Now accepting award nominations

The EDD re-launches its awards program after taking a hiatus during COVID.

DEADLINE EXTENDED to Friday, March 11, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. (EST)

The Economic Development Division is excited to announce its awards program with a new look and new opportunities.  With the decision by the American Planning Association to take the last two National Planning Conferences into a remote format, the Economic Development Division took the opportunity to consider an improved program that focuses less on recognizing a single project with a single award to recognizing best practices in economic development planning and holding up the best of the best with the Donald E. Hunter Excellence in Economic Development Award.

Economic development consists of policies and actions which strive to improve the overall quality of life for a community or region by raising its standard of living, reducing inequality and using resources in a sustainable manner. Each year, the Economic Development Division recognizes communities that exemplify these qualities in its annual Best Practices in Economic Development Awards program.

The 2022 Award Categories are:

1. Best Practices

2. Innovation

Note: One project from either of the two above categories will be honored with the Donald E. Hunter Excellence in Economic Development Award.

3. Student Project

Deadline for submission: 5:00 p.m. (EST) on Friday, March 11, 2022. All nominations shall be submitted using the form provided.

The winners of the awards are announced at the 2022 Annual National APA Planning conference to be held in San Diego from April 30-May 3. We strongly recommend but do not require awardees to attend the national conference.

Award recipients will receive an awards certificate, be featured in the Economic Development Division’s quarterly newsletter and be given the opportunity to participate in a webinar discussing their award-winning project.

Please visit the Division's awards page here.