North Tidewater News

Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones expressed his excitement as the city was named a finalist for the prestigious All-America City Award. He stated, “I am thrilled that Newport News was named a finalist for the prestigious All-America City Award. The transformative and inclusive projects in Newport News perfectly reflect the 2024 theme of Strengthening Democracy through Local Action and Innovation."

President of the National Civic League, Doug Linkhart, emphasized the importance of strengthening democracy at a local level, stating, “We can and must strengthen our democracy so that it is resilient in the face of challenges and better serves all Americans."

Mayor Jones further highlighted the hard work and dedication of the Newport News community, saying, “Being named an All-America City isn’t a stretch for Newport News; it is a recognition our community has earned through our dedicated work, perseverance, creativity, and collaboration."

The All-America City Award finalists were selected based on criteria such as shared vision, civic engagement, inclusiveness and equity, collaboration, innovation, and impact. The finalists, representing 11 states, vary in size from 3,000 residents to over 700,000, but all share a commitment to empowering residents to actively participate in civic life.

The 75th annual All-America City Award Event and Competition is set to take place from June 7-9. Finalist teams will present their community-driven efforts to a jury of civic leaders, with 10 cities being named All-America Cities. Newport News will be among the 20 finalists vying for this prestigious recognition.

Residents and partners are encouraged to follow the official city Facebook and Instagram accounts to celebrate this milestone and stay engaged in the process as Newport News competes for the All-America City honor.