Gov. Jay Inslee invites nominations for outstanding work by local governments and their partners on community planning and development. The awards have been an annual event since 2006. Inslee is proud to sponsor the Smart Communities Awards to recognize these hard-won accomplishments.

The values and priorities of each community shine through their individual plans for how they want to look and function twenty or fifty years from now.

For one community it may be an emphasis on supporting agriculture, another prioritizing their downtown redevelopment – but it all adds up to shared vision, tough decisions and partnerships. Though we often hear about the controversies and debates, neighbors, farmers, business people and public officials are not only planning, but putting their plans into reality to make communities vibrant and sustainable for economic growth.

Nominations are being accepted June 15- July 27. Nominations are being sought for awards in the following categories:

• Smart Vision – for a comprehensive plan, subarea plan or countywide planning policies

• Smart Projects – for project implementing a comprehensive plan

• Smart Partnership – for a joint public project that implements a comprehensive plan

• Smart Housing Strategies – for creative plans, policies, programs and/or actions

• *NEW* Smart Equity Strategies – for plans, policies, programs and/or actions addressing impacts to community equity

• *NEW* Smart Climate Change Strategies – for plans, policies, programs and/or actions addressing community climate impacts

Information and nomination forms: commerce.wa.gov/serving-communities/growth-management/smart-communities/.

Source: Washington Department of Commerce