Geneva named finalist for All-American City Award

The City of Geneva has been named a finalist for the 2015 All-American City Award, a prestigious award that honors communities developing innovative solutions to pressing problems. “The nomination as a finalist is a testament to the hard work of the entire Geneva community, and of our incredible partnerships with neighborhood associations, private enterprise, the Geneva City School District, and Hobart and William Smith Community Colleges. This is truly “talent capitalization” at work; capturing the imagination and energy of the community and leveraging it with the resources and expertise of the City and our outstanding partners. The entire Geneva community deserves kudos for this recognition”, said City Manager Matt Horn. The award is given by the National Civic League to 10 communities each year, celebrating and recognizing neighborhoods, villages, towns, cities, counties, tribes and metro regions that have engaged residents in innovative, inclusive and effective efforts to tackle critical challenges. “At a time when the challenges facing our communities can seem overwhelming, places like the City of Geneva are a critical reminder of the good work being done all across the country,” said Gloria Rubio-Cortes, President of the National Civic League. “It’s an example of what’s possible when local government, business, nonprofits and residents come together to solve problems. That’s why I am proud to announce that the City of Geneva has been selected as a finalist for the 2015 All-America City Award.” Geneva was the only city in New York to make the finals, and one of two from the entire North East region of the United States. Other finalists included 2015 All-America City Finalist communities are Marana, Arizona; Carson, California; Salinas, California; Stockton, California; North Lauderdale, Florida; Orlando, Florida; Tallahassee, Florida; Quincy, Illinois; Somerville, Massachusetts; Tupelo, Mississippi; Asheboro, North Carolina; Marshall, Texas; Petersburg, Virginia; Spokane, Washington; and Yakima, Washington. The work completed by the Geneva Neighborhood Resource Center and Office of Neighborhood Initiatives for community development and neighborhood revitalization was one primary focus that landed Geneva into the finals. The collaborative efforts of Geneva 2020 and downtown revitalization also highlighted the strengths of Geneva’s innovation, catching the National Civic League’s attention. “I am overjoyed to see the City of Geneva being recognized nationally for the work done by the Geneva Neighborhood Resource Center and all of the active neighborhood associations. The engagement of residents, the leadership of neighborhood association leaders and the support from the City has made the initiative possible, making Geneva an example for all small cities in the United States,” said Director of Neighborhood Initiatives Sage Gerling. In explaining the purpose of the award, Rubio-Cortes offered: “NCL isn’t looking for the most prestigious, prosperous or ‘perfect’ communities – that’s not what it takes to win the All-America City Award. The award celebrates communities of any size, geography, affluence, or influence where residents and leaders roll-up their sleeves, and find creative solutions to challenging problems” A team representing Geneva will join residents; nonprofit, business, and government leaders; and young people and from the other 15 other finalist communities who will convene in Denver from June 12-14. The event gives finalist communities the chance to connect and share insights with other innovative communities and a chance to learn from national leaders in the field of civic engagement and innovation. Each community will then present the story of their work to a jury of nationally recognized civic leaders. Since 1949, the National Civic League (NCL) has recognized and celebrated the best in American civic innovation with the prestigious All-America City Award (AAC). The Award, bestowed yearly on 10 communities (more than 650 in all), recognizes trail-blazing efforts to bring residents, local government, business and nonprofit groups together to tackle the most pressing local issues.