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Alabama Communities of Excellence: Empowering Growth and Prosperity for Small Towns

Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting smaller towns in Alabama with populations between 2,000 and 12,000. By leveraging partnerships with entities such as Auburn University, Regions Bank, and the USDA, ACE provides comprehensive support in community development. The ACE process consists of three phases: Assessment, Leadership and Planning, and Implementation, enabling communities to enhance leadership, strategic planning, and overall quality of life. Successful communities receive funding and certification, promoting continued development and prosperity.

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Alabama Communities of Excellence: Empowering Growth and Prosperity for Small Towns

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  1. Alabama Communities of ExcellenceHelping Smaller Communities Plan, Grow and ProsperArturo S. MenefeeSERA-19 Health Meeting August 3-4, 2006 Memphis, Tennessee

  2. What is ACE? Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) is a non-profit corporation for the purpose of utilizing the collective expertise of its partners to assist Alabama's smaller towns* *Communities with populations between 2,000 and 12,000

  3. What is ACE? A unique and powerful partnership with the • expertise • public and private resources • commitment . . . to help address many community development needs

  4. ACE Partners • Auburn University, Truman Pierce Institute • BellSouth • Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama • Regions Bank • Tennessee Valley Authority • United States Department of Agriculture -- Rural Development • University of Alabama, Center for Economic Development • Alabama Association of Regional Councils • Alabama Cooperative Extension System • Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries • Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs • Alabama Development Office • Alabama Electric Cooperative • Alabama Gas Corporation • Alabama Historical Commission • Alabama Municipal Electric Authority • Alabama Power Company

  5. ACE Structure Board↓Paying Members Associates↓Technical Assistance Community Team↓Local Team

  6. ACE Helps Communities Focus On: • Leadership development • Strategic planning • Comprehensive planning • Commercial business development • Education enhancement • Infrastructure requirements • Health and human services • Tourism • Economic development • Recreation issues • Civic engagement • Community beautification • Quality of life

  7. Competitive Application Process • The ACE application process opens once a year (late Fall), and selections are made in the Spring. • Cities that meet the population requirements will receive an invitation to submit an application. (120 – cities in AL)

  8. Competitive Application Process ACE candidates are selected based on: • information in the application • the community’s capacity to proceed • the community’s commitment

  9. Three Phases of the ACE Process The ACE process involves three Phases which are conducted in sequence

  10. Phase I - Assessment • Introduces the Team Members and Community Representatives • Familiarizes each with the community’s strengths and needs • Lays the foundation for Phases II and III

  11. STRATEGY LEADERSHIP Phase II – Leadership and Planning Assures that the 2 most fundamental community development building blocks are established and comply with ACE standards

  12. Phase III - Implementation Assures that the Community Representatives: • Initiate a comprehensive land-use plan • Know how to access resources to achieve their goals • Demonstrate commitment to moving forward • Have the capacity to move forward

  13. Length of the ACE Process The time it takes a given community to move through the three ACE Phases varies… A community that already has an active leadership program and a current strategic plan might move through the phases in as little as a year, while one in need of more assistance might require up to 3 years (18 Months – Avg. Time)

  14. ACE Certification Alabama Community of Excellence When the community completes the three phases and achieves sufficient success, it will be declared an:

  15. ACE Re-Certification • Every ACE Certified Community must be re-certified every three years . . . based on progress in implementing its plans and towards maintaining ACE Standards

  16. Eight Initial ACE Candidates • Brewton • Demopolis • Guin • Guntersville • Haleyville • Monroeville • Wetumpka* • Valley * has since withdrawn

  17. Six New Candidates in 2005 • Atmore • Fayette • Gulf Shores • Heflin • Millbrook • Thomasville

  18. Three New Candidates in 2006 • Headland • Jackson • Jacksonville

  19. Four Communities Certified in 2005 • Demopolis • Guin • Haleyville • Monroeville

  20. Three Communities Certified in 2006 • Brewton • Guntersville • Valley

  21. Each of these ACE graduates received: • $5,000 grant to be used for a priority economic/community development project specified in strategic plan created during ACE three-phase process • Framed certificate signed by Governor Riley and ACE President • “Alabama Community of Excellence” sign to be posted at city gateway

  22. Contact Information 1-866-557-0007 www.alabamacommunitiesofexcellence.org

  23. Alabama Communities of ExcellenceArturo S. MenefeeAlabama Cooperative Extension System334-844-2307menefas@auburn.edu

  24. Any Questions????????? Thank You!!!

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