Fayetteville wins All-America City Award. What to know.

Myron B. Pitts, The Fayetteville Observer
·3 min read
The City of Fayetteville was named an All America City by the National Civic League. The city has won three times previously.
The City of Fayetteville was named an All America City by the National Civic League. The city has won three times previously.

Fayetteville has been chosen for a 2023 All-America City Award by the National Civic League.

The city was among 10 winners announced at the 74th Annual All-America City Award event in Denver over the weekend.

“Being designated an All-America City is evidence Fayetteville continues to be a great collaborative, solution orientated and forward moving community,” Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin said in a statement. “We are being recognized as one of the premier local communities across the country who engage our youth as we continue to make Fayetteville a desirable place to live, work, and recreate, not only today but well into the future.”

The city also won in 2011, 2001 and 1985.

Here is what to know.

What is the All-America City Award?

The National Civic League, a nonprofit founded in 1894, says on its website its mission is “to advance civic engagement to create equitable, thriving communities.” The All-America City Award was founded in 1949 and seeks to award the best in American civic innovation.

“The Award, bestowed yearly on 10 communities (more than 500 in all), recognizes the work of communities in using inclusive civic engagement to address critical issues and create stronger connections among residents, businesses and nonprofit and government leaders.”

Two other North Carolina communities, Charlotte and Davie County, won for 2023. The other winners were Dallas, Texas; Gonzales, California; Hampton, Virginia; Mesa, Arizona; Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; and San Antonio, Texas.

What did the Civic League like about Fayetteville?

The league wrote on its page about Fayetteville that the city is “experiencing unprecedented growth and transformation” and noted its diversity.

“Like most communities, in recent years, Fayetteville has wrestled with issues around public health, growth, social justice, racial equity, and the relationship between law enforcement and residents,” the league wrote.

It said the city has responded through the “power of conversation and collaboration,” citing specifically the effort to repurpose the controversial Market House, where enslaved people were sold.

The 2023 award emphasized engagement with young people, and the league praised Fayetteville for the Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council (FCYC) and the Fayetteville NEXT Commission, both of which it said have a positive impact on the community.

The league also praised programs geared toward educating, mentoring and empowering youth. These include the Community Emergency Response Team Academy where high schoolers learn about public safety operations as well as bullying and gang awareness.

What does this mean for the city?

The award is bragging rights, mainly. But it will doubtlessly figure into the city’s marketing plans. Fayetteville is among just 24 communities that have won All-America City more than three times.

The National Civic League says finalists and winners have seen a boost in tourism and grants and “find it easier to attract and retain businesses that generate jobs and a stronger tax base.”

The national recognition of the award raises the profile of successful local efforts, the league says.

“We hear regularly about communities that still celebrate and take pride in winning even after 40 years or more,” the website states.

Myron Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville wins All-America City. Work with youth cited.