The National Civic League (NCL) has announced the finalists for the 2014 All-America City Awards, the country's most prestigious award for outstanding, community-based civic accomplishments.   Eau Claire is one of 25 communities invited to participate in the awards event this June, and is the only community selected in Wisconsin this year.

Benefits of becoming an All-America City include:

• Economic Stimulus: All-America City finalists and winners receive national attention, a boost for recruitment of industry, jobs and investments. The All-America City status has helped winners attract new and retain businesses that mean jobs and a stronger tax base. Winners have also seen an increase in tourism and grants.
• Increased Civic Engagement: The All-America City Award has transformed participants and their communities. From the application to the competition, this program promotes hope and energizes people with a can-do spirit. All-America Cities are national models, inspiring others who face similar critical challenges.

 Beginning last September, a group of eight members of the current Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Eau Claire^TM class worked with Chamber of Commerce and City of Eau Claire staff, along with many community partners, to develop and submit the application last month. The Leadership Eau Claire^TM program combines leadership skill building with community education, and participants get a bird’s-eye view of the issues facing the community and are exposed to involvement opportunities in the community. Leadership Eau Claire^TM participants are required to participate throughout the year with a community non-profit organization to complete a service project--one of the teams this year chose to complete the application process for the All-America City award.  The Leadership Eau Claire^TM        participants are

Dennison Brower, United Healthcare/Medicare & Retirement
Heather Costley, Mayo Clinic Health System
Matt Hill, Boy Scouts of America, Chippewa Valley Council
Julie McFadden, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Taylor Schaa, Faith Partners for Literacy—Diocese of Eau Claire
Rob Sorensen, Bauman Associates, Ltd.
Kelly Taylor, Dairy Queen
Tyler Tomesh, Citizens Community Federal

 “The City is excited to be selected as one of the 25 finalists for the 2014 All-America City Award,” said Russell Van Gompel, City Manager.  “I would like to thank the group from Leadership Eau Claire and City staff members for taking on this project, completing the application process, and helping to recognize Eau Claire as a healthy, vibrant and productive community of exceptional natural beauty.”

 This year's awards have a special focus on successful efforts to address the underlying conditions that affect the health of communities. As part of NCL's celebration of the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Healthy Communities movement, the All-America City Award spotlights programs that address issues such as obesity, walkable cities, biking, fitness, healthy eating and disease prevention.  The communities vying for All-America City status filled out applications listing three examples of successful community change and describing their capacities for civic engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness and innovation.

 The finalists will present to a jury of civic experts who select the annual award winners. The 2014 All-America Cities will be announced June 15 at an awards celebration. For more information contact Russell Van Gompel with the City of Eau Claire at 715-839-4902, Bob McCoy with the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce at 715-834-1204, Mike McGrath at the National Civic League at 303-571-4343; mikem@ncl.org, or visit the All-America City Blog at www.allamericacityaward.com or the NCL web site at www.ncl.org.