The deadline has changed thanks to Mother Nature!  Entries are being accepted until MARCH 5, 2010. Learn more about how to enter the Commonwealth Awards. Winners will be announced on May 11 at the Hilton Harrisburg.

Paying tribute to Pennsylvania's smart growth visionaries

It takes ingenuity, determination and courage to create smart growth projects ... the kinds of investments in Pennsylvania that breathe new life into declining neighborhoods, increase opportunities in communities on the rise, and find new uses for vacant manufacturing sites.  

At 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, we will salute these visionaries with the annual Commonwealth Awards.

About the Commonwealth Awards

The 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania Commonwealth Awards is a juried state-wide program to recognize businesses, nonprofits, elected officials, and citizens contributing to the economic and environmental health of the Commonwealth.

The awards pay tribute to visionaries - developers, builders, designers, community leaders, local officials, financiers, and others - who have invested in building a better future for Pennsylvania. These leaders put smart growth to work by envisioning, promoting, designing and building communities that improve life for residents, employers, employees, and visitors.

We have added a new design and leadership category in 2010. The PNC Bank Opportunity for All - Affordable Housing /Community and Economic Development Awards will highlight affordable and special needs housing projects and community and economic initiatives that positively impact lower income communities. In addition to the project awards, The PNC Leading the Way Awards will acknowledge outstanding leadership by specific individuals/teams in promoting and developing affordable housing in the commonwealth. 

The 2010 Friend of Pennsylvania will be presented to PennDOT Secretary Alan Biehler. We know that you won’t want to miss the opportunity to honor Secretary Biehler on his many achievements in state government. His vision and leadership on smart transportation and infrastructure projects have advanced economic development and fostered a better quality of life in communities throughout the commonwealth.