Savannah, Ga., is one of eight cities selected to receive the Award for Municipal Excellence at the National League of Cities’ (NLC) 2009 Congress of Cities Exposition in San Antonio, Texas. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this prestigious award. As a Gold winner in the 50,001-150,000 population category, Savannah is being honored for its Neighborhood Renaissance Savannah program.

Recognizing that many of its poorer neighborhoods were in a downward spiral, Savannah developed Neighborhood Renaissance Savannah, a neighborhood revitalization model which includes the human and financial capital necessary to revitalize distressed inner-city neighborhoods.

"The City of Savannah has long taken pride in the quality of its community and its neighborhoods,” said Otis Johnson, Mayor, Savannah, Ga. “Working with neighborhood residents, the Savannah City Council has made the renaissance of distressed neighborhoods a priority and recognizes that its success continues to depend on addressing the physical and human deterioration

of our community."

As a Gold winner, Savannah will receive an award of $2,000, which will be donated to the community non-profit organization of its choice.

“I congratulate Savannah and its Neighborhood Renaissance Savannah for receiving this award,” said Donald J. Borut, NLC executive director. “Savannah’s program has improved the quality of life for its citizens by developing a creative solution to a pressing local problem.”