Already recognized as an outstanding Metropolitan Planning Organization at the 25th Annual Indiana MPO Conference, the Northwest Indiana Regional Greenways and Blueways Plan recently received two additional awards of distinction.

The plan provides a detailed analysis of potential land corridors and water routes in the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission region.

The American Planning Association - Indiana Chapter awarded NIRPC the Outstanding Marketing Initiative award at its annual spring conference in Indianapolis. Mitch Barloga, the plan's co-coordinator, accepted the award on behalf of NIRPC and Openlands. The award deals with a public information program or project by a planning organization that raises awareness of planning issues, increasing community participation in planning or makes a significant contribution to advancing the cause planning in their community.

"Receiving an award is always a thrill for NIRPC and in this case it's even better to be recognized for such distinction by your own peers," Barloga said. "It was obviously a big honor for all of us here. We took a lot of pride in putting together a unique document that would be looked upon as something in a ground-breaking fashion, and we're glad it was recognized as thus."

NIRPC also received a Certificate of Nomination from the National Association of Regional Councils at its annual conference and exhibition in Denver. NARC Achievement Awards consider criteria including the impact of a program or project on its region, the involvement of private and civic sectors and originality, ability to replicate and quality.

AC Incorporated, a Valparaiso-based marketing firm, in conjunction with NIRPC and the Openlands Project, designed and developed the award-winning plan brochure.

NIRPC and AC are in the process of adding a Web site, http://www.greenwaysblueways.com, so the general public can gain access to the Greenways and Blueways Plan online. There will also be a link to the plan at http://www.NIRPC.ORG.