Northwest Michigan Regional Awards

Individuals, municipalities, and local businesses were honored for their innovative efforts or their outstanding leadership at the 2009 Northwest Michigan Regional Awards luncheon, February 27, in Traverse City. Sponsored by the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, the event recognized people and organizations within the council's 10-county region.

Thomas Phillips

Corporate Citizen of the Year to Cherry Republic;

Outstanding Leadership to the Community to Warden Thomas G. Phillips of Pugsley Correctional Facility;

Outstanding and Dedicated Volunteer Services to Project Unity for Life for its services to the Michigan Prisoner Re-entry Initiative;

Outstanding Progress in Career Development to Kelly Johnson, a Michigan Works! participant;

Outstanding Employer and Community Partner to Crystal Mountain Resort for its participation with various Michigan Works! programs.

State Theatre

In an effort to promote and recognize high quality, innovative planning efforts in northwest Lower Michigan, projects were selected for the Northwest Michigan Regional Planning Awards in preparation for the statewide planning awards program offered by the Michigan Association of Planning. Award nominations for each category were accepted from individuals and local governments, and were reviewed by the Planner's Review and Advisory Committee, an advisory board to the Council of Governments.

Regional Planning award recipients demonstrate initiative, originality, innovation, effectiveness, quality, and leadership in planning for our communities. Award categories and recipients are as follows:

• Outstanding Leadership Award to Bernard Ware of Pleasonton Township in Manistee County;
• Outstanding Plan, Program, or Tool Award to the Village of Suttons Bay Zoning Ordinance;
• Outstanding Collaborative Initiative Award to the Grand Traverse Commons;
• Outstanding Implementation Award to the Traverse City State Theatre.