Donald Hunter Excellence in Economic Development Planning Award

Deadline: Friday, February 10, 2012

The annual Donald E. Hunter Excellence in Economic Development Planning Award from the APA Economic Development Division (EDD) is awarded to a community that shows innovation and success with an economic development plan or project.

Award winners receive a plaque as well as recognition at the annual Division business meeting and reception at the 2012 APA National Planning Conference (in Los Angeles). In addition, the award winner will be featured in the Division's newsletter, News & Views (distributed to 800 organizations throughout North America), and the EDD will prepare a press release for the winning community and for APA. In the past, Honorable Mentions have been selected and recognized in a similar manner.

Eligibility

Any economic development plan implemented in the United States or Canada within the last 10 years is eligible. Any member of the American Planning Association may make a nomination (except for the members of the Economic Development Division Executive Committee and Awards Committee, APA Board Members, and AICP Commissioners).

Application Requirements

There is no formal application form or fee. Please follow these guidelines:

Overview: Narrative Description of the Plan or Project

Provide description (up to 250 words) of the plan or project and describe how that the project fits one or both of the following definitions:

• Economic Development: The creation of new employment and wealth-generating activities through the mobilization of human, financial, physical, and natural resources.
• Economic Development Planning: A series of deliberate activities leading to initiatives that enhance the jurisdiction's economic opportunities and quality of life.

Attachment I: Nominee's Fulfillment of Award Criteria

For each of the following criteria, provide up to a 50- to 100-word description of the project.  The entire attachment (all six criteria) should be no more than two pages (500 words).

1. Originality: Unique concept or appreciable refinement of existing techniques or procedures.
2. Transferability: Potential application to other areas or projects.
3. Quality: Excellence of thought, analysis, writing, graphics, and professional character of the presentation.
4. Implementation and Results: Effectiveness of work proposals that have been carried out or show the promise of being carried out.
5. Comprehensiveness: Submittal demonstrates a thorough and in-depth approach.
6. Contribution to Community: Demonstrates application to community needs and desires.

Attachment II (Optional): Supporting Materials

Applicants may provide relevant supporting material such as news clippings, brochures, slides, videos, etc. Please be judicious with supporting materials and only include documentation that clearly supports the application. (If items need to be returned, please clearly mark them as such.) 

Submission Information

Please submit to the Chair of the Award Committee:

Julie Herlands
TischlerBise
4701 Sangamore Road, Suite S240
Bethesda, MD 20816
Phone: 301-320-6900 x15
julie@tischlerbise.com

Applications can be submitted by email (preferred) or hard copy:

• E-mail to julie@tischlerbise.com. Please indicate in the subject line: "[Your Jurisdiction] EDD Award Application," or
• One (1) hard copy to the above address.

Previous Winners

Past winners of this award