The city of Avondale brought home multiple awards from the 31st Annual WESTMARC Best of the West Awards event.

Avondale Mayor Kenn Weise was honored by his West Valley peers when he received the WESTMARC Regional Advancement Award, presented to an individual who has strengthened and transformed the West Valley’s position for economic growth.

Several West Valley mayors jointly nominated Weise, and the WESTMARC Board of Directors unanimously voted for him to receive the award recognizing his work, dedication, and tenacity to seeing Proposition 400e across the finish line. Weise also received WESTMARC’s President’s Choice Award, awarded this year to all the mayors of West Valley cities.

Avondale also took home the Excellence in Innovation Award for its WeRide Microtransit Partnership with the cities of Goodyear and Surprise.

Launched in Avondale and Goodyear in November 2022, and joined by Surprise in April of this year, WeRide microtransit offers accessible, inexpensive, and on-demand shared rides in passenger vans. WeRIDE offers 15 minutes or less wait times, and pick up or drop off at convenient virtual stops that expand transportation options for seniors and other vulnerable populations.

By using more fuel-efficient vehicles, optimizing miles traveled, and reducing the number of individual vehicle trips, WeRIDE directly contributes to reduced vehicle emissions and improved air quality.

The Excellence in Education and Workforce Development Award also went to the city of Avondale and Estrella Mountain Community College for its scholarship partnership. In 2022 the city launched a cooperative effort with Estrella Mountain to help bridge both the immediate need for a workforce and the longer-term workforce pipeline issue, by leveraging some of the federal funding the city received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Avondale collaborated with EMCC and the Maricopa Community College Foundation to create the Avondale EDGE EMCC Scholarship, using $430,000 of Avondale’s ARPA dollars to support Nursing and Culinary Arts programs.

The first of its kind in Arizona, the funds are incrementally dispersed over three years, beginning in 2022, with the last disbursement scheduled for 2024, providing a new pathway for aspiring nurses and chefs.