," he says. "We look forward to participating in this great environment and increasing local employment opportunities for years to come."
According to their websites, ICIC's mission is to spark new thinking about the business potential of inner cities, thereby creating jobs and wealth for inner-city residents. Inc. Magazine is the leading publication for growing companies and entrepreneurs, with a circulation of 1.5 million. Inner City 100 winners are determined based on revenue growth over a five-year period (1999-2003 for the 2005 list). To qualify for the 2005 Inner City 100 a company had to be an independent, for-profit corporation, partnership or proprietorship; be headquartered in or have 51% or more of its physical operations in economically distressed urban areas; have 10 or more employees; and have a 5-year operating sales history that includes an increase in 2003 sales over 2002 sales, sales of at least $200,000 in 1999 and at least $1 million in 2003.
Educational Directories Unlimited
Educational Directories Unlimited (EDU) has been at the forefront of educational marketing since its inception in 1995. With a mission to be the bridge between students and educators, EDU provides industry leading online directories such as GradSchools.com, StudyAbroad.com and UCEAdirectory.org that supply higher education information and advice to students and advisors.