Local leaders will gather together Wednesday in communities throughout the country to learn if their city has advanced into the semifinals of the America’s Best Communities competition. Events are planned in Charleston and Huntington, West Virginia.
Sponsored by Frontier Communications, DISH Network, CoBank and The Weather Channel, America’s Best Communities is a $10 million competition to revitalize small towns and rural communities across the U.S. More than 350 communities nationwide entered the competition, and 50 were selected as quarterfinalists in April 2015. Each of the 50 was awarded $50,000 in seed money to develop a Community Revitalization Plan to boost the local economy and enhance quality of life.
From this class of 50 quarterfinalist communities, only 15 communities — those with the most innovative plans being effectively executed — will be selected for the semifinal round of the contest, and local Frontier officials will announce Wednesday if their communities have made the cut. The communities that do advance will have the opportunity to continue their journey toward becoming “America’s Best Community” and winning the competition’s top prize, a $3 million economic revitalization grant.
Events in Charleston and Huntington:
WHAT:
- Local Frontier Communications officials will announce if their city is among the 15 communities nationwide to advance into the semifinals of the America’s Best Communities competition.
WHO:
- Tammy Shingleton, Frontier Communications General Manager in Charleston and Huntington
- Local elected officials, area business leaders, community leaders and residents
WHEN/WHERE:
- CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA:
- 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 13
- Four Points by Sheraton, Kanawha Room
600 Kanawha Blvd E., Charleston, WV 25301
- HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA:
- 2 p.m., Wednesday, January 13
- Pullman Plaza Hotel, Cam Henderson Room
1001 3rd Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701
About America’s Best Communities
America’s Best Communities is a multi-stage, three-year competition, launched in September 2014, that is providing $4 million in seed money and other support to assist communities as they develop new economic revitalization strategies. The top three communities — those with the most innovative proposals being effectively implemented — will share a total of $6 million in grand prize money. The winning community will be awarded $3 million, with $2 million for second place and $1 million for third. To learn more, visit americasbestcommunities.com.
