Latest Newsletter - Special Issue

Volume 30, Number 4
Special Issue

DVRPC's 8th Annual Celebration of Regional Excellence

On May 14, 2009, over 300 DVRPC Board Members, staff, distinguished business and government leaders, and guests gathered at the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia to celebrate the extraordinary contributions to the region of our five honorees. This year's Regional Excellence honorees included:

Regional Economic Development Program: of the Year Smart Energy Initiative

Smart Energy Initiative administered by the Chester County Economic Development Council, accepted by Gary Smith, President and CEO, Chester County Economic Development Council

Regional Land Use Project of the Year: Voorhees New Jersey Town Center

Voorhees New Jersey Town Center developed by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT), accepted by Joseph Coradino, President, PREIT Services, LLC and Mayor Michael R. Mignogna, Voorhees Township, NJ

Regional Environmental Program of the Year: PECO's Environmental Initiatives

PECO's Environmental Initiatives, accepted by Ronald A. Bradley, Vice President of Support Services, PECO Energy

Regional Transportation Program of the Year: Go Green Go SEPTA Campaign

Go Green Go SEPTA Campaign, accepted by Pat Deon, SEPTA Board Chairman, and Joseph Casey, SEPTA General Manager

Regional Leader of the Year: The Honorable Edwin (Ted) Erickson

The Honorable Edwin (Ted) Erickson, PA State Senate 26th District

Other highlights of the evening included the announcement of two new programs - the Efficient Growth for Growing Suburbs (EGGS) grant program, and the Greater Philadelphia Local Food Economy Awards.

Celebrating Excellence

A number of individuals, organizations, and local governments were recognized for their innovative projects and leadership in the region.

DVRPC Executive Director, Barry Seymour, served as emcee for the evening's program. Assisting him in presenting the awards were: The Honorable Carol Aichele, Vice Chair, Chester County Commissioners and DVRPC Board Chair; the Honorable Louis Cappelli, Jr., Esq., Camden County Freeholder Director and DVRPC Board Treasurer; David G. Mandelbaum, Esq., of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP and DVRPC Board Commissioner; Rina Cutler, Deputy Mayor of Transportation and Utilities, City of Philadelphia and DVRPC Board Commissioner; and Andy Lewis, Delaware County Council Member and DVRPC Board Commissioner.

Attendees had the opportunity to mingle with friends and colleagues during a cocktail reception, which was held before the awards ceremony.

DVRPC introduced two exciting, new programs at this year's celebration

Local Food Economy Leadership Awards

At this year's Annual Dinner, DVRPC introduced a new program that seeks to raise the profile of Greater Philadelphia's emerging local food economy, and presented awards to four leaders in this industry. The Local Food Economy Leadership Awards recognize Greater Philadelphia's food system leaders who have successfully leveraged collaborations with other stakeholders to create a more sustainable food system, and have garnered national attention, making this region a leader in local food system efforts. This new innovative project was created in partnership with the William Penn Foundation. Recipients of the Local Food Economy Leadership Awards included:

• Fair Food - A Program of White Dog Community Enterprises / www.whitedogcommunityenterprises.org or www.fairfoodphilly.org
• Greensgrow Farm / www.greensgrow.org
• The Food Trust / www.thefoodtrust.org
• Weavers Way Cooperative Association / www.weaversway.coop

For more information about DVRPC's food initiatives, visit www.dvrpc.org/food

Efficient Growth for Growing Suburbs

D uring the evening, the Commission announced the recipients of the Efficient Growth for Growing Suburbs (EGGS) grants. This new program will advance smart growth planning and principles in ten communities in southeastern PA. The grants will help create more livable communities by funding planning, design, preliminary engineering, ordinance writing, and feasibility studies that promote growth management, enhance community design, and optimize the efficacy of transportation investments. Recipients of the EGGS grants included:

• East Whiteland / Malvern ($50,000)
• Upper Dublin / Whitemarsh ($70,000)
• Lower Providence Township ($36,340)
• Upper Chichester Township ($41,160)
• Towamencin Township ($40,000)
• Upper Frederick ($18,500)
• Caln Township ($32,000)
• Tredyffrin Township ($32,000)

For more information about the EGGS program and details about each grant winner, visit www.dvrpc.org/EGGS

Special Thanks

A special thanks to our 2009 Sponsors for making the Celebration of Regional Excellence possible:

Platinum

Delaware River Port Authority

Gold

McCormick Taylor
Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT)
Urban Engineers, Inc.

Silver

Accor Services USA
Advanced Audio Visual
AECOM
Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc.
BAE Systems ADR
Boardman Hamilton Company
Cephalon, Inc.
CSX
eXude Benefits Group
Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
Langan Engineering and Environmental Services
Michael Baker Jr., Inc.
PB Americas, Inc.
PECO Energy
Pennoni Associates
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Photo Science, Inc.
Temple University Ambler University City District

Pewter

American College of Physicians
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Impact Services Corporation
Liberty Property Trust
McMahon Associates, Inc.
Philadelphia Regional Port Authority
Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO)
Portfolio Associates, Inc.
Raymond & Coleman, LLP
SMS Rail Services
Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals
Traffic Club of Philadelphia
Wallace, Roberts and Todd

Special Contributor

Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.