Statesville, Hickory, Gastonia and Charlotte have all obtained the All-America City Award in recent years. And now, Mayor Chris Montgomery is making a push for Mooresville to become the next regional town to win the national recognition.
Montgomery will officially present his hopes to thrust Mooresville into the running for the All-America City Award at Friday morning’s town board agenda briefing.
Founded in 1949, the All-America City award program has honored more than 500 municipalities across the nation for their achievements in areas such as “innovation, inclusiveness, civic engagement and cross sector collaboration by describing successful efforts to address pressing local challenges,” according to the National Civic League who awards the recognitions.
As the 2011 bidding gets underway, Montgomery said he would like to see Mooresville follow in the footsteps of several other nearby communities that have become recipients.
“I have constantly pondered how I can make a difference since taking office,” Montgomery said Tuesday. “I am not satisfied just being a figurehead. I want to roll up my sleeves, with the townspeople, and proclaim my love for Mooresville. This honor is a way to do so.”
Soon after moving into the role of mayor, Montgomery said he wanted to “spearhead a project or projects that would give back to the community.” Knowing that several other area towns and cities already achieved the title of All-America City – a designation awarded to ten municipalities each year – Montgomery said he knew Mooresville would be up for the challenge.
“What other town has what Mooresville has to offer?” he added, mentioning the strides the town has made since the textile industry depleted. With the addition of Lowe’s corporate headquarters and the major notice Race City USA has received due to NASCAR’s presence, Montgomery said Mooresville has a great deal to offer. Attributes, he said, include organizations like the Mooresville Christian Mission, the Mooresville Soup Kitchen, the Winnie Hooper Center and the new Habitat for Humanity ReStore that aid area residents.
“All of these blessings will help spawn bigger and better ideas,” he said.
Montgomery said he would also like to achieve a goal that Mooresville nearly reached decades ago. In 1960, the town was a finalist for the All-America City Award.
“That gives me the inspiration to finish the job this time. Only this time we will be ready.”
Although Montgomery has yet to officially present his plan to town commissioners, Ward 3 Commissioner Mac Herring has already expressed his support.
Often seeing signs in other towns touting their achievements as an All-America City, Herring said he’s always believed Mooresville should throw its hat into the ring. “We are as deserving if not more so than other cities that have the signs,” he said. “And I thought that long before I became part of the elected body of Mooresville.”
Specifically noting the town’s diversity and excellent school systems, Herring said Mooresville is a great place that deserves “some bragging rights.”
“We haven’t had some of the problems that other communities have had. We’ve been very good at, over the decades, having very little racial tension or other harsh points of contention in the community. We’ve always been a community that works well together,” he said, also mentioning the various programs throughout town run by outside agencies that benefit citizens.
Herring said the All-America City Award would “help other folks realize what an asset Mooresville is to the region.” Additionally, this recognition would help in a variety of other ways, including boosting economic development and real estate.
“I think Mooresville has lots of jewels in our crown.”
One thing that concerns Herring, and will likely raise questions for other town commissioners, is the price tag connected with the award process, which entails three projects directed toward “overcoming challenges” the town has faced. Though the initial application requires only $100, Mooresville would face between $15,000 and $20,000 in costs associated with becoming a finalist.
Montgomery said Tuesday that town dollars – aside from the $100 fee – will not be used in the All-America City bid. Instead, he plans to reach out to local businesses for the cost.
“I don’t want to use town funds for that at all,” he added. “I’ve sold advertising my whole life, so I have no problem going to a merchant.”
Herring agreed that forming partnerships with local business leaders will be the best route toward raising the necessary funding.
“Other communities spent a lot of money as a municipal government toward becoming an All-America City,” he said. “That is not what we want to do.
“If we can do this with a public-private partnership to bring this to fruition that would be the best of both worlds. This needs to be a collaborative.”
However, before Mooresville can officially put in a bid for consideration, town commissioners will have to approve the proposal that Montgomery plans to present Friday.
“I expect cost will come up in Friday's agenda briefing,” the mayor said, mentioning he’s already poised and ready to discuss his hopes for business contributions.
Montgomery also anticipates questions about “how other municipalities have fared during the process.” Thus far, Montgomery said mayors from Charlotte, Concord and Statesville have all noted that the All-America City Award is a worthwhile experience. He hopes Mooresville can achieve the same prestige attached to the designation as those neighboring communities have.
For more information on the All-America City Award, visit www.allamericacityaward.com
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