Tuscaloosa, Alabama—Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) recently designated Rainsville and four other communities after they successfully completed the ACE approach to economic and community development for cities with populations between 2,000 and 18,000.
Alexander City, Elba, Fairhope, Rainsville, and Saraland were recognized as the newest members of an elite group of Alabama’s small communities. They have all completed each of the three phases for becoming an Alabama Community of Excellence and join the ranks of 26 of Alabama’s finest small towns as they shine as true centers of excellence.
“We commend the leadership and many stakeholders of the designated communities for their dedication to ensuring long-term economic success for their communities through the Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) process,” said ACE President Lisa Miller.
ACE Partners work with each community to successfully achieve their goals. “The ACE program would not be possible without the financial support and expertise provided by our partners. We thank all of our partners for their support and interest in the development and growth of Alabama’s smaller communities,” said Miller during the announcement at the Alabama League of Municipalities Annual Conference.
ACE Partner organizations include: Alabama Association of RC&D Councils, Alabama Association of Regional Councils, Alabama Department of Commerce, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Alabama Historical Commission, Alabama League of Municipalities, Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, Alabama Power Company, Auburn University Economic & Community Development Institute, Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, Regions Bank, Southeast Alabama Gas District, the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, and the University of West Alabama.
Twenty-six communities have previously been certified as Alabama Communities of Excellence. They are: Arab, Atmore, Brewton, Childersburg, Demopolis, Eufaula, Evergreen, Fayette, Foley, Graysville, Guin, Gulf Shores, Guntersville, Haleyville, Hartselle, Headland, Heflin, Jackson, Jacksonville, Leeds, Livingston, Millbrook, Monroeville, Montevallo, Thomasville, and Valley. The addition of Alexander City, Elba, Fairhope, Rainsville and Saraland brings the total to 31 Alabama communities that have been designated as Alabama Communities of Excellence.
The Class of 2015 was also announced. They include Abbeville, Geneva, Jasper, Oneonta, Red Bay, and Spanish Fort. These cities will begin the process of becoming ACE communities this summer, joining Helena, which continues working through the phases of the ACE program.
About ACE: 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.
Learn more about ACE by visiting Alabama Communities of Excellence
