The nominations for Awards 2005 that received the three highest evaluations in their respective category qualified as Finalists. The Finalists in each category are listed below alphabetically.

In the category of Urban or Suburban Economic Development the nominations are evaluated to determine how effectively they utilize innovative, market-based strategies to improve urban or suburban economic development.

Baltimore County Government
Specific Program: Eastern Baltimore County Renaissance Initiative Baltimore, Maryland

Elizabeth Development Company Elizabeth, New Jersey

Greater Louisville, Inc. Specific Program: High Impact Portfolio Louisville, Kentucky

In the category of Rural Economic Development the nominations are evaluated to determine how effectively they utilize innovative, market-based strategies to improve rural economic development results.

Bear Paw Development Corporation
Havre, Montana

Satsop Development Park and Grays Harbor Public Development Authority Elma, Washington

Wells College and The Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation Specific Program: Aurora Foundation

In the category of Enhancing Regional Competitiveness the nominations are evaluated to determine how effectively they enhance regional competitiveness and support long-term development of the regional economy.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA (CNP)
Specific Program: Powder Metals Initiative Erie, Pennsylvania

Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance Norfolk, Virginia

Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation New Windsor, New York

In the category of Economic Adjustment Strategies the nominations are evaluated to determine how effectively they help communities plan and implement economic adjustment strategies in response to sudden and sever economic dislocations.

Broad Hollow Bioscience Park
Farmingdale, New York

City of Pueblo, Colorado Pueblo, Colorado

Florida Small Business Development Center Network Pensacola, Florida

In the category of Technology-led Economic Development the nominations are evaluated to determine how effectively they support technology-led economic development and reflect the important role of linking universities and industries and technology transfers.

North Dakota State University Research and Technology Park, Inc.
Fargo, North Dakota

Sandia Science and Technology Park lbuquerque, New Mexico

University of Kentucky Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship Lexington, Kentucky

In the category of Community and Faith-Based Social Entrepreneurship the nominations are evaluated to determine how effectively they advance community and faith-based social entrepreneurship in redevelopment strategies for areas of chronic, economic distress.

Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
New York, New York

Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, Inc. Eugene, Oregon

Southwest Key Program, Inc. Specific Program: Southwest Key East Austin Community Development Project Austin, Texas

In the category of Innovation the nominations are evaluated to determine how effectively they incorporate innovative strategies for maximum results.

Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
Danville, Virginia

Operation Hope, Inc. Los Angeles, California

Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development Specific Program: Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation Philadelphia, Pennsylvania