Region of Excellence Awards
The Centralina Region of Excellence Awards are our opportunity to recognize and celebrate how local governments and partners expand opportunity and improve quality of life across our region. Every year, local governments, community stakeholders and individuals in the nine-county Centralina region are encouraged to submit nominations for projects, programs or plans that were initiated or completed during the past calendar year. Two potential awards can be given in each category – one for larger and one for smaller jurisdictions.
Now Accepting Nominations!

Celebrate the incredible work of those around you – submit a nomination today.
Award recipients will be notified in September and honored at an event this fall. Their work will also be highlighted on our website, social media and monthly newsletter.
Nomination deadline: 5 p.m., August 15
Award Categories
Introducing the Nance Award for Regional Collaboration!
Deputy Executive Director Michelle Nance, who retires in 2025 from 30+ years of public service, is know for her unique ability to build consensus and find common ground. This award will be given to a group or organization that has demonstrated collaboration in a way that benefits not only their community, but also others.

Nance Award for Regional Collaboration
Strong partnerships, cooperation and communication between local governments and stakeholders not only make communities stronger, but also demonstrate our mission of regional collaboration.
Qualifications:
The awardee has embodied a commitment to collaboration in a manner that benefits not only their own community but also others.
Local Government Innovation
Local governments are being asked to do more with less at a time when the role of government is increasingly important.
Qualifications:
The recipient of this award has made the most of their available resources in a manner that is new, creative or unexpected.
Improving Quality of Life
The communities across the region aspire to a high quality of life that enable people of all generations to have the amenities, services and opportunities they need to thrive.
Qualifications:
The recipient of this award demonstrates their commitment to a higher quality of life, enabling all people to have the amenities, services and opportunities they need to thrive.
Connected Communities
Growth across our region has emphasized the need for thoughtful connections between where we need to go and where we want to be. Through the work of Centralina Regional Planning, CONNECT Beyond and the Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition, we support partners across the region in developing transportation, mobility and energy initiatives that serve a variety of community needs.
Qualifications:
The recipient of this award supports initiatives that maximize local transportation, mobility investments and/or energy efficiency.
Aging in Action
Every day, 10,000 people turn 60 years old across Centralina's nine-county region. Centralina Area Agency on Aging serves as an advocate, leader and partner to ensure older and disabled adults can age with choice, dignity and independence.
Qualifications:
The recipient of this award has implemented a program that contributes to older and/or disabled adult issues, engagement, participation and/or volunteerism.
James D. Prosser Excellence in Government Leadership Award
Great leaders can be found at all levels of an organization. Their leadership inspires trust, builds confidence and motivates others to invest time in achieving remarkable results for the region’s communities. This award recognizes transformative local government leadership in honor of Centralina’s former Executive Director, James D. Prosser.
Qualifications:
The recipient of this award exemplifies and promotes excellence in government, outstanding leadership and high ethical standards.
Previous Region of Excellence Awards Winners
Formerly “Growing the Economy Award,” the recipient of this award has implemented innovative solutions to community development or investment challenges and engages in best practice strategies that utilize public/private sector partnerships to maximize investment opportunities; prepares existing sites and infrastructure to meet the needs of target industries; and/or implements economic development including job creation/retention initiatives, etc. Past winners include:
- City of Albemarle Project Next Step (2024)
- City of Gastonia Farm to Table (2024)
- City of Albemarle Firefighter Cadet Academy (2022)
- (Small Community) Lake Norman Economic Development (2021)
- (Large Community) Rowan County Education Collaborative (2021)
- Mecklenburg County Public Health Community Partnerships During COVID-19 (2020)
- Southfork Regional Utility Consolidation (2019)
- Greater Gaston Development Corp and Partners Gaston County CLT Airport Connected Economic Positioning Strategy (2018)
- Town of Mooresville Workforce and Education Alignment Initiative (2017)
- Gaston County Social Services Customer Self-Help Resource Center (2016)
- City of Kings Mountain Downtown Small Business Success Project (2015)
- Town of Huntersville Strategic Economic Development Plan (2015)
- Town of Davidson “PiES” Project (2014)
- City of Gastonia Technology Park Initiative (2013)
- City of Belmont Small Business Support, Retention and Recruitment Program (2012)
- City of Charlotte, Charlotte Business Resources.com (2012)
Formerly “Controlling the Cost of Government Award,” the recipient of this award has been creative in implementing a new or innovative program or initiative that is effective and delivers the most value with public funds. Such program exemplifies efficiency by utilizing economies of scale; partnering with other local governments to maximize the impact of public funds; and/or encouraging best practices to maintain or expand services. Past winners include:
