Support city honor

Jackson Citizen Patriot
June 6, 2001
Provided by Burrelle's Information Services

CLARK LAKE - According to the 2000 Census, Michigan comprises 368 cities, give or take a burgh or two. Only one Michigan city is a finalist in the 2001 All-America City Award sponsored by the National Civic League.

That city is being recognized for addressing specific challenges to the community as a whole, and for projects that tangibly improve the lives of children and youth. Citing as a challenge the attracting and retaining of business and providing employment, that city responded by creating a one-stop center for economic development and business needs. This initiative has been so successful that the state's economic-development officials have literally done an about-face in their assessment of the city's prospects. After shunning the community for its lack of coordination and focus, the state now touts the city for its advances in identifying and promoting brownfield redevelopment, Renaissance Zone investment and aggressively pursuing economic-development prospects.

Additional projects. like the Nonprofit Support Center and America's Promise to Youth, have been equally successful in demonstrating the involvement of the community's citizens at all levels, and the fine art of collaboration as evidenced in so many ways.

That city is Jackson. We should all take immense pride in the recognition of being named a finalist in the 2001 competition, and should all make an effort to support the presentation to be named an All-America City. We should take even more pride in all of the projects, groups and coalitions that are the lifeblood of this community.

Get involved! Call the Chamber of Commerce (782-8221) to offer your support for its June 21-23 presentation, even if just to say "Congratulations!"

Veronica L. Weaver

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