The City of Las Cruces Community Development Department and Community Development Director Larry F. Nichols have won the prestigious “Raising the Profile” Award, presented by the International Code Council (ICC).
The award recognizes the department’s innovative and creative development programs that have kept Las Cruces moving forward, despite circumstances that affected the COVID-19 pandemic. Nichols, an ICC member, will receive the award on behalf of the City at the ICC national conference on Sept. 13, 2022 in Louisville, Ky.
“This is truly an award that is shared by the entire Community Development Department,” Nichols said. “We were up against every city in the nation for this award. But I believe this department, this City, deserves to be the recipient of this award.”
Each year the ICC evaluates and selects nominations for recognition awards in categories ranging from individual to group achievements for building safe, sustainable, and successful development. The “Raising the Profile” Award is a prestigious national honor that promotes interest from developers, business investors, and citizens.
The award goes to the Community Development Department, and Nichols as its Director, through ICC’s recognition that Las Cruces’ development services have enabled the city to enjoy a livable, vibrant, safe, and prosperous environment.
“Development in Las Cruces has increased 34 percent in the last year,” Nichols said. “We have come up with creative procedures regardless of our circumstances.”
Community Development advocated for resources to support local communities and helped to raise their profiles within the construction industry. Their work has incorporated ICC best practice and brought forward ICC protocol.
Community Development works to ensure the core mission of ICC, to create the best codes and services. Therefore, ensuring that ICC will continue to remain a leader in the building safety industry both locally and statewide.
The award heralds Nichols and the Community Development Department for providing insightful leadership during the pandemic, regardless of COVID-19 spikes. Community Development, in alignment with the private sector developers, has kept development progressing, regardless of these circumstances.
Las Cruces development grew exponentially the past two years, implementing innovative programs while maintaining ICC protocol. Programs such as Interactive Video Inspection and Customized Plan Review, were introduced to expediate operations and provide building permit processing services with limited staff.
The International Code Council governs building, fire, energy codes and certifications in the United States and several international countries. The award is only one of eight the ICC presents annually. ICC has a membership of 64,000 professionals.
For information, contact Community Development Director Larry Nichols at 575/528-3340 or by email at lnichols@las-cruces.org.