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Congratulations Harvey, City of the Year

Harvey was named 2018 City of the Year by the North Dakota League of Cities during the league’s 2018 Annual Conference Sept. 15 in Grand Forks.

We’re not shocked.

The award recognizes a smaller city in the state for the quality, number and progressiveness of activities undertaken. With a population of about 1,800 Harvey is all that.

When Minot Daily News goes looking for fresh stories about people thriving in small towns, we look to Harvey. There is always something positive and of interest to the rest of us happening in Harvey.

The town has its struggles as all North Dakota towns do. Most recent was the downsizing of the railroad’s presence in town. Harvey will get past that setback. But as to the award:

“This was a wonderful surprise, but I want to give the credit where it is due,” Harvey Mayor Ann Adams said. “Our past city council members, our former mayors who were in my position, our Job Development Authority Boards, and the many volunteers from the private sector made this possible. The credit goes to them for the foresight to develop a strategic plan in 2002 that elected officials and boards ensured was followed all the way forward to today. That was essential.”

No doubt. As they say, it takes a

village …

In 2002 the city invited private sector participation in complementary initiatives, developing a strategic plan that would focus on economic development, education, clinical care, fire protection, core utility infrastructure, law enforcement, city-owned infrastructure and parks and recreations facilities while allowing the city to control its own narrative.

The project was broken down into four sectors:

– Rebuild and expand basic infrastructure, initial development of a new industrial park and provision for adequate child care.

– Renewal and expansion of public spaces such as ballparks, walkways, bikeways and downtown people-sticky places.

– Private sector entities whose development and economic effort complemented that of the city.

– Renewed engagement to the city by private individuals, civic organizations/clubs, communities of faith and grant-awarding agencies.

And there have been great successes brought to fruition through a healthy mix of public and private money. Infrastructure, economic development, beatification and recreation – all were areas of improvement as was pointed out by the league in bestowing the award on Harvey.

It obviously took the people of Harvey many years to accomplish its goals. Only they know the extent of effort and sacrifice that got them this far.

People of Harvey – City of the Year – step back and take a moment to enjoy the limelight before pushing on as we know you will.

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