Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It's an honor to represent the Chisago Lakes area, a national semi-finalist for America's Best Community (ABC). The ABC Competition was created in 2014 and is sponsored by Frontier Communications, Dish Network, The Weather Channel and Co-Bank. You may remember that earlier this year that the Chisago Lakes community, represented by the towns of Chisago City, Lindstrom, Center City, Shafer, Taylors Falls and the surrounding countryside, made it into the semi-finals of the competition.
Along with the honor of being a semi-finalist, they were given $50,000 to help with the next level of competition and are now competing against 15 other communities in Durham, NC this week to make it into the top eight. More than 350 communities nationwide entered the competition in when it began. The grand prize winner will receive $3 million.
I am so proud of the work that our incredible Chisago Lakes area team has accomplished in the ABC Competition. More than 100 community leaders have been participating in this initiative from all sectors including business, health care, government and education, as well retirees and even school kids. They have all come together to improve the Chisago Lakes community with a forward looking plan that will help create a new and vibrant future for us all.
I also want to thank Governor Dayton who, with a last minute notice, agreed to participate in a short video to promote the wonderful work our community is doing for the ABC Competition. About 10 or so joined me at the Governor’s mansion last week to help with the video and tell him thank you.
I wish the team best of luck as they head into the competition's next phase! People in our community are excited about the progress you're making and how dedicated our community has been since the competition began in 2014. Win or lose, I know that we will accomplish our long-term goals. For me, and for all of us who call this place home, Chisago County is already America’s best place to live.
Sincerely,
Bob