In 2013, the city of Rainsville was one of only a handful of cities selected for the Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) program.

The Alabama Communities of Excellence program uses a comprehensive, three-phase approach to assist participating communities in planning and preparing for the future. Throughout each of these phases, ACE partners from the private sector, government agencies and universities work with each community to successfully achieve its goals.

Created in 2002 as a 501 (c)3 non-profit corporation organized for the purpose of utilizing the collective expertise of its partner organizations, ACE provides participants with a “one stop shopping” type of experience—community development programs and tools needed to insure long term success found through one organization.

In phase one of the program, a team of professionals along with members of our community collaborated to assess the Crossroads of Sand Mountain. We determined our community's assets, our strengths and weaknesses, and areas that need improvement. The ACE team produced a report card outlining some suggestions and steps for our city to take in order to stimulate growth, sustain that growth, and make our community an even better environment to live, work, and raise a family.

Thursday we will build on that assessment and start laying the groundwork for a stronger, more vibrant Rainsville. This phase will be the planning portion of the program. Don't miss out on the opportunity to be a part of guiding our city into the future. Thursday will be the beginning of a planning process for Rainsville that will have an impact on what our city looks like in 5, 10, 20 years and beyond.

- Mayor Nick Jones

The meeting is set for Thursday, February 5th, at the Broadway Baptist Church fellowship hall starting at 4:00 PM. The meeting is open to the public. Food and refreshments will be served.

To learn more about ACE, visit alabamacommunitiesofexcellence.org