Awards
NARC Awards Overview
Regional Achievement Awards
Achievement Awards are presented each year to several organizations to recognize excellence in programs and services of regional councils and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) across the country.
NARC Leadership Awards recognize regional programs in the following categories:
- The Major Metro Award recognizes programs from regions with populations of 1 million and above.
- The Medium Metro Award recognizes programs from regions with populations between 250,000 and 1 million.
- The Rural Award recognizes programs from regions with populations below 250,000.
Regional Leadership Awards
Leadership Awards are presented to up to three regional leaders in the following categories:
- The Walter Scheiber Leadership Award recognizes significant impacts an executive director has made at the local, state, and national levels.
- The Tom Bradley Leadership Award recognizes the leadership and excellence of an elected or appointed official in advocating for regional concepts, approaches, and programs at any level of government.
- The NARC President’s Award recognizes the leadership and excellence of any person or organization in advocating for regional concepts, approaches, and programs at any level of the regional community.
2025 Award Winners
Major Metro Achievement Awards
Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG)
Regional Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Investment Plan
The Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Investment Plan provides a forward-looking vision to support mobility, economic growth, and sustainability across the region. This plan is a testament to the power of collaboration and regional leadership.
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC)
LinkUS Transit Supportive Infrastructure Program
Developed by MORPC in collaboration with the City of Columbus, Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), and the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, LinkUS is an initiative to develop fast and reliable public transportation, expand bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and increase accessibility throughout Central Ohio. Through LinkUS, COTA is modernizing the region’s transit system with expanded service, new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines, and improved bus stations. Learn more about LinkUS.
Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC)
FlexRide Milwaukee
SEWRPC’s FlexRide Milwaukee is an innovative program that partners with employers in suburban job centers to provide city residents with affordable and efficient transportation to their place of employment. From 2022 to 2024, FlexRide Milwaukee provided over 100,000 trips to 5,000 employees across 185 companies!
Medium Metro Achievement Awards
Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (DMAMPO)
Iowa Data Bike
The Iowa Data Bike uses an iPhone app, an e-bike, and AI to collect data on pavement conditions on central Iowa’s trail network. Planners use this data to guide long term maintenance plans for Iowa’s trails. DMAMPO’s Iowa Data Bike project is a collaboration with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Learn more about the project here.
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC)
NWI 2050+
NW2050+, NIRPC’s long-range transportation plan, acts as a guide for over $3 billion in federal transportation investments through 2050. NWI 2050+ plans for the future of active transportation, freight, transit, land use, and major roadways throughout Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties, while identifying goals for mobility, sustainability, and economic development. The plan recommends a range of actions from adopting the 15-minute city concept to expanding trail networks and the commuter rail system. Read more about NWI 2050+.
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC)
Lehigh Valley Housing Dashboard and Data Access
Developed in collaboration with the Urban Land Institute and the County of Lehigh, this innovative dashboard brings clarity to one of the region’s most pressing challenges: the gap between available housing and what residents can afford. By visualizing housing shortages and mismatches between income levels and housing stock, the dashboard empowers the public, local leaders, and developers with clear, unbiased data to inform better decisions and policies. View the story map containing the housing dashboard here.
Rural Achievement Awards
East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG)
Veteran-Friendly Community Designation Program
Launched in July 2024, ETCOG’s initiative recognizes and supports communities across East Texas that go above and beyond in serving military veterans through local services, community engagement, and veteran-focused policies. The program was developed in partnership with the Alamo Area Council of Governments, the University of Texas at Tyler, and The University of Texas at San Antonio.
The City Of Tyler – Municipal Government and the City of Quitman, TX were the first to receive this important designation, helping set the standard for how rural regions can actively support and uplift veterans in meaningful, lasting ways. Thank you to ETCOG for their commitment to our nation’s veterans and for creating a replicable model that other regions can follow.
Yakima Valley Conference of Governments (YVCOG)
Yakima Valley Local Crime Lab
The Yakima Valley Local Crime Lab enhances public safety by providing access to timely, impartial, and quality forensic and investigative services through partnerships with local law enforcement and active community involvement. Services range from National Integrated Ballistic Information Network analysis to rapid DNA testing and mobile device data extraction. Visit the Crime Lab here.
Leadership Awards
Chuck Wemple
Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)
The NARC President’s Award recognizes the leadership and excellence of any person or organization in advocating for regional concepts, approaches, and programs at any level of the regional community.
Bob Stevenson
Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC)
Davis County, Utah
Tom Bradley Leadership Award recognizes the leadership and excellence of an elected or appointed official in advocating for regional concepts, approaches, and programs at any level of government.
Greg Bogacz
New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC)
The Walter Scheiber Leadership Award recognizes significant impacts an executive director has made at the local, state, and national levels.
Congratulations to all of NARC’s 2024 achievement and leadership award winners!
Click here to read more about the awards which were presented at a special awards session on June 25, 2024 during the 58th Annual NARC Conference and Exhibition.