The City of Tacoma and the Port of Tacoma have earned 2014 Governor’s Smart Communities Awards for their work to promote smart growth planning and projects that contribute to quality of life in Washington State.

The City of Tacoma earned an award for its South Downtown Subarea Plan and innovative long-range planning strategy, and the Port of Tacoma and the City of Tacoma shared an award for their Interlocal Agreement for Shoreline Public Access Provision.

In total, 16 cities, five counties, two ports, and one school district in Washington State received awards.

“These projects help create and sustain a thriving economic climate and strengthen our ability to lead in the global economy,” said Washington State Governor Jay Inslee. “Washington is a great state in which to live and do business thanks to these examples of leadership and innovation in community planning and development.”

“The 2014 Governor’s Smart Communities Award winners reflect the wide variety of efforts and collaborations that make up growth management planning in Washington,” added Washington State Department of Commerce Brian Bonlender. “Communities can move forward economically when good, collaborative work like this is being accomplished.”

Past Tacoma and Pierce County award recipients include Town of Wilkeson – Rural Town Center Corridor Plan (2013); Pierce County – Bridge To The Beach Project (2011); City of Tacoma – Mixed-use Centers Update Project (2010); City of Puyallup – Puyallup Civic Center Project (2009); City of Sumner – Town Center Implementation Project (2008); and Tacoma Housing Authority – Salishan Hope VI Redevelopment Project (2007).

The Governor’s Smart Communities Awards program was created in 2006.

More information is available online at commerce.wa.gov/growth.