The 2026 Smart Growth Awards is Coming!
Vision Long Island’s Smart Growth Awards is coming! Organized by a long time sponsor – more like family, really – this event is some of the best networking I know. Hope you sign up for their deeply informative Main Street News, follow them on Facebook, and check out their Vimeo for insightful interviews with all sorts of people who make it their business to serve the people and communities of Long Island.
Honoring Folks Who Strengthen Our Communities
For two and a half decades, Vision Long Island has been honoring individuals, organizations and projects that advance the growth of our downtowns and infrastructure. Specific focus areas include transit-oriented development, affordable housing, environmental sustainability, traffic calming, transportation enhancements, clean energy and community based planning. Join them:
What: 2026 Smart Growth Awards
When: June 12, 11am-2pm
Where: The Crest Hollow Country Club, 8325 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury
Registration & Sponsorship Opportunities: Available here
2025 Honorees Include
Corporate Leadership
Elizabeth Custodio, M&T Bank
Community Leadership
Joye Brown, Newsday
Transit Oriented Development
Village of Westbury & Alpine Residential
Town of Islip & Georgica Green Ventures
Town of Hempstead & Breslin Realty
Town of Smithtown & Terwilliger & Bartone
Revitalizing Communities
Sisters of St. Josephs’s & Concern Housing – Brentwood
Village of Mineola & Adam Mann – Mineola
Human Needs
United Way & National Grid – Project Warmth
Town of North Hempstead – Project Independence
Planning
Town of Babylon – East Farmingdale Master Plan
Walkability
Village of Amityville
Environment
Suffolk County – Working Waterfront Program
Affordable Housing
Town of East Hampton – Affordable Housing Program
Town of Babylon & D&F Development – Wyandanch
Town of Hempstead & Tunnels to Towers – Island Park
Be Informed and Inspired: Check Out The Main St. News
One thing I really love about this event is the videography of Rob Comforto. For decades now, Rob has helped Vision share its events, its work and important, informative conversations. Such videos feature a full range of local and regional leadership, including mini-documentaries explaining the people, projects and policies they honor at the Smart Growth Awards. You’ve got to dig, but it’s worth the effort, and you’ll find a lot more worth watching along the way!
In addition to the annual mini-documentaries of honorees, you can over 900 deeply informative interviews and editorials under the heading, “Main Street News.” Recent gems include interviews with:
Dorothy Roberts of the LI Hospitality Association, talking about what the Association does and the importance of the tourism and hospitality economy on Long Island
Michael Lavorata, Mayor of Lindenhurst, talking about their downtown revitalization, including walkability, new businesses, events and redevelopment.
Rebecca Sanin, Suffolk County Legislator, talking about a range of issues in her district and her personal dedication to public service.
Alexandra Howell of the Child Care Council of Suffolk, sharing resources that can assist families with child care. It’s important information for employers, as well.
Most recently, they produced a pointed and sincere public service announcement, “focused on being sober to folks economic challenges – particular the large majority of Long Islanders who are middle class, working class or poorer,” with a main point that “a little understanding and a little less arrogance goes a long way for folks to work better together.” We agree whole-heartedly.
There’s much, much more. The whole channel is a fantastic way to understand what’s going on in the region, and who’s out there working to address the challenges and serve our communities. It’s filmed in the studios of Tiger Media and sponsored by Nation Grid We’re grateful.
What is Smart Growth?
Basically? It’s a very holistic approach to community development that recognizes the importance of building places for people that respect the environment and are good for the economy. There’s a major emphasis on downtown community centers and, in Vision’s case, deep, meaningful relationship development across sectors and interests.
In terms of clear criteria, these awards are based on a recipients ability to demonstrate one or more of the following:
- Mix Land Uses
- Take advantage of compact building design
- Create housing choices for a range of household types, family sizes and incomes
- Strengthen existing communities and achieve more balanced regional development
- Encourage citizen and stakeholder participation in development decisions
- Create walkable neighborhoods
- Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place
- Preserve open space, farmland, historic buildings and critical environmental areas
- Provide a variety of transportation choices
- Make development decisions predictable, fair and cost effective
- Utilize clean energy and green building development
