Could your community use an extra $10,000? How about an extra $5,000 or $1,000?
Has your town or city benefited from a project that was spearheaded by an elected official?
If one of your town leaders fits this description, you will want to nominate that local government official for the American Hometown Leadership Award. The American Hometown Leadership Award Program will recognize local government officials for displaying the highest standards of dedication, ability, creativity and leadership in their public service.
Examples of such commendable achievement include local government cost-cutting, coordination of a major volunteer effort, creation or retention of jobs, effectiveness in advancing local government's goals in the state or federal legislature, establishing new local services or programs, or success in implementing local development efforts.
Priority will be given to local projects using local efforts.
The contest is sponsored by the National Center for Small Communities (NCSC) and is supported by the Wal-Mart Foundation.
The program will recognize up to 450 outstanding elected officials who currently serve a local government in a community of 25,000 or fewer population. Local officials will receive economic development grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
The first-place winner will receive a $10,000 grant and will be honored at a special ceremony during America's Town Meeting, the educational and legislative conference of the National Center for Small Communities and the National Association of Towns and Townships to be held Sept. 35 in Washington.
Four of the top winners of the 1996 contest will be highlighted in the upcoming Wal-Mart store circular, which is available in Wal-Mart stores throughout May.
To receive an official entry form, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: National Center for Small Communities, 444 N. Capitol St., N.W., Suite 294, Washington, DC 20001. All entries must be received by June 15. No applications from past winners or repeat communities will be accepted.
(For additional information contact Kristine Jackson, NCSC, at 202/624-3551.)