Grand Island Named Finalist for 2026 All-America City Award
Grand Island, Neb. — The City of Grand Island has been named one of 20 finalists for the 2026 All America City Award, a prestigious national recognition presented by the National Civic League that honors communities demonstrating excellence in civic engagement, collaboration and innovation.
The All-America City Award, now in its 75th year, recognizes communities that leverage the power of residents, organizations and local government to drive meaningful change. This year’s theme, Strengthening Civic Health and Building Trust, highlights communities that are creating inclusive environments, fostering participation and building stronger connections among residents.
Grand Island was selected through a competitive, expert-led review process that evaluated communities across six key areas: shared vision, civic engagement, inclusiveness and equity, collaboration, innovation and impact.
“This year’s All-America City finalists remind us that the strength of democracy depends on engaged residents who are invested in shaping the future of the places they call home,” National Civic League President Doug Linkhart said. “As the nation marks 250 years since its founding, these communities are proving that civic health is improved block by block, through trust, belonging and the collective power of people working together.”
The 20 finalist communities, representing 16 states and ranging in size from 12,000 to nearly 500,000 residents, were selected for their commitment to strengthening civic health and building trust. What unites them is a shared belief that residents should have a meaningful voice in shaping their community’s future. Mayor Roger Steele credited the work of local partners who helped position Grand Island for national recognition.
“This recognition is a direct result of the leadership and commitment shown by Tonja Brown and Grow Grand Island, whose efforts helped bring this opportunity forward for our community,” Mayor Steele said. “It’s an honor to be recognized on a national stage in a way that reflects both the progress we’ve made and the continued growth of Grand Island as a welcoming community committed to moving forward together.”
Grand Island will now advance to the final phase of the competition, where a local delegation will travel to Denver, Colorado, from June 26 through June 28 to present the community’s work to a national panel of civic leaders. The presentation will highlight local initiatives, partnerships and community-driven efforts that have made a measurable impact.
The All-America City Award event brings together finalists from across the country to share ideas, participate in workshops and learn from one another. The event concludes with a closing ceremony where the 2026 All-America Cities will be announced.
Grand Island joins the following communities as finalists:
Bowling Green-Warren County, Kentucky
Chelsea, Massachusetts
Conway, South Carolina
Franklin, Tennessee
Grand Island, Nebraska
Harlingen, Texas
Huntsville, Alabama
Jenks, Oklahoma
Monrovia, California
Montgomery, Alabama
Morrisville, North Carolina
Norfolk, Virginia
North Charleston, South Carolina
Opa-locka, Florida
River Forest, Illinois
Riviera Beach, Florida
Roanoke, Virginia
Stow, Ohio
Wichita, Kansas
Woodburn, Oregon
More information about the All-America City Award is available at https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/america-city-award/.