Excellence Awards Celebrate our Communities!

The Smart Growth Partnership seeks to review and recognize projects and policies that use smart growth principles to improve communities environmentally, socially, and economically.

Communities all over the United States are using smart growth principles to protect and enhance the natural environment while strengthening their economies. They are reusing previously developed land; providing more housing and transportation choices; preserving critical natural areas; and developing vibrant places to live, work, shop, and play. When properly implemented, these techniques can protect air, water, and land resources and make communities more attractive to businesses, residents, and visitors.

The SGP recognizes communities and projects that have successfully used these to preserve and enhance their quality of life while protecting public health and the environment.  We endeavor to recognize projects, policies and communities that have used approaches that involve a broad variety of stakeholders and are innovative, yet could be replicated elsewhere. Awarded projects will be recognized at the Smart Growth Partnership’s Annual Event, through press releases and at agency council or commission meetings (e.g. CRA Board, City Commission, etc.).  Additional appropriate venues for recognition may be requested by recipients.

In order to nominate a project, policy or plan that has been completed, implemented or is substantially under development, please download and complete the attached application. Demonstrate (in 500 words or less) how the applicant has significantly incorporated our smart growth principles into its vision, process or design. Attach supporting documentation.  Also indicate if you are a member of the Smart Growth Partnership or if you would like to learn more about becoming a member.  Please send your application before the deadline to NLocke@res.us and smartgrowthpartnership@gmail.com.