Community Development Leader Awards
Brought to you by SAFEbuilt
Recognizing outstanding contributions in municipal leadership
The Community Development Leader Awards (CDLAs) recognize the tireless work and unwavering commitment of the local leaders — including city managers, public works directors, city engineers, and municipal leaders — who keep our communities safe, running, growing, and thriving. Their behind-the-scenes efforts often go unrecognized, but their impact is immense.
These awards represent a unique and prestigious new national accolade, unparalleled in its scope and significance.
This initiative stands alone in its dedication to honoring municipal leaders, transcending regional boundaries and peer recognitions.
Join us in this momentous initiative to recognize and elevate those who are shaping our communities for the better.
Inspired by remarkable public servants
As an industry leader providing building department services to thousands of communities across the country for more than 30 years, we at SAFEbuilt understand the dedication, innovation, passion, and leadership these professionals demonstrate daily. We see it every day in offices, on job sites, in town halls, and around our neighborhoods. And this work is often so much more than “business as usual.”
We established the CDLAs to honor this hard work and the challenges these remarkable individuals face, as well as their innovations and their achievements. The CDLAs are a long-awaited opportunity to bring some well-deserved recognition to their service.
2025 nominations are now closed. Sign up to receive email notification regarding this year’s winners and next year’s submission window.
STAY UP TO DATENominate a community leader today
It takes all kinds of leaders to make an impact on the communities they serve. That’s why we have an award available for many different titles and contributions, including:
City Manager of the Year 
Community Development Director of the Year 
City Engineer / Public Works Director of the Year 
Public Service Innovator Award 
Sustainability Trailblazer Award 
And the nominees are … up to you
It’s time to put these tireless leaders and community innovators in the spotlight. And the nominations are up to the people who know them best: their colleagues, staff, partners, and community members. People like you.
2025 nominations are now closed, but you can still sign up to receive updates regarding our winners and next year’s awards.
Meet the 2024 winners
We’re excited and honored to announce our 2024 winners. The number of nominations and their achievements have been astonishing. Our congratulations to the winners and thanks to the all those who submitted.
Winners