St. Joseph Wins the “Race for the Cup” Community Excellence Award
The City of St. Joseph won the Community Excellence “Race for the Cup” Award, a top statewide honor during the Michigan Municipal League’s 109th annual convention, Thursday, September 21 in Grand Traverse County. The 535 municipal officials in attendance voted for one of seven regional winners and St. Joseph won top honors with an annual community arts project that attracts out-of-town visitors and increases downtown traffic to the extent some business owners actually expanded.
MML Executive Director Daniel P. Gilmartin stated, “For communities to be successful in the 21st Century, they must be distinctive. The St. Joseph city commission not only understands this, but has moved forward to create a one-of-a-kind art project. Efforts like St. Joseph’s are vital to business success in this state.”
Mayor Mary Goff declared, “The City Commission, staff, St. Joseph Today, Perry Ballard, Inc., and our merchants are very proud of this win. A special thank you to the talented artists in our community. We could not have received this award without them. To win such a prestigious statewide competition when over 500 of your peers have voted, is something to be valued and we are humbled. We are very blessed to live in such a great community where everyone works so hard to make St. Joseph the best place to live, work, and play!”