- City of Albemarle Strategic Plan (2024)
- City of Gastonia Public/Private Litter Collection (2024)
- City of Gastonia & Gaston County Building Inspections Partnership (2022)
- Gaston County’s Tourism Development Department (2021)
- 2020 Virtual Cheerwine Festival (2020)
- City of Charlotte Placemaking Grant Program (2019)
- Town of Huntersville Recreation Center Project (2018)
- Town of Wadesboro Renovated Wadesboro Police Station (2017)
- Iredell County Online Septic Record Search Engine (2016)
- Gaston County Radio Communications Towers Construction Project (2015)
- Cabarrus County Collaborative Technology Services Initiative with Local Education Agencies (2014)
- Town of Cramerton Two Rivers Utilities Partnership (2013)
- Town of Marshville Cost Savers Initiative (2012)
The recipient of this award best leverages resources to improve the quality of life for citizens. The award recipient has implemented innovative program offerings such as those that enhance social equity; encourage community participation through public and private sector leadership; develop solutions that build on the community’s strengths and improve upon its weaknesses; or use cooperative volunteerism to maintain or expand services. Past winners include:
- Town of Davidson Co-Responder Program (2024)
- Town of Indian Trail Support Organizations (2024)
- (Large Community) Town of Cornelius – Cain Center for the Arts (2022)
- (Small Community) Town of Spencer – Yadkin River Park Trailhead (2022)
- Town of Cornelius – Neighborhood C.A.R.E Center (2021)
- Kannapolis Downtown Revitalization (2020)
- City of Gastonia Highland Neighborhood Association (2019)
- City of Mount Holly River Front Greenway Expansion Project (2018)
- City of Bessemer City Centennial Park Revitalization Project (2017)
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Woodstone After School and Mentoring Program (2017)
- City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Cross Charlotte Trail (2016)
- Gaston County Teen Wellness Center (2016)
- City of Salisbury, Salisbury Sculpture Show (2016)
- Town of Indian Trail Resident Recreational Pass Project (2015)
- Town of Huntersville “S.O.U.L.S.” Program (2014)
- Town of Matthews Sewer Pipe Art Initiative (2014)
- City of Statesville Downtown Streetscape Project (2013)
- Town of Troutman ESC Park Project (2012)
The recipient of this Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition award is a stakeholder organization that best demonstrates leadership and excellence in clean transportation and alternative fuel activities. The awardee has recognized the environmental, economic and national security benefits of reducing consumption of fossil fuels and has implemented programs and initiatives to lower their use of traditional transportation fuels. Past winners include:
- City of Gastonia Microtransit Initiative (2024)
- UNC Charlotte EPIC PoleVolt Project (2022)
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) Electric Vehicle Bus Fleet (2021)
- Charlotte DOT: Strategic Energy Action Plan (2020)
- City of Charlotte Sustainable Fleet Policy (2019)
- Gaston County Propane Vehicle Conversion Project (2018)
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for Excellence in Clean Transportation and Alternative Fuel Activities (2017)
- Town of Matthews for Excellence in Clean Transportation and Clean Fuel Activities (2016)
- City of Concord for Leadership in Clean Transportation and Clean Fuel Activities (2015)
- City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services Natural Gas Use in Fleet Refuse Trucks (2014)
- Benfield Sanitation Services for Excellence in Clean Transportation and Clean Fuel Activities (2013)
- Clean Cities Gaston County Schools Biodiesel Production and Use in Fleet School Buses (2012)
The recipient of this award serves as a leader in impacting communities, so adults can age with choice, dignity and independence. The awardee has implemented a program that demonstrates a commitment and contribution to older and/or disabled adult issues, engagement, participation and/or volunteerism of older adults and advocacy for and behalf of older and disabled adults and their families. Past winners include:
- Carrie Black, Integrity Home Mobility, Inc. (2024)
- Council on Aging in Union County Seniors Living in Place (2024)
- Anna Rice, Former Executive Director of Iredell Council on Aging (2022)
- Town of Cornelius – Senior Community Connections (2021)
- Shirley Wiggins (2020)
- Dementia Friendly Charlotte Mecklenburg (2019)
- Union County Council on Aging Group Respite Program (2018)
The recipient of this award exemplifies and promotes excellence in government, outstanding leadership and high ethical standards. The award recognizes the cumulative achievements of a local government professional who has served as a role model for others and has consistently exhibited high professional and personal standards throughout his or her public career. Past winners include:
- Michael Ferris, Former Town of Albemarle Manager (2024)
- (Small Community) Jonathan Blanton, Town of Ranlo Manager (2022)
- (Large Community) Mike Downs, Cabarrus County Manager (2022)
- Mike Legg, Kannapolis City Manager (2021)
- Dena R. Diorio, Mecklenburg County Manager (2020)
- Lesley “Tug” Deason, Director of Parks and Recreation (2020)
- Tracy Finch Dodson, City of Charlotte Assistant Manager (2019)
- Lane Bailey, City of Salisbury City Manager (2018)
- Mecklenburg County COVID-19 Policy Group
- Remote Learning Center at E.E. Waddell Community Center
- Town of Davidson COVID-19 Business Support