The Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation has asked the Michigan Municipal League to inform our members about the American Government Awards Program and how entries from Michigan communities are now being sought.

The timeline is tight - the deadline is March 1 - but your community has a chance to get a $100,000 grant to support replication and dissemination activities. In addition, top finalists will also receive monetary grants. Here are some details from the program officials: The application involves three simple questions that shouldn't take more than an hour or two to compose. Communities interested can go to this link. All units of government — federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial — from all policy areas are eligible to apply for recognition.

While we don't have $100,000 to award, the Michigan Municipal League also has a competition to recognize innovations taking place in Michigan communities. The League's Race for the Cup/Community Excellence Award competition will start next month during our 2012 Capital Conference. Competitors are given five minutes to present at their respective Regional Roundtable, held during the Capital Conference March 20 in Lansing. Following the presentations, the seminar attendees vote and the winner (for that region) is announced.

The seven region finalists go on to represent their communities in the final round at the League’s Annual Convention, where votes from every attendee are counted, and the winner is announced at the Convention’s final event. Click here for the online entry form. To register and/or learn more about Capital Conference go here: cc.mml.org.

Matt Bach is director of communications for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at mbach@mml.org or (734) 669-6317.

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