Regional Economic Development Academy Recognized with NADO Prize
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission has been recognized with the Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for MORPC’s Regional Economic Development Academy.
MORPC’s Regional Economic Development Academy is a one-of-a-kind training program designed to enhance the attendee’s foundational knowledge of economic development tools and programs. Participants learn from practitioners and specialists recognized for their expertise across the economic and community development fields.
"We are incredibly honored to receive this prestigious award for our Regional Economic Development Academy. This recognition highlights MORPC's commitment to equipping local leaders with the concrete, foundational tools they need to drive sustainable growth across Central Ohio."
A visionary element to the academy was the attention paid to designing a curriculum focused on instruction, case studies, and interactive exercises to deliver:
- Tailored insights into Central Ohio’s economic development tools and strategies.
- Actionable knowledge of incentive programs and best practices.
- Networking opportunities with peers and professionals across sectors.
Alignment with the commission’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) was fundamental in shaping the Academy’s objective of capacity building to drive regional investment. The Academy’s focus is on delivering insights – industry trends, best practices, economic development tools – on economic and community revitalization topics specific to Ohio’s communities.
MORPC partnered with the Ohio Economic Development Association on two of the courses. Program sponsors were Huntington Bank and OhioHealth. More than 200 participants attended six workshops.
Presented annually, the NADO Impact Awards honor regional development organizations and their partners for strengthening communities, building regional resilience, and enhancing local economies through creative approaches to economic and community development. NADO is a Washington, DC-based membership association of regional development organizations that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies.
This year’s cohort included 94 projects led by 58 organizations across 20 states. These award-winning efforts will be recognized during NADO’s 2026 Annual Training Conference in October in Reno, Nev.
“Each year, the Impact Awards celebrate the remarkable work being done by regional development organizations to strengthen communities and improve quality of life.This year’s honorees demonstrate how strategic leadership, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to progress can create meaningful and lasting benefits across the country.”
The Impact Awards are presented in memory of Aliceann Wohlbruck, NADO’s first executive director, who was a lifelong advocate for regional solutions and rural economic development.
For more information on MORPC’s Economic Development Academy and to register for courses, please visit: Regional Economic Development Academy – MORPC.org.
