The Northeast Florida Regional Council recently packed the house at UNF to present awards to the individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations that foster regional cooperation in Northeast Florida. The award winners reflect a diversity of programs and projects and recognized leadership demonstrated by the individuals. The event was hosted by Michael Boylan, President and CEO of WJCT. Awards were presented to:

• Excellence in Economic Development Tourism – St. Johns County Cultural Events Division for the St. Augustine Amphitheater
• Excellence in Education – Northeast Florida Community Action Agency Family Self Sufficiency Program
• Excellence in Transportation – for the $7 million capital improvement program for Palatka Municipal Airport Terminal improvements
• Excellence in Public Safety award went to the Green Cove Springs Police Department Teen Summit, an annual summit that has had 600 youths participate in the program
• Excellence in Affordable Housing for the St. Johns County Home Ownership program, which provides credit counseling services to low and moderate income households.
• Excellence in Planning and Growth Management went to the Urban Land Institute for Reality Check First Coast a planning activity to show how 1.6 million residents will live in our community in the year 2060
• Quality of Life Award to the Barnabas Center
• Excellence in Environmental Stewardship for the St. Johns County Fleet Management biodiesel project. This project converts vegetable oil waste into bodies to run county equipment at a savings to the environment as well as a cost savings.
• Special Achievement Award to Wayne and Delores Weaver and the Jacksonville Jaguars
• The final award of the evening went to Peter Rummel for Regional Leadership for championing the effort for Reality Check First Coast

Congratulations to all for helping our community recognize the power of regional cooperation!