NEWS RELEASE

June 14, 2004

MONTEVIDEO NAMED AN ALL-AMERICA CITY

            The National Civic League has announced that Montevideo has been named an All-America City at the 2004 National Awards Ceremony on June 12, 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia.  Montevideo was one of 30 finalists in the competition, which is the nation’s longest running and most prestigious civic recognition program.

            For a community to be named an All-America City, it must be able to demonstrate successful resolution of community issues through collaborative effort.  Award winning criteria include the following:  active citizen involvement, effective and efficient government performance, maximized local philanthropic and volunteer resources, a strong capacity for cooperation and consensus building, community vision and pride, intergroup relations, community information sharing, and intercommunity cooperation.

            The other 2004 All-America City Award winners for 2004 are: 

                                    Stockton, California

                                    Pembroke Pines, Florida

                                    Evansville, Indiana

                                    Concord, North Carolina

                                    Springfield, Ohio

                                    Cottage Grove, Oregon

                                    Hidalgo, Texas

Spokane, Washington

                                    Phillipi, West Virginia

            The All-America City Award encourages and recognizes civic excellence, honoring the communities in which citizens, government, business, and non-profit organizations demonstrate successful resolution of critical community issues.

            George H. Gallup, one of the award’s founders, described the program as “...a Nobel Prize for constructive citizenship.”  As such, communities that have won the All-America City Award have realized numerous benefits, including national recognition and enhanced community pride.  Many All-America City Award winners also have realized significant economic impacts, including new grants, improved bond ratings, increased tourism, and greater economic activity.

            “These communities serve as models for the rest of the country,” said Christopher T. Gates, President of the National Civic League.  “They are tackling challenges that seem insurmountable and are producing positive and tangible results with ingenuity and collaboration.

            “Montevideo won this award because we have outstanding citizens, businesses, and organizations who are working together to do extraordinary things,” said Montevideo Mayor Jim Curtiss.

            For additional information on Montevideo’s application and award, please contact City Manager Steve Jones at (320) 269-6575, Economic Development Director Scott Marquardt at (320) 269-6575, or Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lori Evenstad (320) 269-5527.