From left, Business Journal Publisher Gordon M. Webster, Jr., Associate Publisher Ashley Webster Rudolph and Mayor Jerry Dyer celebrate the Business Journal's receipt of the Fresno County EDC's Community Impact Award at the DoubleTree Inn in downtown Fresno on Thursday, April 17, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Dillard

The Fresno Business Journal received the Fresno County Economic Development Corp.’s Community Impact Award Thursday evening at the Real Estate Forecast, held at the DoubleTree Inn in Downtown Fresno.

EDC President Will Oliver presented the award. Past recipients have included the Fresno Association of Realtors and inaugural participants who helped launch the forecast event 21 years ago.

Oliver said the selection of The Business Journal acknowledges the organization’s role in elevating the Valley’s story, he said, through consistent coverage.

“They always show up, they report on what matters, and they do it in a way that reflects our strengths and the realities,” Oliver said. “When you think about business in the region, or here in Fresno County, you think about The Business Journal.”

Publisher Gordon M. Webster, Jr. and Associate Publisher Ashley Webster Rudolph accepted the award on behalf of the publication. Webster noted several milestones converging this year: Pacific Publishing Group, the Business Journal’s parent company, turns 140 years old, while The Business Journal itself marks its 35th anniversary. He also recognized Managing Editor Gabriel Dillard, who has been with the publication for 20 years.

“It’s all about your employees,” Webster said. “It’s not me.”

The Business Journal has covered the Fresno economy since 1886.