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New Rochelle was named one of the finalists for the “Strongest Town in America” competition, which is being hosted by the national nonprofit Strong Towns.
According to officials, the “Strongest Town contest is a month-long, bracket-based competition designed to spotlight communities from around the world that are building enduring financial resilience at the local level and actively embodying the Strong Towns approach to economic growth and development.”
The latest round of competition began on Monday, March 18, when New Rochelle was pitted against Sheboygan, Wisconsin for a spot in the Elite Eight. The winners of the round will be announced on Friday, March 22, and then it will come down to a battle for the Final Four.
In their proposal, city officials in New Rochelle highlighted their “comprehensive, collaborative, community-driven process to engage residents, business owners, and stakeholders in dictating the future of the City’s downtown.”
“The City’s story is not unlike many others in America,” they stated. “The city was settled by French Huguenots as a maritime and trading port community on the Long Island Sound. Over time, the city’s economy became industrial, and a manufacturing base was established downtown, along the waterfront, and near the train station. In the 1980s, the manufacturing centers had declined and moved out, leaving downtown a ghost town. People often said that, at its worst, you could shoot a cannon down the middle of Main Street and not hit anybody.
"Today, the City is booming with a revitalized service-based economy and restaurant scene that draws visitors from all over the region and from New York City."
New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson said, "It’s an honor simply to be selected for the Round of 16, but let’s not stop there. Please vote for New Rochelle, and then spread the word (The voting closes on Thursday, March 21st)."
The complete submission from New Rochelle officials can be found here.
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