The American Planning Association is recognizing the work of the Metropolitan Council — the seven-country metro’s regional planning agency — with an Achievement Award, one of 21 juried honors the APA plans to bestow on planning agencies across the country.

The five Excellence Awards and 16 Achievement Awards will be distributed April 23.

The Met Council received a silver award for best practices in recognition of “Planning Assistance for Thriving Communities,” a package of tools compiled to help the state’s 188 local governments with comprehensive planning. Those initiatives tie into the Met Council’s regional plan, Thrive MSP 2040.

The Met Council’s web-based Local Planning Handbook highlights exemplary planning work around the region and covers land use, housing, natural resources, economic development and more.