1. Alabama Community Leadership Network (ACLN) Forum
October 12, 2017
“Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) Overview”
Hello. I am Sidney Hoover.
Thank you to Artie Menefee and Nisa Miranda for this opportunity to talk with you for a few minutes about the ACE Program.
I am just going to give you a quick overview of our community development work.

2. CORE VALUES
Active involvement by community stakeholders across a broad demographic spectrum
Development of local leaders and leadership capacity
Emphasis on the importance of developing and implementing short and long-term plans to further the realization of a town’s vision
WHAT WE DO:
Provide technical assistance to select communities in order to strengthen their long-term economic success
Why ACE was Created: Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) was created for the purpose of utilizing the collective expertise of its partners to assist Alabama’s smaller towns and communities
Who is ACE: ACE partners and associates encompass the private sector, government agencies, utilities, and universities – all working together to deliver community and economic development platforms and tools necessary for long-term economic success
What is ACE: ACE is comprehensive 3-phase community development program that provides a one-stop shopping experience where towns can access all the tools and resources needed to plan, grow and prosper
ACE Core Values: Read the bullet points

3. Definition of an ACE Community
Overview of ACE Community Definition Topics
Leadership
Community Leadership and Engagement
Leadership Development
Planning
Vision and Strategic Planning
Comprehensive Planning
Economic Development
Strategy
Infrastructure
Organizational Structure
Information and Marketing
Existing Business Program
Commercial/Retail Business Development and Tourism
Quality of Life
Amenities and Aesthetics
Education/Work Force/School System
Healthcare
Public Safety/Emergency Services
Definition of an ACE Community
Communities in the ACE program strive to meet these ideals spanning a range of topics
So What is an ACE Community?
The Alabama Communities of Excellence program provides a “Definition of an ACE Community”
This definition is an aspirational goal that communities can strive to achieve
Covers a broad range of topics including:
Leadership
Planning – both Strategic and Comprehensive
Economic Development
And Quality of Life
Quality of Life topic not only covers all the amenities and aesthetics, such as culture and historic preservation, but also
Education / work force / school system
Healthcare and access to healthcare
Public safety, emergency services
Detailed presentation of the Definition of an ACE Community is shown on the website

4. ACE Program is a comprehensive three-phase approach:
Phase I: Assessment
Phase II: Leadership Development & Strategic Planning
Phase III: Implementation & Comprehensive Planning
ACE is an economic and community development initiative that targets communities with populations ranging from 2,000 to 18,000
I have mentioned that ACE is a comprehensive 3-phase program
These are the three phases Read phases listed above:
Through our partners and associates we are able to provide our ACE communities with the technical expertise and assistance that will help them move through these 3 phases and achieve long-term economic success

5. Value of Being an ACE Community
Value to ACE Communities
Skills – Knowledge – Confidence
Know how to access resources to achieve their goals
Broad based community vision
Working from a specific implementation plan
Demonstrated commitment to planning and growth
Committed and knowledgeable leadership base
Have the capacity to move forward
Value of Being an ACE Community
The Alabama Community of Excellence designation showcases that your town has completed a comprehensive three- phase program that helps communities insure long-term success
In summary – here is the value to communities of the ACE program
Gain Skills, Knowledge and Confidence
read the bullet points

6. ACE Communities- 35 cities across 27 counties have been designated as ACE Communities  ACE Participant Communities- 9 towns spanning 11 counties are currently working to become designated as ACE Communities
2019 Class- 4-6 new communities will be selected for ACE program using a competitive application process
Here is a map showing the ACE Communities
If you can’t read this slide – you should have received a promotional card about ACE with your registration – the map is also shown on that card.
Note the geographic dispersion and diversity of the towns across the state
44 communities across 31 counties
35 designated communities --- have completed the process to achieve designation as Alabama Communities of Excellence
9 other communities still working on designation

7. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?
Executive Director
If you are interested in learning more about the ACE program, I would love to talk to you or other community leaders about it. My contact information is shown here and it is on the information card you received with your registration materials.
The website also has a lot of information about the program and showcases our ACE communities
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?
Thank you for letting me talk with you about the ACE Program.

8. WHO WE ARE: ACE PARTNERS AND BOARD
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Alabama Department of Commerce
Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
Alabama Historical Commission
Alabama League of Municipalities
Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
Alabama Municipal Electric Authority
Alabama Small Business Development Network
Alabama Power Company
Auburn University Government & Economic Development Institute
Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood
Regions Bank
Southeast Alabama Gas District
United States Department of Agriculture- Rural Development
University of Alabama Center for Economic Development
University of West Alabama
WHO WE ARE:
Partners working together to provide Alabama communities with the community development program and tools needed to ensure their long-term success
Now that you have heard a little about the ACE Program, may be wondering who we are
Partners encompass the private sector, government agencies, utilities and universities working together to
Read the slide – who we are
Here is a list of out ACE partners –
Each of these 19 partner organizations
Is an experienced community and/or economic development service provider
has a representative serving on the ACE Board, helping to guide organization

9. Technical Assistance Available WHAT WE DO:
Planning
Grants/Financial
Historic Site Inventory/Registration
Health Care
Work Force
Economic Development
Leadership Development
Design
WHAT WE DO:
Offer access to a broad range of technical expertise and assistance
Offer a broad range of technical assistance
read the list of services available
But how is technical assistance made available to an ACE Community?
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