View the winning and runner-up photos of the 2024 NADO Member Photo Contest below. 

2024 NADO Member Photo Contest Winners

Investing in Our Regional Economy

Region 9 Economic Development District (CO)

Region 9 Economic Development District of SW Colorado hosts a quarterly economic development meet-up, so our region’s economic development professionals can learn about their neighboring communities. Our group visited Silverton, Colorado, in July of 2024 and took is a guided tour of the Old Hundred Gold Mine,  1/3 mile into the heart of 13,000-foot Galena Mountain.

Strengthening the Built and Natural Environment 

Tri County Economic Development District (WA) 

This photo was taken during a video shoot for Tri County Economic Development District’s (TEDD) Wonderfully Wild Northeast Washington Video Production Project, featuring two hikers taking in the Chewelah Valley from Quartzite Mountain, part of the Colville National Forest. The project created a series of short videos to promote Northeast Washington as a must-visit destination. The Wonderfully Wild messaging aims to showcase the beauty of the area while promoting responsible recreation and land stewardship. By highlighting the some of the region’s natural areas, the project emphasizes the balance TEDD seeks between tourism growth and preserving the environment’s health and resilience.

Building Vibrant Places

Foothills Regional Commission (NC)

Downtown Rutherfordton during the annual Trick or Treat on Main Street event.  Over 1,000 children and their families walk downtown businesses and enjoy activities in addition to trick-or-treating.

Sustaining Our Communities

Mid-Minnesota Development Commission (MN) 

This photo depicts a small solar farm near the Lake Lillian, MN community. Similar installations have popped up across the Mid-Minnesota Development Commission’s district over the course of the last 10 years, adding clean energy to our area’s electrical grid. Minnesota is an excellent location for solar installations, as we enjoy long summer days and, during winter months, colder temperatures support higher operational efficiency. Groundskeeping around and beneath the solar panels is often handled by a flock of sheep, who keep the local flora at bay. This photo was taken by MMDC Transportation & Community Planner Blake Barnard.

People’s Choice

Pennyrile Area Development District (KY)

At 98 years young, Ms. Norfleet, of Hopkinsville, KY, kicked a soccer ball toward the goal during the 2023 Pennyrile Senior Games, an event that helps sustain the community by bringing together adults aged 50 and older to encourage physical activity, cognitive function, and social engagement.

2024 NADO Member Photo Contest Runners-Up

Building Vibrant Places

Upper Savannah Council of Governments (SC)

Strengthening the Built and Natural Environment

Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (NE)

Investing in Our Regional Economy

Eastern UP Regional Planning (MI)

Sustaining Our Communities

Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission (MN)

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