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Application Process and
Selection Criteria Overview

• An application will be distributed to mayors of all eligible municipalities in Alabama (cities between 2,000 and 12,000 in population).

• The application form will consist of several open-ended questions designed to determine a community’s commitment and capacity to support ACE (see “ACE Community Application Form”).  The application will also require letters of support from local leaders (local governing body, chamber of commerce, and other community organizations).

• Criteria for selection are: 1) local commitment to ACE, and 2) community capacity to support the ACE program.  The application form will request information about community planning, organization for community and economic development, leadership development, education, infrastructure, health care, and quality of life.

• An ACE Selection Committee will review the applications and select communities as candidates for participation.  These candidate communities will be submitted to the ACE Board of Directors for approval into the program.

• The ACE Board of Directors will review candidate communities and approve/disapprove as participants in ACE.  Communities not selected will be notified and receive appropriate feedback on their application. 

• Selection decisions will be guided by the criteria of commitment and capacity, but will entail some subjectivity.  Consideration will be given to issues such as serving diverse populations and ensuring regional balance.

The number of communities selected for ACE participation is adjusted
yearly based on available resources.

Areas Covered on Community Application
and Information Form

• Contact Information of Mayor

• Contact Information of person completing application

• Population according to latest Census

• Current population

• Details of community’s strategic plan (ie – active document developed by community to create shared vision, define priorities and establish objectives), if applicable

• Details of community’s comprehensive plan (ie- active document with long range goals and objectives for all activities that affect growth and development in the community; serves as a guide for decisions on public and private developmental proposals and for the budgeting of public money), if applicable

• Local zoning ordinance information

• Local housing standards and building code information

• Infrastructure development plans or policies (such as plans or policies related to public utility improvements; road, bridge, water, sewer, telecommunication, or other infrastructure projects)

• Industrial park information

• Information on available buildings (public or private) for new industry

• Industrial development activity (industry recruitment, assisting existing industry, other)

• Information on community’s Industrial Development Board

• Information on any incentives or assistance provided by community for commercial/retail businesses     

• Details on local Chamber of Commerce 

• Description of any existing economic or community development partnerships that community is involved with

• List of partners community is working with (other local governments, boards of education, industrial development boards, regional development organizations, state agencies, etc.)

• List and description   of major businesses, industries and employers in community

• List and description of primary banking/financial institutions in community

• List and description of any currently active/on-going leadership development programs in community

• Copy of the State Department of Education’s most recent report card for the public schools in community

• Description of any special programs or services available at the schools in community (example: local education foundations to assist schools, extended day care programs for  latchkey children, jobs for Alabama graduates, business or industry partnerships with schools, etc.) 

• List and description of active retiree attraction programs in community (ie – programs geared towards attracting retired persons to live in community)

• Description of the public and private sector services currently available in community for senior citizens (example: Medicaid waiver programs, senior centers, employment programs, etc.

• List and description of major health care services available in community (medical clinics, hospitals, emergency medical services)

• List of  strengths of community

• List of weaknesses of/threats to community

• List and description of cooperative planning projects or activities with other local governments in area (county government or other municipalities)

• Resolutions of interest/support for the ACE program from local governing body, Chamber of Commerce, major businesses

• Letters of support/interest from local partnering organizations (such as boards of education, major businesses/industries, leadership programs, important community organizations, etc.)

• Additional materials that provide useful information about community

• Brief essay on why community should be selected to participate in ACE program