Each day ten counties and sixty-seven cities throughout the Atlanta region are implementing projects, programs and services that work collectively to achieve regional goals. In recognition of these successes and achievements, the Atlanta Regional Commission developed the “CREATE Community Awards” in 2004.
These awards recognize local government leadership, excellence and innovation in each of the following areas:
- Community Building & Involvement
- Regional Prosperity & Economic Development
- Educational Excellence
- Application & Innovation in Technology
- Environmental Sustainability
See below for links to each winning local government's program and to related initiatives.
Community Building & Involvement
Winner: City of Duluth, Citizens Budget Committee
Summary of Duluth initiative in GMA Publication
Related Links:
Citizen involvement in financial planning – A case study
Public involvement in budgeting – Options for local officials
Citizen Budget Advisory Committees Provide Oversight
Community-Based Art
City of Conyers Facebook – Are you ready to channel your inner Picasso?
City of Palmetto News – “Our Lives, Our Land, Our Legacy”
Photography in the Field: Empowering Youth and Affecting Public Policy
Collaborative Community Planning
Gwinnett County 2030 Unified Plan Community Participation Program
Henry County Economic Development Strategy
Comprehensive Planning and Citizen Participation
Healthy Communities
City of Decatur Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program
Peachtree City “The Bridge Community Center”
“Who Can I Trust?” College Park Police Department Comic Book Series
Johns Creek Heart Ready Partnership
Fayette County ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Alert
Gwinnett County Emergency Medical Improvements Program
Healthy Communities Institute
Community Events
Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System “Living Library” Program
Gwinnett County Park’nership Days
How to Plan Community Festivals
Regional Prosperity & Economic Development
Winner: City of Morrow, Olde Towne Morrow
Olde Towne Morrow site
Community Redevelopment
Georgia International Convention Center
Suwanee Gateway
Gateway Design Guidelines - Murfreesboro, TN
Collaborations & Connections
Georgia Work Ready
Partnership Gwinnett
Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce YouTube Channel
Environmental Sustainability
Winner: City of Sandy Springs, Water Conservation Permit Incentive Program
Sandy Springs Water Conservation Programs
Related Link: Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District
Community Gardens
The Alpharetta Arboretum
Fayette County Plant A Row Project
Vines Garden Railroad
Lanier Community Garden
Dunwoody Community Garden
American Community Gardening Association
MRSC Community Garden Website
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Natural Gas Educational Website
Sustainable Norcross
Taylor-Brawner Park
Environmental Protection Agency
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Community Environmental Sustainability Plans
NEC Communities
Atlanta Regional Commission, Green Communities Program
ICMA Sustainability Website
Application & Innovation in Technology
Winner: City of Suwanee, Social Media Initiative
City of Suwanee site
Related Links:
How to Embrace Social Networking in Local Government
MRSC Information Services Policies and Plans
Performance Management
ICMA Center for Performance Measurement
MRSC Performance Measurement Website
Internet and Intranet
Hapeville WiFi
City of Sugar Hill site
Fulton County Elections Webpage
Sandy Springs Traffic Website
Educational Excellence
Winner: Cobb County, The Safety Village
Cobb County Safety Village
Related Link: Children’s Safety Village of Central Florida
Education Partnerships
Cherokee County Board of Commissioners
Cherokee County Schools
City of Fairburn Educational Campus
The Southern Museum of Civil War
Youth Public Safety Programs
City of Douglasville Youth Against Violence Program
Gwinnett County
City of Phoenix, AZ –Youth Firesetter Intervention Program
Youth Participation in Local Government
ICMA Citizen Resident Participation Resources
Fulton County Global Youth Leadership Program