The City of Battle Creek is proud to be a finalist for the All-America City Award – for the second year in a row.
The 20 finalists represent the diversity of American communities, from the largest cities to the smallest towns, across the country. Finalist communities include the fourth largest city in America – Houston, Texas – and a city of only 3,500 people – Gothenburg, Neb.
“Congratulations to the entire Battle Creek community!” said Brenda L. Hunt, President and CEO of the Battle Creek Community Foundation. “This is a recognition of the great work we do here, and is a proud moment for our community.”
All finalists have the common bond of working to create healthy communities through inclusive civic engagement.
For Battle Creek’s application, city staff worked with BC Vision, the community-driven movement for change. This team compiled an application discussing the good work happening in Battle Creek surrounding three projects –
- Operation Fit, which has the goal of decreasing childhood obesity in Calhoun County;
- the Crisis Intervention Team and Recover Center, in which Summit Pointe and the Battle Creek Police Department train for and address mental health and substance abuse issues; and
- the School Behavioral Health Collaborative, addressing the emotional and social well-being of students attending public schools in Battle Creek.
The 20 finalist communities will compete this June in Denver, Colo., to be recognized as one of 10 All-America Cities for 2019. Each community will bring a team of neighbors, nonprofit leaders, business representatives, government officials, and young people to participate in presentations and workshops.
The 2019 award spotlight is on celebrating examples of civic engagement practices that advance health equity in local communities. This includes community projects that demonstrate decision-making that creates healthy communities for all people, and particularly for populations experiencing poorer health outcomes.
The finalists are: Ontario, Calif.; Rancho Cordova, Calif.; West Hollywood, Calif.; Doral, Fla.; Hallandale Beach, Fla.; Dubuque, Iowa; Wichita, Kan.; Battle Creek, Mich.; Gothenburg, Neb.; Livingston County, N.Y.; Clinton, N.C.; Cornelious, Ore.; Rock Hill, S.C.; Edinburg, Texas; El Paso, Texas; Houston, Texas; Mission, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; Millcreek, Utah; Pasco, Wash.
In recent years, two other Michigan cities have received the All-America City Award – Port Huron in 2005, and Marquette County in 2003.