Millbrook designated as an Alabama Community of Excellence

June 1, 2007

Six Alabama communities were recently designated as “Alabama Communities of Excellence” after successfully completing the Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) program, a comprehensive three-phase approach to economic and community development for cities with populations between 2,000 and 12,000.

The graduation ceremony took place Monday, April 23^rd during the Alabama League of Municipalities Annual Convention held in Huntsville.  During the ceremony, the Cities of Atmore, Fayette, Gulf Shores, Heflin, Millbrook and Thomasville were recognized as Alabama Communities of Excellence and presented with a $5,000 grant from ACE to be used in funding a priority economic and community development project. These checks were presented by Nisa Miranda, ACE President and Perry Roquemore, Executive Director of Alabama League of Municipalities.

“Communities with eligible populations must complete and submit an application in order to be considered for the ACE program,” said Nisa Miranda, president of ACE. “The two main criteria used in selecting ACE participants are 1) the level of local commitment to the ACE program, and 2) the community’s capacity to support the ACE program.”

“We are so proud of these three communities for successfully completing all three phases of the ACE program,” said Miranda. “Their dedication to community development should be commended.”

In addition to the grant, each community will also receive, during a local presentation, an “Alabama Community of Excellence” sign to be posted at the city’s gateway and a framed certificate signed by the Governor and the President of ACE.

During the graduation ceremony, Miranda explained ACE’s three-phase approach.

“Phase I is known as the assessment phase. During this time, a comprehensive report card detailing community assets and weaknesses is prepared and presented to the community along with recommended strategy and actions,” Miranda said.

“During Phase II, the Leadership Development and Strategic Planning component, each community must establish a leadership development program, prepare an up-to-date strategic plan, and identify a local ACE coordinator,” said Miranda.

Serving as local ACE coordinators were:  Celia Lambert, Atmore; Larry Pinkerton, Fayette; Lisa Kennedy, Gulf Shores; Terri Daulton, Heflin; Carol Thompson, Millbrook; and Debra Fox, Thomasville.

According to Miranda, “Phase III is the Implementation and Comprehensive Planning segment. Issues addressed during Phase III include comprehensive planning, commercial business development, education enhancement, infrastructure, health and human services, retiree attraction, tourism, economic development, and quality of life.”

To maintain the Alabama Community of Excellence designation, a community must be recertified every three years. The 2007 ACE graduates will be eligible for recertification in 2010.

 “Throughout each of these phases, ACE Partners work with each community to successfully achieve their goals,” Miranda stated. “The ACE program would not be possible without the funding, hard work and participation of the ACE Partner organizations.”

ACE Partner organizations include: Alabama Association of Regional Councils, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), Alabama Development Office (ADO), Alabama Electric Cooperative, Alagasco, Alabama Historical Commission, Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, Alabama Power Company, Auburn University Economic & Community Development Institute, Tennessee Valley Authority, the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, and USDA- Rural Development..

Seven communities have previously been certified as Alabama Communities of Excellence: Brewton (2006), Demopolis (2005), Guin (2005), Guntersville (2006), Haleyville (2005), Monroeville (2005), and Valley (2006).

Three other communities are currently working through Phase II of the ACE program: Headland, Jackson, and Jacksonville.