Economic revitalization competition attracts
entries representing 347 communities
Sponsored by Frontier Communications, DISH
Network, CoBank and The Weather Channel, America’s Best Communities
competition is investing $10 million in small towns and
cities
In small towns and cities across the country, community leaders,
business owners and local government officials have come together
to complete applications to enter the America’s Best Communities
competition, a $10 million initiative to stimulate local economic
revitalization. The competition’s sponsors, Frontier
Communications, DISH Network, CoBank and The Weather Channel today
announced that 138 applicant teams — representing 347 communities —
have submitted applications that outline their shared vision for a
stronger economic future and improved quality of life.
America’s Best Communities aims to jumpstart development
and investment in small cities and rural towns across Frontier’s
27-state footprint. After launching Sept. 10, the competition
encouraged communities to dream big and submit their best ideas to
accelerate the revival of their local economies and foster
sustained growth.
Frontier, DISH, CoBank and The Weather Channel will announce the
50 communities selected as quarterfinalists on Wednesday, April 29.
Each community will be awarded $35,000 to help finance the
development of a comprehensive Community Revitalization Plan. The
community best able to envision and implement their community
revitalization plan will be awarded $3 million.
All 138 applications are being reviewed by a panel of
independent expert judges who will select the 50 winning
communities based upon an objective set of criteria. Applicant
proposals range from downtown revitalization programs to start-up
business incubators to streetscape improvements.
“With America’s Best Communities, we’ve given small cities and
rural towns an opportunity to enhance their quality of life and
improve their economic future. We are thrilled that approximately
350 communities are seeking to win the competition,” said Maggie
Wilderotter, Executive Chairman of Frontier Communications.
“The partnerships and strategies fostered by this competition will
help transform communities from coast to coast and support our
nation’s economic recovery. Their innovation can create new city
business models. ”
“One of our nation’s greatest assets is the grit and
determination distinctive to the people of rural America,” said
Vince Gill, the country music great who has served as an
ambassador for the competition. “They’ve got everything it takes to
build a brighter future for themselves and their families, and the
America’s Best Communities competition offers the additional
financial support these communities need to deliver on their
dreams.”
“The competition will spur investment from many other sources
and have a multiplier effect. In addition, we will share the top
planning ideas with all participants, which can serve as roadmaps
for growth for all rural communities across the United States,”
Wilderotter added.
America’s Best Communities, a multi-stage, three-year
competition, will provide $4 million in seed money and other
support to assist communities as they develop their
revitalization plans. The top three communities will receive a
total of $6 million in prize money.
The 50 quarterfinalist communities will have six months to
refine, sharpen and submit their comprehensive plans to be
considered for additional investment. All 50 quarterfinalists will
have a large sponsor company that will help them improve and
implement their plans. In early 2016, 15 semifinalists will then be
selected to attend the America’s Best Communities summit to
present their strategies. Eight finalists will then be awarded
$100,000 to continue implementation of their plans.
In April 2017, America’s Best Communities will name its
three competition winners — those with the most innovative
proposals being effectively implemented. The winning community will
be awarded $3 million, with $2 million for second place and $1
million for third.
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 17,400 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 13.978 million pay-TV subscribers, as of
Dec. 31, 2014, with the highest-quality programming and technology
with the most choices at the best value. Subscribers enjoy a high
definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the
most international channels, and award-winning HD and DVR
technology. DISH Network Corporation is a Fortune 250 company.
Visit www.dish.com.
About CoBank
CoBank is a $107 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.
About The Weather
Channel
Through The Weather Channel (weather.com) and Weather
Underground (wunderground.com) brands, The Weather Company provides
millions of people every day with the world's best weather
forecasts, content and data, connecting with them through
television, online, mobile and tablet screens, as well as
third-party publishing partners via API. Through WSI, the company
delivers superior professional weather services for the media,
aviation and energy sectors. For more information, visit
www.theweathercompany.com.
Frontier CommunicationsSteve
Crosby916-686-3333916-206-8198steven.crosby@ftr.com
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