The National Association of Counties (NACo)  is now accepting applications for the 2012 County Courthouse Awards. Established in 2001, the awards are sponsored by Siemens and recognize individual elected county officials from NACo member counties who demonstrate innovative and effective leadership to improve the quality of life of residents. One County Courthouse Award is presented each year in three categories: Rural, Suburban and Urban.

The awards program provides well deserved recognition for innovative county leaders and helps publicize their efforts so that others can build upon the good governance practices they have initiated in their communities.

“Good governance is very important as we attempt to meet the public safety, economic, environmental and technological challenges facing America’s counties,” said Commissioner Lenny Eliason, NACo president. “I encourage NACo members to participate and recognize an innovative and effective county elected official from their community or state. NACo simplified the application process this year so that it is easier for more county officials to apply through an online application”.

Award winners receive an engraved hand-crafted plaque that they can display in their county, recognition at the 2012 NACo Annual Conference in Allegheny County/Pittsburgh, PA and a $5,000 college scholarship to present to a graduating high school senior.

(Applications and information about the 2012 NACo County Courthouse Awards are now available on the NACo website at http://www.naco.org/courthouseawards . Applications must be submitted online by April 27, 2012. If you have questions, please contact NACo Associate Legislative Directors Dalen Harris or Erik Johnston at (202) 393-6226 or by email at dharris@naco.org or ejohnston@naco.org.)