New Hanover County has been recognized with 10 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties, according to a news release.
 
Each year, the National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards Program recognizes county government programs "that build healthy, safe and vibrant communities," stated the release.

“New Hanover County has earned 44 NACo Achievement Awards over the past six years, highlighting the incredible work of our dedicated employees and the county’s innovative programs that serve the community in new and better ways,” New Hanover County Manager Chris Coudriet said in the release.

“I am especially proud of the Best in Category award we received this year. Out of 844 NACo awards that were given across the country, only 18 programs were chosen for this prestigious designation. And we are the only county in North Carolina to earn a Best in Category award this year as well,” he said.

Officials said that the awards are given nationally in 18 different categories that “reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide.”

New Hanover County programs that were awarded this year are: 

• “Wilmington Massacre and Coup d’état of 1898 Story Map” in the category of Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation
• “Fire Vaccination Team Program” in the category of Risk and Emergency Management
• “Health and Human Services Supervision Initiative” in the category of Personnel Management, Employment and Training
• “New Hanover County Culture of Resiliency” in the category of Training and Professional Development
• “Covid-19 Child Care and Housing Assistance Program” in the category of Human Services
• “Covid-19 Vaccination Outreach and Plan for the Minority Community” in the category of Civic Education and Public Information
• “Small Business Grant Program” in the category of Community and Economic Development
• “Comprehensive Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic” in the category of Health
• “Stormwater Management Models for the Arboretum” in the category of County Resiliency: Infrastructure, Energy, and Sustainability
• “Process Improvement for the Health and Human Services Mailroom” – Best in Category for County Administration and Management