James C. Howland Awards for Municipal Enrichment 1989-2005
Program Overview
The James C. Howland Awards for Municipal Enrichment recognize and highlight communities that, through effective policies and thoughtful planning, have preserved and/or enriched a high quality of life in cities, towns and villages.
In 2005, the National League of Cities (NLC) and CH2M HILL celebrated their 16th year as joint sponsors of the James C. Howland Awards for Municipal Enrichment. Descriptions of the most recent winning programs can be found below, under Past Howland Award Winners. We recommend municipalities of all sizes read the descriptions, and contact the individual listed for insights in how the program could be replicated.
Award Criteria
Submissions are evaluated on objective and subjective criteria
- Objective criteria includes: accurate completion of the nomination form; clear and descriptive information on the project; replicated availability in other cities; and at least one of the following four categories: exemplify successful public-private partnership ventures or effective citizen and community collaborations, and/or thoughtful planning and management of urban resources (public or private), and/or innovative government policies, and/or actual project implementation with measurable demonstrated results.
- Subjective criteria includes: the degree to which the program is innovative; the success of the local government in implementing the program; and the extent of the measurable benefit for the general community and local government.
Video of 2005 James C. Howland Awards ?
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Background on CH2M HILL
CH2M HILL is one of the largest engineering consulting firms in the country and is committed to the integration of technology with the environment.
The idea for CH2M HILL began to grow in the mid-1930s as three Oregon State College students, Holly Cornell, Burke Hayes and James C. Howland, came together under the influence of their civil engineering professor, Fred Merryfield. Merryfield remained quite active with his students outside the classroom, using this environment to plant the seed for an engineering partnership. After graduation and throughout World War II, Merryfield and his students maintained an active dialogue about a potential partnership. Their formal partnership became a reality in January 1946.
Today, CH2M HILL is a $2.5 billion engineering and construction project delivery company, committed to building a better world through people, technology, and excellence in project delivery. The firm?s work is concentrated in the areas of environment, water, energy, transportation, communications, construction, and industrial facilities. Headquartered in Denver, CH2M HILL has more than 10,500 employees working in 165 offices worldwide, where respect for the environment is reflected in safe, innovative, and environmentally sound work practices.
Background on James C. Howland
Mr. Howland served as chief executive officer for CH2M HILL from 1947-1974. During this time, he was responsible for the firm?s overall management, organization and direction. In this period, CH2M HILL developed into a major multidisciplinary organization of more than 1,000 employees with a national and international reputation. He was Chairman of the Board and Director of Operations from 1974 to 1978.
Jim is often cited as providing the heart and soul of CH2M HILL, and when the opportunity arose to create a legacy award, he decided to create something that recognized cities that take care of their people. He came up with the idea after completing a community beautification program in his hometown of Corvallis, Oregon.
He remembers, ?After the original partners retired, the next management group decided to sponsor some sort of a national competition in the name of each original partner. When my turn came, I had two thoughts. First, that it would be good to do something that connected the firm to clients and potential clients. Second, my wife, Meisy, and I had been working on a project to make a Corvallis street more of an attractive people place, and we felt something rewarding improvements such as this would be good.?
Jim still works in the Corvallis, Oregon, office when he is not guest lecturing at offices across the country. His "Little Yellow Book" is a homespun distillation of honest corporate philosophy and human kindness for employees and clients alike. He is also active in community improvement projects and with the CH2M HILL Alumni Center, which the firm designed and built on the campus of Oregon State University (Formerly Oregon State College).
Past Howland Award Winners