Gastonia Named All-America City
7/20/2010 3:44:55 PM
Gastonia, a NC Public Power community, was recently chosen as a 2010 All-America City.
The winners were announced during the 61st annual celebration of the award at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo., on June 18. A delegation of more than 40 Gastonians made the trip to represent their city.
“All-America Cities are models of civic excellence, with strong community-based initiatives and broad community support,” said T. Graham Edwards, CEO of ElectriCities. “It is no surprise to me that Gastonia was honored. Public power communities are strong, vibrant communities in which to live and work, and we are thrilled Gastonia was recognized for its outstanding achievements.”
Mayor Jennie Stultz guided the city’s application and selection process with the assistance of a devoted cadre of citizens and city staffers. Mayor Stultz is also the Vice Chair of the ElectriCities Board of Directors.
"The All-America City experience celebrates all that is right in our communities when we tell the stories of how grassroots energy works to solve critical challenges,” said Gastonia Mayor Jennie Stultz, who was part of the city’s delegation. “We were inspired by other finalist cities and developed new friendships. The All America City experience is a true example of civic CPR."
The All-America City program is sponsored by the National Civic League to recognize neighborhoods, villages, towns, cities and metro regions for outstanding civic accomplishments. To win, communities must demonstrate their ability to address serious challenges with innovative, grassroots strategies that promote civic engagement and cooperation between the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Finalists selected from the application process must prepare an in-depth presentation to a panel of judges. The all-America City award is the oldest community recognition program in the nation. Since its inception in 1949, more than 4,000 communities have competed and over 500 have been named winners.
For its presentation, Gastonia showcased three community projects resulting in significant local impact during the past few years: Homeward Bound in Highland, Run for the Money and Climbing to Success.
Homeward Bound in Highland
In 2006, the City partnered with neighborhood residents, community organizations, and the private sector. Using city-owned land and $4,300,000 from non-profit and commercial lenders, they developed Gateway Village Senior Housing. Completed in June 2009, the 40 apartments were fully occupied that August. Hope4Gaston is also concerned about homeowners. In 2008, this home-grown, faith-based group gathered contractors, tradespersons, and others from their churches to repair homes in Highland, at no charge. The City of Gastonia provided a $27,000 grant for materials. Homeowners gave permission to make repairs and at two events, 2,000 volunteers repaired floors, built roofs, fixed walls, and installed new appliances. After two 10-hour days, repairs valued at $348,000 were made to 50 homes.
Run for the Money
Since 2003, the Run for the Money event has become a mainstay of the nonprofit community in Gastonia and Gaston County. It started as the Community Foundation of Gaston County’s 25th anniversary celebration at a time when Gaston nonprofits were struggling. Staff members at the Community Foundation promoted the idea of a fun run/walk to help local nonprofits through a new, signature event called Run for the Money. Agencies could not only gain charitable gifts, but the Foundation would also offer a $250,000 match. This year, 123 organizations signed up to participate in the eighth Run on April 17. All told, the Run has raised $7,891,836 for Gaston County nonprofits in its seven years, including $1,925,000 in Foundation matching funds.
Climbing to Success
The Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council builds strong relationships among four city high schools through Project Tassel, which encourages students to stay in school and graduate. Gaston Career Climb is a program designed to elevate the workforce to compete in a global economy and set the community apart in the Charlotte region. When two great ideas merge that address one of Gastonia’s most critical needs, they create a perfect recipe for economic vitality for climbing to success.
