The Northern Kentucky region was named as one of four finalists for the
Alliance for Regional Stewardship (ARS) Organizational Champion Award for the work of
Vision 2015, a community-driven ten-year strategic plan for growth.
The Organizational Champion Award recognizes regions, regional alliances and regional leaders for excellence and demonstrated progress in at least one of the four principles of regional stewardship: innovative economy, livable communities, social inclusion, and a collaborative style of governance.
This year’s awards were held at the ARS Regional Strategies Forum in Pittsburgh, July 29-30.
"The ARS is looking for the innovative ways in which communities tackle goals and challenges," says Kara Clark, vice president of communication and strategic initiatives for Vision 2015.
Karen Finan and her team from
Northern Kentucky Tri-ED put together the lengthy application report, detailing the goals and accomplishments of her non-profit corporation, the
Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and Vision 2015.
"I think they were attracted to our year-long visioning process," Clark says. "I also believe that they were also attracted to the breadth and depth of our goals," she says. "We're not just focusing on one area. With our many community partners, we're able to make headway on a lot of different fronts."
Forward Quest of Northern Kentucky, the predecessor of Vision 2015, won the award in 1995.
"It's great that they continue to keep us in high regard," Clark says. "It speaks great volumes that, for the last 13 years, all of the innovative work that we've built upon is still recognized by a national organization."
Graduate! Philadelphia, a regional initiative aimed at building a competitive regional economy by helping working adults with some college credits complete their degrees, was the award winner.
Writer:
Kevin LeMasterSource: Kara Clark, vice president of communication and strategic initiatives, Vision 2015
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