Recognizing the Best of the Indiana Uplands
The Indiana Uplands Regional Innovation Awards highlight the amazing people, groups, and organizations working to make the region a terrific place to work, live, learn, and play! Join us in helping to recognize deserving people, groups, and organizations that have made meaningful improvements to education, workforce, economic development, and/or quality of place within the 11 counties of the Uplands region.
2025 Award Winners
Becky Skillman Regional Leadership Award: Denny Spinner
The Becky Skillman Regional Leadership Award recognizes an individual or organization that has shown uncommon dedication to bringing the Indiana Uplands region together in pursuit of regional success and prosperity.
Read more about this year’s winner, Denny Spinner here.
Regional Collaboration Award: Federal Lab Technology Transfer for Beginners
The Regional Collaboration Award recognizes two or more organizations that have worked collaboratively to advance prosperity for residents of the Uplands region through education, economic, or quality of place efforts.
Read more about this year’s winner, the Federal Lab Technology Transfer for Beginners online course here.
Diversity Innovation Award: Asociación Latinoamericana del Sur de Indiana (ALASI)
The Diversity Innovation Award will honor individuals or organizations that have implemented innovative strategies for attracting and/or retaining diversity in the regional workforce.
Read more about this year’s winner, ALASI here.
Employer Innovation Award: PRD, Inc.
The Employer Innovation Award recognizes an Indiana Uplands employer who seeks creative solutions to talent and workforce development challenges, supports the success of regional key sectors, and exemplifies meaningful partnerships with K-12 schools, postsecondary institutions, and/or other employers.
Read more about this year’s winner, PRD here.
Quality of Place Innovation Award: The Owen News
The Quality of Place Innovation Award recognizes projects and meaningful community improvements that enhance the Indiana Uplands as an inventive, industrious, and friendly place to live, work, and play.
Read more about this year’s winner, The Owen News here.
Quality of Place Attraction Award: City of Washington The Commons
The Quality of Place Attraction Award recognizes a community, organization, or group that has coalesced around a project or program that welcomes both residents and visitors to enjoy the arts, culture, and natural beauty found only in the Uplands.
Read more about this year’s winner, City of Washington’s Commons project here.
STEM Innovation Award: Southridge High School Aviation Program
The STEM Innovation Award recognizes a program or organization that has made meaningful and novel contributions to STEM education or training in the Indiana Uplands.
Read more about this year’s winner, the Southridge High School Aviation Program here.
Talent Innovation Award: INvets
The Talent Innovation Award recognizes an entity that has designed and deployed an innovative strategy for improving our regional workforce through training, skill advancement, or talent attraction to the Indiana Uplands.
Read more about this year’s winner, INvets here.