Communities of Excellence

2023 NACo Achievement Award Winner

Midland County, Mich., MI

Image of AchAwards_text.png

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

The Communities of Excellence (COE) program in Midland County, MI, is a community-based program aimed at promoting and achieving excellence in all areas of community life. The program is designed to bring together businesses, non-profits, and government agencies to work collaboratively towards common goals, using the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program's framework for organizational excellence. The program aims to promote a culture of continuous improvement, data-driven decision-making, and community engagement to create a culture of excellence in Midland County. It provides participating organizations with training, resources, and support to help them achieve their goals and become recognized as models of excellence. The program also hosts an annual recognition event to celebrate the achievements of participating organizations and highlight best practices for others to follow. With the help of Zencity the county is analyzing resident feedback gathered throughout the program to inform decisions moving forward. The ultimate goal of the Communities of Excellence program is to promote excellence in all aspects of community life, including education, health, economic development, and social services, among others. By working collaboratively towards this common goal, the program aims to create a more vibrant, prosperous, and sustainable community in Midland County, MI.