City of Hendersonville’s Gen H Comprehensive Plan Wins Prestigious Statewide Planning Award

The City of Hendersonville Community Development Department is proud to announce that it has been awarded the 2025 Marvin Collins Outstanding Planning Award in the category of ‘Comprehensive Plan - Small Community’ for the Gen H Comprehensive Plan.

The award was presented on October 15, 2025, by the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-NC) at its annual conference in Charlotte, NC, and recognizes the best in planning achievements across the state. The Marvin Collins Award highlights outstanding efforts in urban and regional planning that reflect creativity, vision, and community engagement - values that were at the core of the Gen H planning process.

“This award is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the leadership of our elected officials, and the voices of our residents who shaped Gen H from the ground up,” said Matthew Manley, Long Range Planning Manager for the City of Hendersonville. “We’re honored to receive this recognition from APA-NC and proud to see our community’s hard work acknowledged on a statewide level.”

The Gen H Comprehensive Plan is a forward-looking guide that sets a shared vision for growth, development, and quality of life in Hendersonville through the year 2045. Developed through an extensive public engagement process, Gen H emphasizes sustainability, housing choice, economic resilience, and the preservation of the city’s unique character.

The Marvin Collins Award underscores Hendersonville’s commitment to thoughtful planning for the future, particularly as one of North Carolina’s smaller communities navigating change and growth with intention.

To learn more about the Gen H Comprehensive Plan, visit www.hendersonvillenc.gov/GenH.

Check out the team's award acceptance video here - https://youtu.be/3g7we8kILTw.