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.

Photo of building built to store boats for public use.
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

Spokane smart communities award 2023
Governor’s 2024 Smart Communities Awards nominations now open
Annual awards recognize outstanding work in community planning and development Olympia, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Commerce has opened nominations for the 18th annual Governor’s Smart Communities Awards, a program that recognizes outstanding work by local governments and their partners on long-term community planning and development. Nominations feature…
Clover island GSCA winner image at night
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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2024 Nomination Guidelines

Please use the following forms to submit your nominations for the 2024 GSCA Awards program. Please contact Valerie.smith@commerce.wa.gov if you have questions or need assistance. 

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