America’s
Best Communities $10 million prize competition will reward communities
with the best business plans for economic development and improved
quality of life. The winners will also share best practices and great
ideas for innovative growth among all the communities that participate
in the competition.
In
an event celebrating the strength and vitality of rural America – on a
stage where he has often celebrated rural America in song – Vince
Gill spoke from his heart to a crowd holding aloft rally signs naming
their communities and others registered for the competition, while
behind him flashed photos of small cities and towns that are eagerly
participating in the competition.
“There’s
a lot of small town community in me. I have a small town
mentality,” Vince Gill told the crowd, for whom the day marked a
ceremonial kickoff for their efforts. “This is where I live and I want
to make it better, I want to be part of a team focused on supporting the
backbone of America.”
Vince,
a native of Norman, Okla., spoke of his roots and the importance of
lending a hand to people, and not a hand out. The ABC competition can do
that, he said, and shine a light on the importance of rural America for
us all.
America’s
Best Communities has already drawn more than 200 participating
communities across the 27 states served by Frontier Communications.
Fifty quarter-finalists will be selected in April, 2015 and
awarded $50,000 in development funds for their revitalization proposals.
At the end of the competition in April 2017, the top three applicants
will share $6 million in prize money – $3 million to the winner, $2
million for second place and $1 million for third place – money to be
used to continue to implement their improvement plans.
Maggie
Wilderotter, Chairman and CEO of Frontier Communications, said, “As the
largest broadband communications company focused on rural America, we
want to be a catalyst for growth in our towns and cities. We believe
that investments in these locations will have a multiplier effect as
communities embrace opportunities for revitalization. Whether it is
upgrading existing businesses in the area or new startups, a focus on
local businesses will be critical to sustained growth. We also will look
for innovative ideas on how each community will come together to
socialize and interact as a measurement of success.”
America
sends billions overseas in foreign aid, she noted, but we need to think
domestically in helping rural small towns and cities.
Conceived
by Frontier Communications and co-sponsored with DISH Network and
CoBank, America’s Best Communities Prize is a competition that will fund
economic development opportunities for the winners and share best
practices and great ideas for progress among all the communities that
enter.
“Our
nation depends on a strong rural America,” said CoBank CEO Robert B.
Engel. “Rural communities need continuous investment and support in
order to ensure they remain healthy and can continue to play a vital
role in the broader economy. That’s why we are so excited to support
the ABCcampaign. We look forward to seeing the proposals generated by
the ABC competition, and the tangible benefits it will deliver to all
communities who decide to participate.”
Rural
America is important not just to our own country, but to the world,
especially for the world’s food supply, and CoBank is there to help, Mr.
Engelsaid.
“DISH
is a proud co-sponsor of America’s Best Communities because the
initiative supports entrepreneurism, innovation and creativity – ideals
reflective of our roots,” said DISH Network President and CEO Joseph P.
Clayton. “Our expectation is that America’s Best Communities will help
provide the right motivation, resources and rewards to support those
working to make their communities the best they can be.”
Innovate new ideas come from rural America, Mr. Clayton said.
All
entrants will win access to each other’s ideas and plans to use in
their own future economic development efforts. The deadline for entry
is March 25, 2015.
About Vince Gill
One
of the most popular singers in modern country music, Vince Gill is
famous for his top-notch songwriting, world-class guitar playing and
warm, soaring tenor, all wrapped up in a quick and easy wit. Since 1990,
Gill has won 20 GRAMMY Awards and 18 Country Music Association Awards.
The CMA just honored Gill with its prestigious Irving Waugh Award of
Excellence which is awarded to an individual who is “the originator and
caretaker of demonstrated ideas and actions that have dramatically
broadened and improved country music’s influence.” Gill was also
recently presented the BMI Icon Award. The Academy of Country Music has
conferred eight awards on Gill. Gill is a member of the Country Music
Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry. He is a member of the four-time
Grammy-nominated band The Time Jumpers.
