|
three community projects that address local challenges such as job creation/economic
<br />development, environmental sustainability, neighborhood revitalization and disaster
<br />recovery.
<br />
<br />“The All-America City Award is like a civic ‘Oscar’ for communities of all sizes,” said
<br />National Civic League President Gloria Rubio-Cortés. “It’s unique because it recognizes
<br />the efforts of entire communities. All-America Cities demonstrate inclusiveness,
<br />collaboration, civic engagement, and innovation.”
<br />
<br />Listed alphabetically by state are the 2009 finalists:
<br />Phoenix, Arizona Windsor Heights, Iowa Toledo, Ohio
<br />Fort Smith, Arkansas Wichita, Kansas Wooster, Ohio
<br />Inglewood, California Pocomoke City, Maryland Toledo, Oregon
<br />Rancho Cordova, California Rockville, Maryland Erie, Pennsylvania
<br />Windsor, Colorado Salisbury, Maryland Providence, Rhode Island
<br />Tampa, Florida Somerville, Massachusetts Chattanooga, Tennessee
<br />Bensenville, Illinois Belton, Missouri Rowlett, Texas
<br />Carbondale, Illinois Albany, New York Caroline County, Virginia
<br />Fort Wayne, Indiana Benson, North Carolina
<br />Richmond, Indiana Kinston, North Carolina
<br />South Bend, Indiana
<br /> Clinton, North Carolina
<br />Des Moines, Iowa Statesville, North Carolina
<br />
<br />“This year is the 60th Anniversary of the All-America City Awards. We are inviting all
<br />former winners (more than 500 of them) to come to the event in Tampa to be recognized,
<br />and to share their lessons learned and community stories with their peers,” noted Rubio-
<br />Cortés.
<br />
<br />During the three-day competition, a delegation from each community will present its
<br />challenges and solutions to a jury of national experts from across the United States. At
<br />least one community project must focus on the needs of young people.
<br />
<br />South Bend’s three projects highlighted the transformation of the Northeast
<br />Neighborhood culminating in Eddy Street Commons, various City efforts for increased
<br />efficiency in the wake of property tax caps, and the We Can! initiative to address
<br />childhood obesity.
<br />
<br />The All-America City Award is an honor achieved by more than 500 neighborhoods,
<br />villages, towns, cities, counties, and regions across the country. Some have won the
<br />award multiple times.
<br />
<br />Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the National Civic League strengthens democracy
<br />by increasing the capacity of our nation’s people to fully participate in and build healthy
<br />and prosperous communities across America. Founded in 1894 by Theodore Roosevelt
<br />and other government reformers, NCL is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that
<br />accomplishes its mission through training, technical assistance, publishing, facilitating
<br />community-wide strategic planning and awards programs. For more information on NCL
<br />and its programs, visit www.ncl.org
<br />
<br />- 30 -
<br />
|