The Marlborough Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) has been named as recipient of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Planning Association’s Planning Project Award 2011.

MEDC completed its award-winning "Marlborough Economic Development Master Plan: Building the New Marlborough Economy" in September. The 383-page document is an analysis of existing economic conditions in the city and steps that need to be taken to spur further growth and expand the tax base.

APA-MA’s awards program, the state’s highest honor for planning professionals, was established years ago to recognize outstanding comprehensive plans, planning programs and initiatives, public education efforts, and individuals for their leadership on planning issues, according to a statement. These efforts help create communities and neighborhoods of lasting value throughout Massachusetts.

The Planning Project Award, which honors a specific project, bylaw, ordinance, or document of

unusually high merit, was awarded to both the Marlborough Economic Development Master Plan and the Concord Riverwalk project in Concord led by NOW Communities.

 "We hope this plan, focused strictly on economic development, will be a model for other communities facing today’s challenging economic realities," said Arthur Bergeron, MEDC chairman.

Marlborough’s master plan, commissioned by the city of Marlborough and managed by MEDC,  was produced by FXM Assoc. in collaboration with The Cecil Group, Economic Development Research Group (EDR Group) and AECOM.