FRENCH LICK – Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (Aim) announced Greenwood has earned an Aim Community Program Innovation Award for their creativity to continue operating through the COVID-19 Pandemic. The city was honored with this award on October 6 during the Annual Awards Luncheon – presented by Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC during the 2021 Aim Ideas Summit in French Lick. Greenwood won in the 20,001 to 100,000 population category.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Greenwood and the Greenwood Parks and Recreation department were committed to safely continuing to provide recreational outlets for the community. In the beginning, RecTV was created and hosted on YouTube to bring daily segments centered around craft projects, games, and trivia. The channel also highlighted local businesses offering carry-out food options and take-home activity kits. In Spring 2020, the city altered its annual Arbor Day Tree-Giveaway to a contactless drive-through event giving out 1,000 trees. The creativity continued with a social media fish derby, modified summer camp, and a socially distanced Halloween Parade. The greatest accomplishment for the city was that they were able to continue operating during the pandemic without having to lay-off or furlough a single employee.
“Sometimes cities and towns make a huge difference with programs that enhance the living experience for local families. Innovation doesn’t always involve bricks and mortar – sometimes it’s creative thinking and being willing to think outside of the box. I’m really proud of how cities like Greenwood stepped up to the plate during the pandemic and helped their citizens cope with unprecedented circumstances,” noted Greller.
Conference Facts:
2021 Aim Ideas Summit
October 5-7, 2021
French Lick Resort
Attendance: 1,000 (pending final registration count)
Further information: www.aimindiana.org
Since the 1890s, Aim, formerly the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, has been an advocate for Indiana municipalities. Aim is the official voice of municipal government in Indiana, with more than 460 cities and towns as members. Our purpose is to foster, promote and advocate for the success of Hoosier municipalities as laboratories of innovation, hubs of talent and the engines driving our state’s economy.