2008 Governor's Rural and Regional Development Conference The Arizona Department of Commerce and the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) will hold the 2008 Governor’s Rural and Regional Development Conference (RRDC), jointly hosted by the towns of Carefree and Cave Creek, on September 24-26, 2008. The Carefree Resort will be the conference site. Two distinguished awards are presented at the conference: the Governor’s Excellence Awards recognize community and tribal projects that show partnership, leadership and innovation; the Arizona Main Street awards honor outstanding foundation building where work to preserve historic structures and heritage occurs while improving the economic vitality of these downtown corridors. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Conference Sponsorship Chair, Dee Dee Bark at 480-998-1489, or deedeeb7@cox.net. Registration and program specifics are still under development.

GOVERNOR'S EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2008 Excellence Awards presented at the Governor’s luncheon during this year’s Governor’s Rural and Regional Development Conference. It will be held September 24-26 at the Carefree Resort. The communities of Carefree and Cave Creek are our hosts.

The purpose of the Awards Program is to honor partnerships, organizations, associations, service clubs, and companies, which have successfully created and implemented community and economic development strategies for their respective regional/rural/tribal communities in the past year.

This year’s categories are:

- Innovative Economic Development
- Infrastructure & Environmental Projects
- Cultural & Recreational Projects
- Leadership in Energy Efficiency
- Leadership Development-Future Leaders

Click preferred format for nomination form:   (WORD)   (PDF)

Please submit all nominations by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 13, 2008.

For 2007 RDC information, click here.

For 2006 RDC information, click here.
For photo highlights from the 2006 RDC, click here. (press slide show on the lower right-hand corner)