Danville is among 20 U.S. cities named today by the National Civic League as a finalist for the 2024 All-America City Award.
The National Civic League each year recognizes communities that demonstrate innovative, inclusive and effective efforts to tackle critical challenges. This year’s finalists focused specifically on strengthening local democracy by building the capacity of residents to actively participate in civic life and have a meaningful say in decisions.
“We are proud and honored to be named a finalist,” Mayor Alonzo Jones said. “Our city is undergoing a remarkable transformation. We are committed to creating a city where all citizens can find opportunity and a good quality of life. This award process allows us to demonstrate the merits of our work to the nation.”
City Manager Ken Larking added, “I am proud of the way multiple departments and Danville Public Schools have worked to more thoroughly engage the public in the services we provide. We are now a growing city, and it is important that we have a complete understanding of what the public wants to see in the future in their community and in their neighborhoods, so that we can make Danville the kind of place everyone is proud to call home.”
This year’s competition is the first entry submitted by the City of Danville since it was selected as an All-America City in 2020. Danville was also named an All-America City in 1977.
In this year’s entry, the City of Danville highlighted its efforts to develop a new comprehensive plan — PLANDanville — using a process unlike any employed in the past. The process included a series of community events, workshops conducted in a storefront space secured for PLANDanville, and direct outreach into neighborhoods by a team of six community ambassadors — local individuals who had the trust and respect of other community members. In addition, PLANDanville made a sincere, sustained effort to engage schoolchildren in the planning effort, encouraging them to develop a sense of pride and ownership in their city and its future.
The All-America City application also highlighted the Police Department’s nearly 40 community engagement programs, the Parks and Recreation Department’s “Heart The Park” campaign, and the Danville School Board’s engagement of youths by adding four student representatives to the board.
The 20 finalist communities will compete June 7-9 in Denver, Colo., for the award, which is given to 10 communities each year. Each community will bring a team of representatives to present the story of their work to a jury of nationally recognized civic leaders. The event will culminate with the closing ceremony where this year’s winners will be announced.
The other finalists this year are:
- Boulder, CO
- Edinburg, TX
- Henderson, KY
- High Point, NC
- Jacksonville, NC
- La Marque, TX
- Lakewood, CO
- Lexington, KY
- Monroe County, IN
- Monrovia, CA
- New Orleans, LA
- Newport News, VA
- Oakland, CA
- Punta Gorda, FL
- Roanoke, VA
- Saginaw, TX
- Seattle, WA
- Watkinsville, GA
- Wilton Manors, FL
For more info on the National Civic League, visit https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/