All-America City? YES!

Rancho Cordova named 2009 All-America City Award Finalist

The City of Rancho Cordova is among 32 cities from across the country named finalists in the prestigious All-America City Awards competition sponsored by the National Civic League. This is the 60th year for the competition, which will culminate in June 17-19 in Tampa, Florida.

The honor is given to 10 winners each year for outstanding civic accomplishments. This year’s finalists have created jobs, revitalized their downtowns, and reduced crime, among other accomplishments. “The All-America City Award (AAC) is like a civic ‘Oscar’ for communities of all sizes,” said National Civic League President Gloria Rubio-Cortés. “It’s unique because it recognizes the efforts of entire communities. AACs demonstrate inclusiveness, collaboration, civic engagement and innovation.”

Who are the finalists? Community-builders

An All-America City has a proven capacity for community-based problem solving, grassroots civic engagement and cooperation between sectors (public, private and nonprofit). To become a finalist, each participant completed an application documenting three community projects that address local challenges such as job creation/economic development, environmental sustainability, neighborhood revitalization and disaster recovery.

“This year is the 60th Anniversary of the All-America City Awards. We are inviting all former winners (more than 500 of them) to come to the event in Tampa to be recognized, and to share their lessons learned and community stories with their peers,” said Rubio-Cortés.

How will winners be picked?

During the three-day competition, a delegation from each community will present its challenges and solutions to a jury of national experts from across the United States. At least one community project must focus on the needs of young people. A Rancho Cordova planning team, lead by Rancho Cordova Chief of Police Rueben Meeks, has been formed and is meeting regularly to craft the Rancho Cordova delegation’s presentation.

The Rancho Cordova application focuses on three programs of the Rancho Cordova Police Department which have been undertaken since formation of the city five years ago. They include the unique “shared command” between the Rancho Cordova Police Department and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department; efforts to relieve traffic problems in the city; and the establishment of the Police Activities League (PAL) which seeks to provide positive alternatives for local youth.

In upcoming weeks, local groups will be holding fund-raising events to pay for the delegation to travel to Tampa for the competition. The delegation will include Rancho Cordova residents and city officials that reflect the cultural diversity and demographics of the community, Meeks said.

What else happens in Tampa?

The 2009 awards program will feature Innovation Forums to promote peer-to-peer dialogues among the finalist communities and regional and national leaders.

Topical dialogues and panel discussions on “green” solutions, immigrant integration, race relations and economic recovery strategies will be featured, along with a planning session for future AAC alumni activities.

The All-America City Award is an honor achieved by more than 500 neighborhoods, villages, towns, cities, counties, and regions across the country. Some have won the award multiple times.

This year’s AAC Awards are sponsored in part by Prudential, MWH Global, Inc., Mile High United Way, Jones Day, Southern California Edison, Southwest Airlines (The Official Airline of the AAC Awards), Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina (The Sole Official Headquarters Hotel of the AAC Awards) and Marriott International.

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