(Phoenix, AZ) -- Governor Jan Brewer joined the Arizona Department of Commerce and the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) in announcing the winners of the 2009 Excellence and Main Street Awards.  The recognition was presented during the 35th Annual Governor’s Regional and Rural Development Conference which took place August 26-28 at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park. 

 

“These awards highlight best practices, collaboration, and a focus on solutions for Arizona’s regional economies,” said Donald E. Cardon, Director of the Arizona Department of Commerce.  “The tenacity of Arizonans is apparent in each award recognizing successes in our Main Street corridors, innovation in energy efficiency and renewable energy, and advancing infrastructure.”

 

The Excellence Awards honor partnerships, organizations, and companies, which have successfully created and implemented community and economic development strategies for their respective regional/rural/tribal communities in the past year. The Main Street Awards recognize outstanding projects, activities and individuals in Arizona’s Main Street communities. Award winners are listed below.

 

Information about the 2009 Regional and Rural Development Conference can be found at www.azcommerce.com.

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Excellence Awards

 

Innovative Economic Development
• TGen – ASU Biodesign Institute “Partnership for Personalized Medicine”
• Coconino County “Sustainable Economic Development Initiative”

 

Leadership in Smart Growth
• City of Chandler “Infill Incentive Plan – Commercial Reinvestment Program”

 

Arizona Lottery Cultural and Preservation Projects
• Wickenburg “Historical Walking Tour Brochure”

Excellence Awards (continued)

 

Leadership in Energy Efficiency
• Flagstaff “Residential Energy Efficiency Program”

 

Leadership in Renewable Energy
• Navajo Nation, Black Mesa Chapter “Solar Photovoltaic Power to Remote Homes”

 

Future Leaders
• Cottonwood Middle School “Cottonwood Middle School Water Audit”

 

Main Street Awards

 

Best Small Scale Project
• Sedona “Sedona Trolley”

 

Best Medium Scale Project
• Lake Havasu City “Pima Wash Bikeway”

 

Best Large Scale Project
• Sedona “Matterhorn Inn”

 

Best Economic Restructuring Project
• Sedona “Sedona Chamber Visitor Center”

 

Business Excellence Award
• Florence “Desert Springs Water & Ice”

 

Best Promotional Material
• Prescott “Shop Fabulous Friday”

 

Best Special Event
• Florence “Florence Multicultural Festival”

 

Best Public/Private Partnership
• Florence “Silver King Hotel”

 

Individual of the Year
• Pinetop-Lakeside “Gretchen Forbeck”