All-America City

In June 2009, Albany captured the title of All-America City, awarded by the National Civic League. The League considers the award the equivalent of a “civic Oscar.” The City of Albany was one of more than 300 cities that submitted a detailed application.

Albany based its application on a variety of youth initiatives, economic development and neighborhood programs. It was among 30 finalists who then had to make a presentation and be interviewed by a national panel. Ten of those cities were ultimately selected to receive the All-America City designation.

The award is the oldest community recognition program in the nation and recognizes communities whose citizens’ work together to identify and tackle community-wide challenges and achieve uncommon results. Albany previously received the All-America City designation in 1991 and is the first city in New York state to earn the honor in the past five years.