Think tank Beacon Center of Tennessee is one of three finalists for a national award in the category of Best Issue Campaign.
The Beacon Center was nominated for its award for a mini-documentary titled “Rigged: The Injustice of Corporate Welfare.”
The Bob Williams Awards for Outstanding Policy Achievement celebrate state think tanks that develop credible research to help states create free-market solutions with national impact.
The Bob Williams Awards are hosted by the State Policy Network. The national nonprofit promotes “a vision of an America where personal freedom, innovation, opportunity, and a more peaceful society help all Americans flourish.”
The organization supports the growth of a collaborative network of 64 state think tanks and 90 affiliate partners. These partners strengthen working families and defend rights. They do this by promoting policies to create a level playing field and promote freedom, economic liberty, rule of law, property rights and limited government.
SPN works these think tanks “to catalyze thriving, durable freedom movements in every state, anchored with high performing independent think tanks so that every American has a voice.”
SPN was founded in 1992 by South Carolina entrepreneur Thomas Roe at the urging of former President Ronald Reagan.
The Beacon Center’s mini-documentary told the story of two furniture store owners near Memphis who were forced to compete with IKEA after the global furniture giant was awarded $10 million to open a store near their operations.
“The documentary received many awards and media attention, making corporate welfare a primary issue for candidates running for state office,” SPN said.
The other finalists in the award category are The Buckeye Institute for “Worker Voting Rights,” and Foundation for Government Accountability for “Farm Bill 2018: The Power of Work.”
Other award categories are Most Influential Research and Biggest Win. The winners will be announced at SPN’s 26th Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City on October 9-12.
