Michigan Municipal League: The Review Magazine Jan-Feb 2023 Edition

PAST WINNERS

2022 – Cassopolis 2021 – Rochester Hills 2020 – Canceled Due to COVID-19 2019 – Bay City 2018 – Fraser

The Community Excellence Awards (CEAs) are an annual statewide competition, recognizing outstanding community services, projects, and programs. The variety of submissions have included transportation, environmental, public art, events, city/village marketing and promotions, retrofitting/ rehabilitating buildings, and even a method of informing residents about council goals. They are inspiring examples of what Michigan communities can accomplish through dynamic leadership, creative vision, and collaborative effort. The CEAs have the power to stimulate ideas among members. When the City of Vassar presented its Chill on the Hill sledding event at the League’s 2011 Convention, another city loved it and put on a similar event in its downtown. Public art—especially sculpture projects—have engendered a lot of interest and replication. Over the years we have seen projects that fill people with good feelings and respect for what municipalities can accomplish. Since municipalities rarely brag, entering the CEAs is a way to talk about your projects to those who understand what went into the planning and execution—your municipal peers. Excellence Award COMMUNITY 2023 Community Excellence Awards Timeline • 03/15/23 Start submitting projects • 05/13/23 Deadline for submissions • 06/17/23 Four finalists announced • 10/19/23 MML Convention, Traverse City

2017 – Hudsonville 2016 – Beaverton 2015 – Westland 2014 – Harbor Beach

2013 – Ironwood 2012 – Grandville 2011 – Clare

2010 – Grand Haven 2009 – Lathrup Village 2008 – Jackson 2007 – St. Joseph

Changes to the Program In autumn 2021, we redesigned the CEAs to align with our Community Wealth Building initiative. We also instituted some changes that will simplify the entry process. The MML team conducted research and analysis on previous CEAs, similar programs, and former CEA participants. We utilized both an internal and external steering committee, and final changes to the application process were implemented in March 2022 and announced at MML’s Capital Conference. Changes include: • Shifting from placemaking to Community Wealth • Changing the judging. A small panel will individually score each project then come together as a group to choose the final four; • Offering more tech help and webinars. (e.g., taking photos, PowerPoints, marketing); and • Simplifying submission criteria. Members will only be required to submit a 150-word description (photos and PowerPoints are optional). We hope these changes will make the CEAs evergreen, inclusive, and forward thinking. Building as suggested submission topics; • Eliminating the online “fan favorite” vote;

24 THE REVIEW

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2023