2017 Annual Award Details

Category Descriptions and Nomination Form Links

Best Project

The Best Project Award recognizes outstanding and innovative projects in economic and business development that retain or generate jobs and investment.  This can be anything from a retention project to a new facility construction, redevelopment (brownfield or otherwise) or an historic project.  The award determination is not dependant on the number of jobs created or retained or the amount of total investment.  Rather, this award will showcase a unique approach to the project, which can include public-private partnership, local collaboration, innovative financing and/or incentives.  The project must have been completed in the last 18 months, however there are no time limits or constraints on the total timeline of the project (especially in the case of brownfield redevelopment, infrastructure projects, etc).

Best Project Nomination Form

Excellence in Economic Development Marketing

This award recognizes successful marketing/marketing campaigns.  Examples include target marketing studies, branding, websites, direct mail, consultant events, public relations campaigns, and advertising.

Nominations for this category are accepted based on the size of the community/area being marketed.   Recognition may be awarded for one or all size categories.

Excellence in Economic Development Marketing Nomination Form

Excellence in Economic Development Innovation

This award recognizes unique approaches to any aspect of economic development and recognizes a person or organization that has developed innovative practices and programs.  Examples include: podcasts, blogs, guerilla marketing techniques, legislative initiatives, creative development of match funds, combining work force development with economic development, etc.

Excellence in Economic Development Innovation Nomination Form

Excellence in Workforce Development Innovation

This award recognizes unique approaches to any aspect of workforce development and recognizes a person or organization that has developed innovative practices and programs. The strategy(ies) should provide direction, guidance, and motivation to Ohio’s workforce and business community.

Excellence in Workforce Development Innovation Nomination Form

Excellence in Volunteerism

This award recognizes exceptional volunteer individuals who have assisted in successful economic development efforts in Ohio.

Excellence in Volunteerism Nomination Form

Rookie of the Year

The Rookie of the Year award is to recognize an individual who has been an Economic Development Professional in Ohio for less than two years (joined after January 1, 2016). The purpose of the award is to identify someone who has “hit the ground running” and made extraordinary contributions to local or State workforce and economic development in his/her career. The Rookie of the Year award encourages, recognizes, and acclaims one who has met the challenges of providing economic development early on and who demonstrates the dedication to positively impacting the state’s economic growth.

Rookie of the Year Nomination Form