Dunn, Garner and Thomasville were named yesterday among the top 10 All-America cities for 2013.
The municipalities competed in Denver against 18 other finalists to win the contest, which is sponsored by the National Civic League. The All-America program is often called the “Nobel Prize” of civic accomplishment and recognizes municipalities for resident engagement, collaboration, innovation and inclusiveness.
“This award validates all of the great work that citizens, nonprofit groups, the faith community and local businesses are doing in Garner,” Mayor Ronnie Williams said in a statement. “I’ve always known that Garner is an All-America city, but it’s thrilling to get the official designation.”
Garner officials focused their entry on the citizen-led effort to build the Garner Veterans Memorial, creation of the Community of Hope after-school program, food pantry and effort to boost the performing arts. Officials also highlighted the grass-roots effort to stop closure of the county’s library branch in town and avoid inclusion in the Triangle Expressway “red route.”
The seven other winners include Birmingham, Ala., Montrose, Colo., Dubuque, Iowa, Norfolk, Va.; Owensboro, Ky.; Peoria, Ill.; and Downey, Calif.
Durham was named an All-America city in 1982-83, and Raleigh won the distinction in 1974-75.
