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Since 2001, America in Bloom has encouraged and helped
over 130 communities just like ours, from across the United States, improve the quality of life for residents and visitors.
America In Bloom is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3)
organization dedicated to promoting nationwide beautification programs and both personal and community involvement through
the use of flowers, plants, trees and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements, and to providing educational programs
and resources to that end.
Is American In Bloom
a contest or a community development program?
It’s both! Winning a championship has great rewards, but the benefits from participation in this community development
program are even farther reaching:
· Improved quality of life
· Enjoyable results
· Greater community involvement
· Recognition for volunteer efforts
· Inspired imaginations
· Beautified spaces
· Educational opportunities
· Shared ideas
· New friendships
Participating America in Bloom towns have experienced
positive changes in their communities. The kinds of improvements and their intensity may vary, but often include:
•
increased levels of civic pride and community involvement
• cooperation among residents,
organizations, businesses and the municipality
• everyone working toward
a common goal: a better place to live, work, play, and visit
• visible results
• valuable information and
feedback from judges
• increased property values
• increased economic development and a positive impact
on the retail industry
• increased tourism and a positive impact on hospitality industry
• decreased vandalism
•
information and cultural exchanges with neighboring, national, and international communities
How Does America In Bloom Work?
Participation in America in Bloom is fun and rewarding. Here's how it works.
Our
Community:
• registers to participate in America in Bloom (AIB)
•
pays a registration fee according to population size
• receives information and guidance from AIB
• welcomes
qualified AIB judges when they visit Michigan City to evaluate our efforts
• sends representatives to a National
Educational Symposium and Awards Ceremony
• receives recognition for
our efforts
• is declared an America in Bloom Champion if it receives the highest score in our population category
•
receives a detailed report evaluating efforts, including recommendations for future activities
Please join us and be part of the American In Bloom project in Michigan City and have an impact on
community development!
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The City of Michigan City will make a formal application to participate in the America In Bloom project in February 2008.
A preliminary meeting was held September 7th at City Hall, attended by the Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan City Mainstreet
Association, the LaPorte County Convention & Tourism Board, the Historical Review Board, the Michigan City Parks &
Recreation Department, and the Michigan City Senior Center.
"Our intent," said John Pugh, City Planner and lead on the America In Bloom project, "is to invite churches, schools,
neighborhood organizations, and all businesses and residents of the community to join us in this grassroots effort to beautify
Michigan City. We hope this community-wide effort has a positive effect on community spirit."
The program, in which America in Bloom Judges evaluate communities on eight criteria (Floral Displays, Environmental
Awareness, Landscaped Areas, Tidiness,
Urban Forestry, Heritage Preservation, Turf and Groundcovers, and Community Involvement)
grants awards to communities. The America in Bloom Contest is complete with rules that can engage everyone in the community,
teams of qualified judges, media attention, the challenge of competition and the anticipation of winning a prestigeous award
at the Annual AIB Awards and Symposium. Imagine the impact on our community if Michigan City were to be named the most beautiful
in the nation!
Mayor Chuck Oberlie said, "The City wants to help make something happen...but the details of this project
will be left to the volunteers who join in to Plant Pride In Our Community."
Individuals, groups, organizations, and businesses which want to participate in this unique program that will draw national
attention to our community should download the Registration Brochure, complete and return it. (If you cannot download the
brochure, please send email to info@mcmainstreet.com or call 219-363-1407 for more information on joining this effort.)
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America In Bloom Registration Form
What You Can Do In Your Neighborhood
Best Practices for communities of our size
What Is Our Goal?
America In Bloom is not about hiring landscapers...anyone can do that!
America In Bloom is about
US. It’s intended to encourage a community to illustrate its personality,
its hopes and dreams, its future and its past through the beauty of nature.
Our goal is to enhance
the natural beauty of Michigan City through plantings of trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers. The addition of unique
works of art will make us even more distinctive!
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