Each day ten counties and sixty-eight 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 these five categories:
Community Involvement and Collaboration
This award recognizes active community involvement and collaboration projects and initiatives that demonstrate new and innovative ways of working together with the residents, community and neighborhood groups, neighboring cities and counties, the school system and/or other partners to support collective goals and attain a shared vision and high quality of life for the greater community.
Regional Prosperity and Economic Development
This category recognizes exceptional contributions to regional prosperity and economic development through innovative and city and county efforts in business retention, expansion and recruitment.
Environmental Sustainability
This award recognizes local governments that have made outstanding contributions to reduce their community’s environmental footprint in any of the following areas: energy, water, green purchasing, facility or site design/green buildings, electronic stewardship, fleet and transportation and waste prevention/recycling.
Application & Innovation in Technology
This category recognizes outstanding initiatives and achievements of cities and counties that use technology to improve and enhance citizen access, community involvement, the delivery of services and/or promotes the efficiency of government.
Educational Excellence
This category recognizes local government programs or processes that make education a priority through city/county policies and practices and/or collaboration with educational institutions to affect positive change and quality of life in the community.
ELIGIBILITY
Any city or county in the 10-county Atlanta region is eligible to apply. (Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale)
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY A CITY OR COUNTY. HOWEVER, JOINT APPLICATIONS DEMONSTRATING COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, SCHOOL SYSTEMS, NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS, NONPROFITS AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED.
ENTRY PROCEDURES
Please submit entries in accordance with the following guidelines:
- Select the appropriate award category. NOMINATIONS CAN ONLY BE SUBMITTED UNDER ONE CATEGORY. (e.g. Project XYZ can only be submitted under either Educational Excellence or Community Involvement, not both.)
- Complete the online award application form by clicking the "Apply Now" button on the right side of this page.
- Document your application with up to five supplemental materials, if applicable. Supplemental materials may be submitted as attachments to the online application form.
Suggestions for supporting documentation include:
• Information that supports factors or statistics used in your summary;
• Press clippings, brochures or fact sheets;
• Photographs (digital or film);
• Videos;
• Promotional material; and
• Other material used in the accomplishment of your program’s goals.
- If unable to submit supporting materials online, neatly package seven copies of the supporting materials and send to:
Atlanta Regional Commission
ATTN: Katrina DeBerry
40 Courtland St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:00 p.m. April 13, 2012.
JUDGING CRITERIA
All applications will be judged based upon the following criteria.
Innovation
The program or project demonstrates unique ideas and innovative approaches.
Transferability
The program or project shows potential use by other cities or counties seeking similar opportunities or solutions.
Community Commitment
The city or county has demonstrated a commitment to achieving greater and long-term impact on the community through the nominated project or initiative.
Measured Objectives
Results demonstrate a specific objective that the program or project was able to achieve.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact Katrina DeBerry at 404.463.3211 or kdeberry@atlantaregional.com or Adam Edge at 404.463.2314 or aedge@atlantaregional.com for more information about the CREATE Community Awards.