Austin’s mayor was recently recognized for his work promoting greater Minnesota.

The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities gave Mayor Tom Stiehm the Excellence in Service Award on Aug. 21 during the coalition’s three-day summer conference in Rochester.

The award is annually given to a city leader who demonstrates knowledge, leadership and active participation in coalition program areas over the past year.

Stiehm was recognized for his advocacy on Local Government Aid, economic development and the extra attention he brought to Greater Minnesota this spring in a newspaper column he co-wrote with Cloquet Mayor Bruce Ahlgren. Stiehm and Ahlgren urged lawmakers to consider Greater Minnesota’s needs during the legislative session.

“Mayor Stiehm has been a strong member of our board for many years,” Randy Wilson, president of the CGMC and mayor of Glencoe, said in a press release. “He is always willing to speak out on issues that are important to Greater Minnesota communities and carry CGMC’s message to the media and the public.”