NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: June 12, 2004
Contact: Gary Chandler
Phone: 303.571.4343
Fax: 303.571.4404
Email: gchandler@ncl.org

National Civic League Announces Recipients
Of 2004 All-America City Award

30 Communities Complete Competition for Civic Award

ATLANTA - The National Civic League crowned the 2004 winners of the coveted All-America City Award - the nation's longest running and most prestigious civic recognition program.

The All-America City Award encourages and recognizes civic excellence, honoring the communities in which citizens, government, businesses and nonprofit organizations demonstrate successful resolution of critical community issues. Since 1949, more than 4,000 communities have competed and nearly 500 have been designated All-America Cities.

The winning communities for 2004 are (in alphabetical order by state):
· Stockton, CA
· Pembroke Pines, FL
· Evansville, IN
· Montevideo, MN
· Concord, NC
· Springfield, OH
· Cottage Grove, OR
· Hidalgo, TX
· Spokane, WA
· Philippi, WV

The other Finalist communities that competed for the 2004 All-America City title include (listed in alphabetical order by state):

· Stamford, CT
· Clearwater, FL
· Deerfield Beach, FL
· Lauderhill, FL
· Palm Bay, FL
· Pompano Beach, FL
· Olathe, KS
· St. Martinville, LA
· Grand Rapids, MI
· Taylor, MI		 · Morris, MN
· Red Wing, MN
· Hattiesburg, MS
· Farmville, NC
· Clinton, NC
· Sparks, NV
· Lakeview, OR
· Fort Mill, SC
· Orangeburg County, SC
· Cedar City, UT

"All of these finalist communities serve as models for the rest of the country," said Christopher T. Gates, president of the National Civic League. "They are tackling challenges that seem insurmountable and are producing positive and tangible results with ingenuity and collaboration."

The 30 Finalists participated in a final round of the All-America City competition in Atlanta, Georgia, June 10-12. A delegation from each Finalist community presented their innovative programs and local solutions to a nine-person jury. Their presentations addressed a wide range of social and community issues, including crime, education, poverty, housing, and race relations.

George H. Gallup, one of the award's founders, described the program as "…a Nobel prize for constructive citizenship." As such, communities that have won the All-America City Award have realized numerous benefits, including national recognition and enhanced community pride. Many All-America City Award winners also have realized significant economic impacts, including new grants, improved bond ratings, increased tourism, and greater economic activity.

"Since winning the award in 1990, 71 companies have relocated here, bringing in 3,900 new jobs as of 2003. These new jobs are generating an annual payroll of more than $100 million," said Paul Anderson, Chair of Jobs Plus, in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. "The Award gave us the credibility and pride to encourage these companies to relocate."

The National Civic League (NCL) is one of the leading proponents of citizen democracy in the United States. Founded in 1894 by Theodore Roosevelt and other government reformers, it is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to building community and promoting political reform at the local level. NCL accomplishes its mission through facilitating community processes and conducting and publishing research on political reform and community building. Through its All-America City Award program, NCL also celebrates community engagement efforts across the nation. For more information, visit www.ncl.org.