Gov. Jay Inslee To Present Smart Communities Awards To Local Recipients -09/09/24

Media Advisory

NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR BROADCAST

 

WHEN:  2 pm Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024

WHERE:  Clark County Public Service Center Plaza, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver, WA

WHAT:  Gov. Jay Inslee will present the Governor’s Smart Communities Awards from the Washington State Department of Commerce to three local recipients − Clark County Community Planning, the Port of Camas-Washougal and Clark Public Utilities. 

The Governor’s Smart Communities Awards recognize the outstanding work of local governments whose exceptional planning efforts create vibrant and livable communities by achieving the goals of the Growth Management Act. 

Learn more at https://www.commerce.wa.gov/serving-communities/growth-management/smart-communities/.

WHY:  Three local jurisdictions are being recognized for exceptional land use planning and development after being nominated by a panel of judges from across the state and approved by the Governor’s Office.

• The Port of Camas-Washougal in collaboration with Clark Public Utilities were awarded the Smart Climate Strategies Award for their Climate Solar East Project. This award recognizes local programs or actions addressing community climate impacts. The agencies partnered to install $1.4 million in solar panels on five industrial sites allowing customers to participate in renewable energy solutions and receive financial energy credits towards their electric bill. Part of the energy produced also goes to the Operation Warm Heart fund supporting customers with limited incomes.
   
• Clark County Community Planning was awarded a Smart Housing Strategies Award for its Housing Operations Study and Action Plan (HOSAP). This award recognizes creative plans, policies or actions. The HOSAP provides expanded access for ADU’s, multi-plexes, townhouses and cottages with the goal of increasing diversity in housing and affordability within the greater Vancouver Urban Growth Area.
   
• Clark County Community Planning will also receive the Judges Merit Awards for the Clark County Aging Readiness Plan 10-year Update (ARP). This award recognizes success in more than one judged category. The plan is a long-range planning document that supports the county’s growing number of older residents. County staff along with the volunteer Clark County Commission on Aging engaged a huge list of community partners and did extensive public outreach to update the plan with standards supporting an age-friendly community where older adults can thrive.

 

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