STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Across the country, 50 communities have advanced to the quarterfinalist
round of the America’s Best Communities competition, a $10 million
initiative to stimulate economic revitalization in small towns and
cities. Each community will be awarded $50,000 to further develop and
implement their comprehensive strategies to accelerate their local
economies and improve quality of life.
Vince Gill, the Competition’s Spokesperson, joined Frontier
Communications, DISH, CoBank and The Weather Channel — the Competition’s
sponsors — today and announced the communities that have advanced into
the quarterfinals. The selection was made by an independent group of
expert judges from a pool of over 135 community applicants. The 50
quarterfinalist communities have six months to shape and refine their
revitalization plans and compete for the grand prizes totaling $5
million. For a complete list of the 50 quarterfinalist communities,
please click here.
In the months ahead, the communities will partner with a major
corporation that will provide guidance and support throughout the next
stage of the competition. The America’s Best Communities
Adopt-a-Community Program has brought together 50 distinguished
companies from across the U.S. to support this prize competition. Each
will serve as a strategic mentor, while also contributing $15,000 of the
$50,000 in prize money. These corporate partners will forge
relationships with local leaders and focus their efforts on successful
implementation of the innovative business plans. For the full list of
corporate sponsors, please click here.
“As the largest telecommunications company focused on rural America, we
recognized the need for and the economic impact of new, strategic
investments on the revitalization of small towns and communities across
rural America,” Frontier Communications Executive Chairman Maggie
Wilderottersaid. “We launched America’s Best Communities to inspire
innovation and foster sustainable local growth, while driving increased
investment in America’s rural communities. We congratulate the 50
winning communities that have proven they have what it takes to be
America’s best.”
“DISH’s connection to America’s small towns has been deep throughout our
entire history, and their success helps drive our success,” said DISH
Chairman and CEO Charlie Ergen. “Just as our business thrives on
innovation and creative thinking, the same holds true for the health of
a rural economy. We look forward to seeing the communities’ strategic
thinking take root.”
“We are firmly committed to growing rural America at CoBank, and the
America’s Best Communities competition will provide rural towns and
cities with a much-needed injection of capital to invigorate local
economies,” CoBank CEO Bob Engelsaid. “Congratulations to all of
the communities that will leverage this financial support to drive
economic recovery.”
“At The Weather Channel, we have witnessed first-hand the resilience and
tenacity of America’s small towns and rural communities while covering
their preparation and recovery from life-changing weather events,” said David
Kenny, Chairman and CEO of The Weather Company. “We’re proud to be a
part of this innovative partnership, and we look forward to covering the
50 communities that now embark on the next chapter of their revival
story.”
The 50 quarterfinalist communities have six months to complete their
comprehensive Community Revitalization Plans and compete for additional
investment. In early 2016, 15 semifinalists will be selected to attend
the America’s Best Communities summit to present their strategies
and eight finalists will be awarded another $100,000 to continue
implementation of their plans.
In April 2017, America’s Best Communities will name its three
competition winners — those communities best able to dream big and
deliver on those dreams. The winning community will be awarded $3
million, with $2 million for second place and $1 million for third.
For additional information on the competition, please visit www.americasbestcommunities.com.
About FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS
Frontier Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:FTR) offers broadband,
voice, video, wireless Internet data access, data security solutions,
bundled offerings, specialized bundles for residential customers, small
businesses and home offices and advanced communications for medium and
large businesses in 28 states. Frontier's approximately 17,400 employees
are based entirely in the United States. More information is available
at www.frontier.com.
About DISH
DISH Network Corp. (NASDAQ:DISH), through its subsidiaries, provides
approximately 13.978 million pay-TV subscribers, as of Dec. 31, 2014,
with the highest-quality programming and technology with the most
choices at the best value. Subscribers enjoy a high definition line-up
with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international
channels, and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network
Corporation is a Fortune 250 company. Visit www.dish.com.
About CoBank
CoBank is a $107 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries
across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing
and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water
and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides
financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving
farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the
country. CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide
network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support
the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture and the nation's rural economy.
Visit www.cobank.com.
About The Weather Channel
Through The Weather Channel (weather.com) and Weather Underground
(wunderground.com) brands, The Weather Company provides millions of
people every day with the world's best weather forecasts, content and
data, connecting with them through television, online, mobile and tablet
screens, as well as third-party publishing partners via API. Through
WSI, the company delivers superior professional weather services for the
media, aviation and energy sectors. For more information, visit www.theweathercompany.com.
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Frontier Communications
Steve Crosby, 916-686-3333
916-206-8198
steven.crosby@ftr.com
Source: Frontier Communications Corporation