FORT WAYNE HOPING FOR THIRD TIME CHARM AS ALL-AMERICA CITY

Should City Win a Third Time, We Will Be Part of the "Hall of Fame"

Fort Wayne, Ind . ' Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry proudly announced Fort Wayne's inclusion among the thirty finalists for the 2009 All-America City Award bestowed by the National Civic League.

“We know our community has been honored twice in the past with this prestigious designation,” said Mayor Henry. “We are very pleased with being in this elite group of finalists and I have confidence our projects and presentation will carry us through to the winners' circle.”

A group of city staff and community representatives has been meeting for several months to identify three grassroots projects that address local challenges. Winning communities will have proven success in community-based problem-solving, grassroots engagement and public/private/nonprofit collaboration. At least one of the projects highlighted by each community must focus on the needs of young people. Fort Wayne's selected projects were presented in its application under the theme “All Together Now,” a nod to the inclusive and collaborative nature of each of the projects.

Ten of the thirty finalists will be named an All-America City. When a City has been named an All-America City three times, it is referred to as being in the "Hall of Fame" to showcase its outstanding civic accomplishment.

A delegation of thirty community representatives will travel to Tampa, Florida for the competition June 17-19. The committee is accepting financial underwriting to help defray the costs of the delegation. Companies or individuals wishing to make a tax-free donation to the effort may do so by sending a check to the City of Fort Wayne and noting “All-America City” in the check memo. More information is available at the City's website, www.cityoffortwayne.org