SENATE RESOLUTION 103

(By Senators Plymale and Woelfel)

[Introduced May 15, 2017]

Recognizing the City of Huntington for being named the grand prize winner in the America’s Best Communities competition.

Whereas, Launched in September 2014 to inspire revitalization and growth in small towns and rural communities across the country, America’s Best Communities challenged local leaders to bring their neighbors together to envision a stronger future and build a strategy to improve lives and livelihoods; and

Whereas, About 350 communities entered and advanced in the competition based on the effectiveness of the revitalization plans developed, fine-tuned and implemented over the course of three years; and

Whereas, Huntington’s revitalization plan, known as the Huntington Innovation Project (HIP), will transform neighborhoods and blighted spaces where the old manufacturing and coal-sector economy has declined into hip hubs for advanced making, innovative manufacturing and healthy community improvements, all connected by high-speed broadband. Huntington will spark this revitalization through key initiatives in its three most distressed neighborhoods: The West End, Fairfield and Highlawn; and

Whereas, After an exhaustive three-year process, the City of Huntington, West Virginia, was named the grand prize winner in the America’s Best Communities competition and was awarded $3 million in cash to implement the Huntington Innovation Project; and

Whereas, The City of Huntington has demonstrated a strong desire and will to revitalize its community for the betterment of its citizens and is shining example to the people of West Virginia of what can be accomplished with dedication, innovation and spirit; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby recognizes the City of Huntington for being named the grand prize winner in the America’s Best Communities competition; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate extends its sincere congratulations to the City of Huntington and its people for this outstanding accomplishment; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate extends its best wishes to the City of Huntington as it implements the Huntington Innovation Project; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Mayor of the City of Huntington, Steve Williams.