Country Music’s Vince Gill Joins Frontier Communications, DISH Network and CoBank to Announce Investment in Small-Town Amer...
16 January 2015 - 4:50AM
Business Wire
Communities across the
country are pursuing America’s Best Communities Prize to win up to
$3 million for economic revitalization
Multi GRAMMY® Award Winner Vince Gill took the stage with the
CEOs of Frontier Communications, DISH Network Corp. and CoBank
today at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tenn. to
announce he’s joining the America’s Best Communities partnership to
revitalize small towns and cities across America.
America’s Best Communities $10 million prize competition will
reward communities with the best business plans for economic
development and improved quality of life. The winners will also
share best practices and great ideas for innovative growth among
all the communities that participate in the competition.
In an event celebrating the strength and vitality of rural
America – on a stage where he has often celebrated rural America in
song – Vince Gill spoke from his heart to a crowd holding aloft
rally signs naming their communities, while behind him flashed
photos of small cities and towns that are eagerly participating in
the competition.
“There’s a lot of small town community in me. I have a small
town mentality,” Vince Gill told the crowd, for whom the day marked
a ceremonial kickoff for their efforts. “This is where I live and I
want to make it better, I want to be part of a team focused on
supporting the backbone of America.”
America’s Best Communities has already drawn more than 200
registrations across the 27 states served by Frontier
Communications. Fifty quarter-finalists will be selected in April,
2015 and awarded development funds for their revitalization
proposals. At the end of the competition in 2017, the top three
applicants will share $6 million in prize money – $3 million to the
winner, $2 million for second place and $1 million for third place
– money to be used to continue to implement their improvement
plans.
Maggie Wilderotter, Chairman and CEO of Frontier Communications,
said, “As the largest broadband communications company focused on
rural America, we want to be a catalyst for growth in our towns and
cities. We believe that investments in these locations will have a
multiplier effect as communities embrace opportunities for
revitalization. Whether it is upgrading existing businesses in the
area or new startups, a focus on local businesses will be key to
sustained growth. We also will look for innovative ideas on how
each community will come together to socialize and interact as a
measurement of success.”
Conceived by Frontier Communications and co-sponsored with DISH
Network and CoBank, America’s Best Communities Prize is a
competition that will fund economic development opportunities for
the winners and share best practices and great ideas for progress
among all the communities that enter.
“Our nation depends on a strong rural America,” said CoBank CEO
Robert B. Engel. “Rural communities need continuous investment and
support in order to ensure they remain healthy and can continue to
play a vital role in the broader economy. That’s why we are so
excited to support the ABC campaign. We look forward to seeing the
proposals generated by the ABC competition, and the tangible
benefits it will deliver to all communities who decide to
participate.”
“DISH is a proud co-sponsor of America’s Best Communities
because the initiative supports entrepreneurism, innovation and
creativity – ideals reflective of our roots,” said DISH Network
President and CEO Joseph P. Clayton. “Our expectation is that
America’s Best Communities will help provide the right motivation,
resources and rewards to support those working to make their
communities the best they can be.”
All entrants will win access to each other’s ideas and plans to
use in their own future economic development efforts. The deadline
for entry is March 25, 2015.
About Vince Gill
One of the most popular singers in modern country music, Vince
Gill is famous for his top-notch songwriting, world-class guitar
playing and warm, soaring tenor, all wrapped up in a quick and easy
wit. Since 1990, Gill has won 20 GRAMMY Awards and 18 Country Music
Association Awards. The CMA just honored Gill with its prestigious
Irving Waugh Award of Excellence which is awarded to an individual
who is “the originator and caretaker of demonstrated ideas and
actions that have dramatically broadened and improved country
music's influence.” Gill was also recently presented the BMI Icon
Award. The Academy of Country Music has conferred eight awards on
Gill. Gill is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the
Grand Ole Opry. He is a member of the four-time Grammy-nominated
band The Time Jumpers. Visit www.vincegill.com.
About FRONTIER
COMMUNICATIONS
Frontier Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: FTR) offers
broadband, voice, video, wireless Internet data access, data
security solutions, bundled offerings, specialized bundles for
residential customers, small businesses and home offices and
advanced communications for medium and large businesses in 28
states. Frontier's approximately 17,000 employees are based
entirely in the United States. More information is available at
www.frontier.com.
About DISH
DISH Network Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH), through its subsidiaries,
provides approximately 14.041 million pay-TV subscribers, as of
September 30, 2014, with the highest quality programming and
technology with the most choices at the best value. Subscribers
enjoy a high-definition lineup with more than 200 national HD
channels, the most international channels, and award-winning HD and
DVR technology. DISH Network Corp. is a Fortune 250 company. Visit
www.dish.com.
About CoBank
CoBank is a $102 billion cooperative bank serving vital
industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases,
export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and
rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states.
The bank also provides financial services to affiliated Farm Credit
associations serving farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in
23 states around the country. CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit
System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending
associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S.
agriculture and the nation's rural economy. Visit
www.cobank.com.
Frontier CommunicationsSteve
Crosby916-206-8198916-686-3333steven.crosby@ftr.com
Frontier Communications (NASDAQ:FTR)
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