The city of Lompoc’s Lompoc Valley Magazine has won an award for excellence in economic development from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

The issue, “The Happiness Quotient” from Winter 2008, was selected by a panel of judges representing the 4,500-member IEDC in the category of Promotional Awards for newsletters, newspapers or magazines, with a population less than 50,000.

“I felt this was an award winner,” said Kate Griffith, economic development manager for the city.

This was the first time Griffith had submitted the magazine for the award, which recognizes “the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships; marketing materials; and the year’s most influential leaders,” according to the IEDC Web site.

Griffith said she started the magazine in 2005 as a tool to help promote the community.

“I noticed that we didn’t really have anything representing the valley except the daily newspaper,” Griffith said. Having seen magazines in other communities, she decided to start one for Lompoc.

“Basically, we’re trying to reach out to residents, tourists and, very importantly, to businesses,” she said.

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Having a high-quality magazine, that Griffith said she has heard described as “sleek and sassy,” hopefully makes a favorable impression on prospective businesses, she said.

“If I’m trying to recruit a business, I’ll send them a copy,” Griffith said. She also distributes copies at conferences, trade shows and wine-grower events. As part of the Santa Barbara Film Festival, the magazine is included in the bags given those with passes to the festival.

There are two issues per year: winter and summer. Griffith orders 5,000 copies of each issue, half of which are given to the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce to distribute.

The magazine can be found locally at the city, the chamber, the library and various businesses, and there is no charge for copies.

“We do have advertising, but the magazine is not advertising driven,” Griffith said. The advertising helps to defray costs, but the bulk of the funding for the magazines comes from a Redevelopment Agency grant for advertising and marketing.

“We’re not dependent on advertising, and it allows us to not charge for it,” said Griffith.

Though a topic like happiness may seem to have little to do with economic development, the winning issue tries to make clear that a healthy growing community is based on more than the bottom line. It also has to do with the happiness and satisfaction of the people in the community.

“It’s a huge component of the economy,” Griffith said.

To local critics of the city’s economic development plan, Griffith said she hopes that this award will be some sort of vindication: “Our competition was international. There are a lot of naysayers,” Griffith said. “But the point is, we know we’re doing well — a lot of municipalities would like to emulate us. Lompoc is doing extremely well.”

Amanda Brooks can be reached at 737-1057 or abrooks@santamariatimes.com.