The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) has recently been recognized with a 2026 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for the Reality Check 2.0 - Collaborative Planning for Future Growth event held on April 30, 2025.
BCDCOG, in partnership with ULI South Carolina, convened Reality Check 2.0 to envision how the region can accommodate growth through 2045. The original Reality Check was held in 2007. Eighteen years later, with population and employment growth surpassing prior forecasts, regional leaders recognized the need to revisit the exercise and build fresh consensus. According to the BCDCOG Travel Demand Model, the region is projected to add 270,000 residents, 102,000 households, and 140,000 jobs by 2045.
More than 150 leaders from government, business, and nonprofit organizations participated, working to establish principles that balance growth while conserving the Lowcountry’s communities, character, and natural environment. Using an interactive, map-based approach, participants identified priorities and strategies to balance development with environmental conservation, infrastructure capacity, and community character. The effort produced five guiding principles and actionable strategies now informing local plans, zoning reforms, and investment decisions. By fostering collaboration and consensus, the initiative has strengthened regional alignment, influenced policy discussions, and positioned communities to manage growth more sustainably and effectively.
Presented annually, the NADO Impact Awards honor regional development organizations and their partners for strengthening communities, building regional resilience, and enhancing local economies through creative approaches to economic and community development. NADO is a Washington, DC-based membership association of regional development organizations that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies.
This year’s cohort included 94 impactful projects led by 58 organizations across 20 states. These award-winning efforts will be recognized during NADO’s 2026 Annual Training Conference, to be held this coming October in Reno, Nevada. All selected projects are featured in an interactive StoryMap that showcases summaries, images, and key partners. The map is available at https://www.nado.org/2026-
“Each year, the Impact Awards celebrate the remarkable work being done by regional development organizations to strengthen communities and improve quality of life,” said 2025-2026 NADO President Matthew Dolge, Executive Director of the Piedmont Triad Regional Council in North Carolina. “This year’s honorees demonstrate how strategic leadership, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to progress can create meaningful and lasting benefits across the country.”
“The region must work together to effectively plan for the projected growth in residents, jobs and households that will arrive here by 2045,” said Ron Mitchum, Executive Director of the BCDCOG. “Reality Check 2.0 gave leaders the opportunity to work collaboratively, build consensus and agree on paths forward. We’re honored that NADO has recognized the effort, highlighting the value of regional collaboration.”
The Impact Awards are presented in memory of Aliceann Wohlbruck, NADO’s first executive director, who was a lifelong advocate for regional solutions and rural economic development.
For more information, contact Matthew Spath, Communications Director, (843) 529-2715 or matthews@bcdcog.com.