(2025 Thrive Aware Winner NOVA Apartments Watson Development | Photo courtesy of REDI)
Redmond Economic Development Inc. (REDI) has officially opened the nomination window for its annual Thrive Award, a prestigious honor recognizing the outstanding projects, initiatives and partnerships that are actively driving Redmond’s economy forward.
Members of the community are invited to submit nominations for individuals, groups or organizations that have made a lasting positive impact on the local economic landscape. The deadline for all nominations is September 30, 2026, with the winner to be formally announced and celebrated in early January 2027.
Honoring Innovation and Resilience
The Thrive Award was inspired by Redmond’s enduring spirit of growth and resilience. Drawing inspiration from the “Future of Flight” structure at Highland Avenue and North Highway 97, the award celebrates that, through both prosperous and challenging times, there is always an opportunity to build, overcome and thrive.
“REDI’s mission is to build prosperity through business and community development, but we cannot achieve this alone,” said REDI Director, Steve Curley. “This award allows us to publicly thank and recognize the collaborative partners, citizens and organizations who harness the region’s economic momentum and takes it one step further to elevate the economic landscape of our community.”
A Legacy of Impact
The Thrive Award has a rich history of celebrating diverse initiatives that strengthen Redmond’s workforce, culture and community vitality. Past recipients reflect this broad impact ranging from workforce housing and business relief efforts to foundational community programs. Notable past honorees include:
- The NOVA Apartments: A downtown Urban Renewal public-private partnership that transformed a neglected local landmark into “affordable-by-design” workforce housing
- Redmond Executive Association’s Crab Crack: An annual fundraising event that has generated critical resources to support local high school and college youth internship programs, pairing hundreds of students with local businesses for hands-on experience.
- Dry Canyon Arts Association: An all-volunteer organization that has enriched Redmond’s cultural and business landscape through initiatives like the First Friday Art Walk and elementary art education.
- Mountain View Community Development: Honored for its impactful Safe Parking Program, which provides essential localized community support by providing pathways to people experiencing homelessness.
- Redmond Rallies: A grassroots, behind-the-scenes collaboration between the Redmond Chamber and The City of Redmond that aided ailing local businesses with grant requests and PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Award Criteria
Nominees will be evaluated by a panel using a five-point scoring system based on six key pillars of community and economic success:
- Benefit to the Community: Tangible impacts such as job creation, expanding the tax base, advancing education or workforce development, improving childcare, or setting the stage for future economic success.
- Spin-off Impact: The ripple effect, or community domino effect, of the project, whether planned or unplanned.
- Creativity and Innovation: Original approaches to strategic partnerships, financing, joint ventures, or land acquisitions.
- Achievement and Results: Achievement of stated objectives with clear, measurable results.
- Relationship and Community Support: Development of strong relationships backed by widespread community support.
- Relevance and Transferability: Elements of the initiative that can serve as a blueprint and be adapted by other communities.
How to Nominate or Sponsor
Do you know a project or partnership that has elevated Redmond this past year? Nomination forms and detailed submission guidelines can be found online at rediinfo.com/about-redi/thrive-award.
Exclusive sponsorship opportunities for the 2026/2027 Thrive Award are also available to local businesses looking to champion economic development in Central Oregon. To learn more about sponsorship or the nomination process, call REDI at (541) 923-5223 or email Mary at mary@edcoinfo.com.
About Redmond Economic Development Inc. (REDI):
Redmond Economic Development Inc. (REDI) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to creating a vibrant, diversified local economy. Through business recruitment, retention and community expansion partnerships, REDI works to build long-term prosperity for the citizens, businesses and visitors of Redmond and the greater Central Oregon region.
