The National Civic League has recognized 10 All-American cities, imcluding six that can be called rural (outside a metropolitan area) or at least have a strong rural character -- Owensboro, Ky., Montrose, Colo., Dubuque, Iowa, and the North Carolina cities of Dunn, Garner, and Thomasville. Winning cities "must
demonstrate innovation, inclusiveness, civic engagement, and cross
sector collaboration by describing successful efforts to address
pressing local challenges," according to the organization's website.
Owensboro, a city of 58,000, last won the award 61 years ago, reports the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer (which has a paywall). The Western Kentucky town won this year for its riverfront revitalization project on the Ohio River, funded in large measure by federal money, and projects for neighborhood revitalization and storm water improvements. (City of Owensboro photo: Lazy Dayz playground on riverfront)
Thomasville, pop. 27,000, was recognized for its programs for veterans, childhood obesity, and homeless students. Steve L. Muro, of the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, who gave the keynote speech at the ceremony, said "You’ve gathered around a goal. You’ve gathered around issues that need to be
corrected, and you’ve put your best foot forward. Whether you are city
managers are volunteers, you did the best you could to make things
change, to make the future better," reports the Thomasville Times. (Times photo by Eliot Duke: 2012 Memorial Day Parade)
Garner, a city of 27,000 just outside Raleigh, won for "the community’s response in blocking a proposed Triangle Expressway route through the city and successfully opposing the proposed closure of the local branch library," the Raleigh News and Observer reports.
Dunn, pop. 10,000, helped develop the state-of-the-art Central Harnett Hospital, finished a $3.2 downtown revitalization program, and has a successful police athletic league that helps the community's youth, according to the National Civic League. For coverage from the June 17 Dunn Daily Record, one of the few daily newspapers with all-local content, click here (free registration required).
Dubuque, a city of 58,000 on Iowa’s eastern border, won the award for the third time in seven years, reports Dar Danielson for Radio Iowa. Mayor Roy Buol said the city is re-developing a million square feet of mostly vacated and abandoned warehouse buildings into an arts community within walking distance of downtown. Dubuque also has a program to help out-of-work veterans get back into the workforce. (Read more)
"Montrose stressed its program to welcome returning veterans, its downtown development efforts and the reopening of a lumber mill," reports The Gazette in Colorado Springs. The city of 19,000 is on the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains, between Grand Junction and Durango.
Garner, a city of 27,000 just outside Raleigh, won for "the community’s response in blocking a proposed Triangle Expressway route through the city and successfully opposing the proposed closure of the local branch library," the Raleigh News and Observer reports.
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| Downtown Dunn, N.C. (Photo from Facebook) |
Dubuque, a city of 58,000 on Iowa’s eastern border, won the award for the third time in seven years, reports Dar Danielson for Radio Iowa. Mayor Roy Buol said the city is re-developing a million square feet of mostly vacated and abandoned warehouse buildings into an arts community within walking distance of downtown. Dubuque also has a program to help out-of-work veterans get back into the workforce. (Read more)
"Montrose stressed its program to welcome returning veterans, its downtown development efforts and the reopening of a lumber mill," reports The Gazette in Colorado Springs. The city of 19,000 is on the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains, between Grand Junction and Durango.
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