Through its two award programs, NADO recognizes the efforts of regional planning and economic development organizations that have demonstrated innovative approaches to regional economic and community development. 

NADO's Innovation Award honors projects in a variety of regional development program areas, while the Excellence in Regional Transportation Award, a program of NADO’s RPO America and the NADO Research Foundation’s Center for Transportation Advancement and Regional Development, recognizes noteworthy projects and practices in rural and small metropolitan transportation planning, programming and service delivery. 

Congratulations to the 2010 Award Winners

In 2010, 22 award-winning projects were selected (view the list here).  These projects relate to various aspects of rural and small metropolitan planning, programs and service delivery.  These award recipients will be honored during a roundtable showcase reception during the National Rural Transportation Peer Learning Conference, October 20 – 22 in St. Louis, Missouri.  The projects were selected on the basis of the following criteria: 

  • Uniqueness/level of innovation
  • Significant, demonstrated regional impact
  • Ability to be replicated
  • Long-term viability of the program or long-ranging impacts
  • Innovative partnerships and collaborations
  • Creative funding

The Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards are a program of the NADO Research Foundation's Center for Transportation Advancement and Regional Development and NADO's RPO America.

Trailblazer Awards

Beginning in 2010, all award-winning projects will be judged by a group of peers during the Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards Reception, to occur at the National Rural Transportation Peer Learning Conference, October 20 - 22, St. Louis, Missouri.  The top winners selected by the judges will be honored as Trailblazers, and will be given special recognition during and following the conference.  Judges will be looking for projects that show significant evidence of above average innovation. This category will be exclusively for one-of-a-kind projects demonstrating unique innovation.

All Excellence in Regional Transportation Award winners will receive a certificate, a press release to share with local media, and the opportunity to have a photo taken with NADO leadership during the conference.  Award winners are often also highlighted through NADO publications and outreach and highlighted as conference participants.  The projects chosen as Trailblazers will receive additional recognition and a special award.

Project Catalog

Click here for an online catalog of previous award-winning projects, or view the award winners by year.  Descriptions of the 2010 projects will be added soon.

For additional information, contact NADO Program Managers Carrie Kissel, at ckissel@nado.org or 202.624.8829, or Kathy Nothstine, at knothstine@nado.org or 202.624.5256.  To learn more about NADO's Awards Programs, including NADO's Innovation Award, visit www.nado.org/rf/award.php.


Get Adobe Reader here to view PDF files.