Fort Smith a finalist in All-American City Award program

Fort Smith is a finalist in the 2009 All-America City Award program sponsored by the National Civic League.

The 32 finalist cities will compete June 17-19 in Tampa for the 10 awards given by the NCL. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the All-American City award program.

“The All-America City Award (AAC) is like a civic ‘Oscar’ for communities of all sizes,” National Civic League President Gloria Rubio-Cortés said in a statement. “It’s unique because it recognizes the efforts of entire communities. AACs demonstrate inclusiveness, collaboration, civic engagement, and innovation.”

According to the NCL, an All-America City has “a proven capacity for community-based problem solving, grassroots civic engagement and cooperation between sectors (public, private and nonprofit).”

Tracy Winchell, who worked with city staff to apply for the award, said application focused on how the community came together to keep the 188th Fighter Wing based in Fort Smith, successfully recruit the U.S. Marshals Museum, and how the community supports the Community Clearinghouse.

“At the direction of City Administrator (Dennis) Kelly, we entered the competition and told three significant stories – all of which highlight the citizens of our city and how they consistently come to the aid of those in need, passionately support our past, believing it is a key to our future, and proudly embrace our military community,” Winchell said in a statement after being notified the city was a finalist.

Winchell said the next step is for the city staff to develop “a game plan” for the June event.

Listed alphabetically by state are the 2009 finalists:
Phoenix
Fort Smith
Inglewood, Calif.
Rancho Cordova, Calif.
Windsor, Colo.
Tampa, Fla.
Bensenville, Ill.
Carbondale, Ill.
Fort Wayne, Ind.
Richmond, Ind.
South Bend, Ind.
Des Moines, Iowa
Windsor Heights, Iowa
Wichita, Kan.
Pocomoke City, Md.
Rockville, Md.
Salisbury, Md.
Somerville, Mass.
Belton, Mo.
Albany, N.Y.
Benson, N.C.
Kinston, N.C.
Clinton, N.C.
Statesville, N.C.
Toledo, Ohio
Wooster, Ohio
Toledo, Ore.
Erie, Pa.
Providence, R.I.
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Rowlett, Texas
Caroline County, Va.