Governor's Smart Communities Awards

The Governor’s Smart Communities Awards recognize outstanding efforts of local communities and their partners throughout the state, creating vibrant and livable communities by achieving the goals of the Growth Management Act and other community development objectives. The Department of Commerce administers the awards program.

Held each year since 2006, the Awards recognize local governments whose exceptional planning efforts have significantly enriched their communities in the areas of job growth, economic development, housing affordability, homelessness, parks and recreation, transportation and subarea development. These achievements are outstanding models for Washington’s local governments.

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Winner of the 2022 Smart Partnership Award. The Kenmore Public Boathouse shows the combined efforts of the city of Kenmore, the Northshore School District and the Kenmore Community Rowing Club to create a community facility that also provides shared access to what has become a regionally sought after recreational opportunity. Photo credit: city of Kenmore

Announcements

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2023 Washington Governor’s Smart Communities Award recipients announced
Annual awards recognize excellence, creativity, collaboration in land use planning and development OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce is pleased to announce the 11 winners of the 2023 Governor’s Smart Communities Awards. Presented annually since 2006, the Smart Communities Awards program recognizes local governments and their partners for…
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Nomination window for the 2023 Governor’s Smart Community Awards is now closed
The nomination window for the 2023 Governor’s Smart Community Awards is now closed. We want to thank everyone for their amazing submissions. Our judges will work furiously over the coming weeks to review the applications and select winners for the Smart Awards categories. You should expect to hear more about…
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Nominations open for 2023 Governor’s Smart Communities Awards
Annual awards program celebrates excellence in planning for future growth, livable communities Olympia, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce is seeking nominations for the 17th annual Governor’s Smart Communities Awards, a program that recognizes outstanding work by local governments and their partners on community planning and development. For…

2023 Nomination Guidelines

Please use the following forms to submit your nominations for the 2023 GSCA Awards program. Please contact Valerie.smith@commerce.wa.gov if you have questions or need assistance. 

Categories

Video Highlights from 2020-2021 Award Winners