Gov. Corbett presented awards to four state agencies for their efforts to save money, increase productivity and improve service.  The first Innovation of the Year awards were presented on Wednesday at the Innovation Expo in Harrisburg.

The departments of Public Welfare and Conservation and Natural Resources received an Honorable Mention Award for their Happy Campers Program.

In 2012, the Department of Public Welfare partnered with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to use its facilities at Hickory Run State Park for its annual summer camping trip for residents of the DPW White Haven Center.  The new camping location provided significant cost savings to DPW, which were reinvested in providing a greater variety of activities to residents both during the camping trip and throughout the year.

“These are just a few examples of how employees throughout state government are working to bring about meaningful changes and improvements to how we operate,” Corbett said.  “The efficiencies and cost savings – more than $175 million so far - have played a vital role in maintaining funding and services through years of tight budgets.”

The Governor’s Innovation Office has tracked more than 80 projects undertaken by state agencies with a combined $175 million in cost savings and productivity gains.  An additional 140 projects with an estimated $200 million in savings and productivity are in progress.

Agencies presented their innovations to a panel of private sector judges, who evaluated and selected the top initiatives.

A complete list of award winners is available online.

To learn more about innovation in state government or to submit your own idea, visit the Governor’s Innovation Office website.

8/5/2013