Greater Nashville Regional Council Announces 2020 Local Government Award Recipients for Excellence in Public Service
Today, the Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) announced the recipients for its annual Local Government Awards. The award program recognizes city and county governments and community partners in the mid-state for initiatives and programs that contribute significantly to advancing collaboration, innovation, and improving quality of life.
“The work being done by the local communities and professionals working for citizens across Middle Tennessee is inspiring,” said Michael Skipper, executive director for GNRC. “While we typically honor our award recipients during GNRC’s Annual Meeting, we did not want our inability to celebrate in person to limit the recognition of those who have done great things during this trying year.”
In its role as the region’s council of governments, GNRC facilitates cooperative policymaking to prioritize state and federal investments into area social services and public infrastructure among elected leaders and local practitioners within the thirteen-county area. Mayors and County Executives across Middle Tennessee guide the agency’s work and create a public forum for Middle Tennesseans to shape regional decisions that impact their quality of life.
The Community and Regional Planning team at GNRC plays a fundamental role in identifying projects and initiatives to recognize each year. The eight-member team works closely with county and city governments year-round providing technical assistance, programming, and policy support to help implement solutions to community development or investment challenges. Beyond best practices and innovation within city and county operations, one award recognizes projects or programming that demonstrates a commitment and contribution to improving the quality of life for older and/or disabled adults. GNRC’s Aging and Disability team assist in the selection of this honoree.
This year twenty-one awards were presented among seven categories: Public Works and Utility Infrastructure, Aging Services and Senior Activity Programs, Economic Development, Recreation, and Youth Engagement, Protective Services, Land Use Initiatives, and Community Engagement and Outreach. Full summaries of award recipients can be found here.
Excellence in Public Works and Utility Infrastructure award recognizes local governments who have achieved outstanding results or taken an innovative approach to public services, infrastructure, and public utilities. This year’s award recipients include:
- Milcrofton Utility - Water Quality with Advanced Metering System
- City of Gallatin - Gallatin Public Utilities Advanced Metering Infrastructure
Excellence in Aging Services and Senior Activity Programs award honors local governments who have achieved outstanding results or taken an innovative approach to provide activity programs or resources to older adults in the community. This year’s award recipients include:
- Town of Westmoreland - Downtown Adaptive Reuse for New Senior Citizens Center
- Wilson County and Senior Ride Wilson - Older Adult Transportation Program
Excellence in Economic Development awards honor local governments who have achieved outstanding results or taken an innovative approach to public services in the areas of economic development initiatives that include employment and business development, tourism promotion and education or workforce activities. This year’s award recipients include:
- Town of Smyrna - Depot District Canopy Project
- City Clarksville and Montgomery County ED - Rebranding Initiative
- City of Portland - Adaptive Reuse of Temple Theatre
- City of Gallatin - Economic Development Planning
- City of Lebanon - Adaptive Reuse of the Historic Mitchell House
- Wilson County and the Watertown, Wilson, Mt. Juliet, and Lebanon Chambers of Commerce - COVID-19 Blue Ribbon Program
Excellence in Recreation and Youth Engagement honors local governments who have achieved outstanding results or taken an innovative approach to public services in the areas of parks and recreation, cultural and historical initiatives, youth programs and fitness programs. Award recipients include:
- Town of Smyrna - Synthetic Ballfield at Cedar Stone Community Park
- City of Lebanon - Scout Your Ride Youth Engagement
- Maury County Schools and the City of Columbia - Community First Partnership Project
- Montgomery County - The Rotary Field of Dreams - Civitan Park Expansion
Excellence in Protective Services honors local governments who have achieved outstanding results or taken an innovative approach to engage the community in public safety programs or communications activities to build relationships with protective services departments. This year’s recipient is:
- Sumner County - Sumner County Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Management Agency COVID-19 Response
Excellence in Land Use Initiatives honors local governments who have achieved outstanding results or taken an innovative approach to public services in the areas of land use initiatives that include local planning, transportation planning and housing programs or activities. Award recipients include:
- City of Hendersonville - Zoning Ordinance Update Initiative
- Sumner County - Zoning Resolution Update and Map
- Williamson County - Williamson 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Excellence in Community Engagement and Outreach honors local governments who have achieved outstanding results or taken an innovative approach to public services in the areas of parks and recreation, cultural and historical initiatives, youth programs and fitness programs. Award recipients include:
- Wilson County and Wilson County Joint Economic and Community Development Board - Tornado Response Partnership
- Wilson County - Coordinated Tornado Response and Partnerships
- Wilson County - New Wilson County Flag