OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Commerce is pleased to announce the 11 winners of the 2023 Governor’s Smart Communities Awards. The program has been presented annually since 2006 and recognizes local governments and their partners for exceptional land use planning and development. The awards showcase the effective implementation of the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA).

The honored local programs and projects serve as leading examples for other communities as they seek to address similar land use planning issues or look for inspiration and creative ideas.

“The Smart Awards continues a long-standing tradition in our state of excellence and leadership. This year’s winners are tackling everything from housing affordability to environmental restoration, proving that our state can do anything it sets its mind to,” said Gov. Jay Inslee.

The City of Waitsburg was awarded the Smart Project Award for its successful Sewer System Improvement Project.

The Smart Project Award recognizes a local project that implements a comprehensive plan.

“The Waitsburg Sewer System Improvement project restores a community sewer system built in the 1930s with outdated brick manholes and clay sewer lines. The biggest sewer system improvement in the city’s history took careful planning, shared funding, and a specialized skill set to update this aging system,” as described in the award announcement.

There were 11 municipalities and their partners recognized across nine award categories.