All American City
Gentleman Jim
Dear Billy,
The City of Hickory is an All-America City! Hickory was named an
All-America City in 1967 and 1987 and its time for our community to try
for it again! Hickory was one of the finalists in 1999, and had an
impressive application, but at that time other communities across the
nation faced larger problems than us. Since the 1999 application, our
community has been faced with many new challenges and the community has
pulled together to solve problems to rebuild our community and economy.
We invite your organization to attend an informational meeting on
Thursday, January 18 at 7 p.m. at the Highland Recreation Center in the
Community Room. During this meeting city staff will give you an
overview of the All-America City program, discuss the projects Hickory
used in the past, and invite organizations to share success stories
that should be part of the All-America City application. The
application process includes focusing on three success stories in which
government, schools, non-profit organizations and/or businesses worked
together to solve a problem. One of the stories should include a
success story that focuses on youth. The application is due in early
March. The top 30 finalists will be notified in April and the finalist
cities compete for the award in early June in Anaheim, Ca.
The National Civic League (NCL) sponsors the AAC program, which
recognizes exemplary grassroots community problem solving. The award
is given to communities who cooperatively tackle their challenges and
achieve results. The Award celebrates vibrant, resourceful communities
where neighbors pitch in together; communities with a diverse
collection of talents and people who do not dwell on the problems of
the past, but focus instead on the opportunities of the present and
possibilities for the future. For 58 years, the All-America City Award
has encouraged and recognized civic excellence, honoring communities of
all sizes in which community members, government, businesses and
non-profit organizations work together to address their critical local
issues. Since 1949, more than 4,000 communities have applied and about
500 have been selected as All-America City winners.
Being named an All-America City brings many benefits to a community
including national recognition and helps build the economic base.
Hickory saw this happen after receiving the award in 1967 and 1987.
According to the NCL, the award can bring new businesses and jobs, new
residents, increase in tourism, increase in grants, enhanced tax base
and a higher bond rating.
We look forward to seeing you and if you have any questions before the
January 18 meeting, please call Public Information Officer Mandy Pitts
at 828-261-2222 or email her at mpi...@ci.hickory.nc.us .
Sincerely,
Mayor Rudy Wright
Michael McNally
Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Catawba County Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1828
Hickory, NC 28603
Phone: 828-328-6000 ext. 238
Fax: 828-328-1175
mmcn...@catawbachamber.org