This category recognizes initiatives that create a better future by providing services and other support to help unleash the economic potential of people and places or that build a 21st-century workforce to meet the needs of local companies. This category recognizes initiatives that include, but are not limited to: supporting the inclusion of underrepresented groups in the innovation economy; preparing a STEM-educated workforce; or, connecting workers with the training and/or education necessary to address the needs of key regional industries.
Evaluation criteria
- Impact = 25%
- Transferability of Lessons Learned = 20%
- Partnerships = 15%
- Context = 15%
- Innovativeness = 10%
- Ability to Achieve its Vision = 15%
