Prince William County Earns 2026 NACo Achievement Awards

The National Association of Counties, or NACo, has recognized Prince William County with four 2026 Achievement Awards, honoring innovative county programs that improve government services and enhance the quality of life for residents. The awards recognize new approaches to county government and highlight programs that can serve as models for counties across the nation. 

This year's recognized programs showcase Prince William County's commitment to innovation in public engagement, transportation, public safety and access to government services while advancing the county's Strategic Plan goals of Mobility, Service Delivery, Government, and Safe and Secure Community. 

"These awards reflect what is possible when our departments work together to solve challenges and improve how we serve our community," said County Executive Chris Shorter. "Whether we're making government services more accessible, investing in transportation, strengthening public safety or finding new ways to engage residents, these programs demonstrate our commitment to innovation and delivering exceptional service." 

Community Outreach Plan

Prince William County earned an Achievement Award in the Civic Education and Public Information category for its Community Outreach Plan, an innovative initiative that reimagined how the county engages residents on transportation and community safety projects.  

Developed through a partnership between the Department of Transportation, the Office of Community Safety and the Transformation Management Office, or TMO, the plan was created to move beyond traditional public meetings and public hearings by providing more meaningful opportunities for residents to learn about projects, share feedback and help shape decisions.  

Since launching the initiative, the county has introduced several first-of-their-kind outreach efforts, including annual transportation reports, regional Transportation Open Houses, expanded community safety partnerships and public education campaigns, supporting initiatives such as automated photo enforcement, the Comprehensive Traffic Safety Action Plan and residential parking improvements. Together, these efforts have strengthened public engagement, increased transparency and fostered stronger partnerships between county government and the community. 

Seals on Wheels

The Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk Seals on Wheels program earned an award in the Criminal Justice and Public Safety category for strengthening community access to essential court services to residents across the county including the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.   

The program brings a fully equipped circuit court clerk office to libraries, festivals and community events on select Saturdays to offer services including marriage licenses, concealed carry permits, name changes, court case copies and property deed records. By bringing services directly into the community, the program helps reduce barriers for residents with transportation, scheduling or travel challenges.  

Police Cadet Program

The Prince William County Police Department earned an Achievement Award in the Criminal Justice and Public Safety category for its Police Cadet Program, which helps build the department's future workforce while providing career opportunities for local youth.  

Cadets receive hands-on experience in community policing, operations, investigations and support. At the age of 21, eligible cadets can transition seamlessly to the police academy to complete their training and become sworn police officers. The program supports the department's long-term recruitment and retention efforts while developing the next generation of public safety professionals.  

Route 1 Corridor Revitalization Initiative

The county earned an award in the transportation category for its Route 1 Corridor Revitalization Initiative. Rather than treating roadway improvements as individual projects, the county developed a coordinated, six-segment strategy that aligns transportation investments with economic development, community revitalization and long-range land use planning along one of the county's most significant multimodal corridors.  

This phased approach improves safety and mobility while supporting redevelopment, expanding transportation options and enhancing quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors.