HOUGHTON – The Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region (WUPPDR) has received a national award for economic development service delivery.

WUPPDR earned a 2015 Innovation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO).

WUPPDR received this award for its project efforts that drive Economic Development Service Delivery (EDSD) in the Western Upper Peninsula. NADO announced the award recently as one of 115 winning projects from 32 states, with just two Michigan winners.

NADO recognized WUPPDR for its use of creative funding mechanisms, efforts to create efficiencies or reduce costs, unique partnership models, and emphasis on building resilience and/or enhancing its region’s quality of life.

WUPPDR is driving the Western U.P. Prosperity Region within Michigan’s Regional Prosperity Initiative (RPI), which began in 2014 as a directive of Gov. Rick Snyder.

“We’re pleased and honored to earn this award,” states WUPPDR Executive Director Kim Stoker. “Our staff and our partners all have put a great deal of time and effort into our EDSD program, and it’s fantastic to have that work recognized at the national level.”

Economic Development Service Delivery is the flagship project among six separate projects being implemented by WUPPDR through RPI, and EDSD demonstrates the highest level of collaboration and partnership.

“The EDSD structure created through this effort creates a strong foundation to guide the future of economic development in the region,” notes WUPPDR Regional Planner Erik Powers, who submitted WUPPDR’s winning application to NADO.

WUPPDR worked with EDSD partner organizations to present the concept to governing bodies in the six participating counties that form WUPPDR’s region – Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon.