Finalists to Compete for 2026 Community Excellence Award

Contact:
Jessica Weirauch
Michigan Municipal League
[email protected], 734-669-6311

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 22, 2026

Projects from Berrien Springs, Buchanan, Rochester, Sterling Heights to Present at League Convention in Traverse City

Ann Arbor, Mich. –The Michigan Municipal League is excited to announce the four finalists for the 2026 Community Excellence Award (CEA). The Cities of Buchanan, Rochester, and Sterling Heights, and the Village of Berrien Springs are moving forward as finalists in this year’s competition.

The CEA was developed in 2007 to celebrate innovative placemaking projects and programs happening across the state. Finalists are determined by a small voting board and compete at the League’s annual Convention gathering, where event attendees will vote for their favorite project.

This year’s Convention is in Traverse City at the Grand Traverse Resort, October 7–9. The League looks forward to having each finalist present on the main stage. This winning community receives a large trophy and bragging rights for the year. The official Community Excellence Award will be presented during the closing general session. The League will issue a press release announcing the winner at that time.

More information about the four finalists and their placemaking projects can be found on the League’s People & Place Blog:

“On behalf of the Michigan Municipal League, I’d like to congratulate these four communities for their selection as CEA finalists,” said League Board President and Lapeer Commissioner Joshua Atwood. “This year’s entries came from all over the state, from cities and villages big and small. What all these placemaking projects have in common is that they reflect a love of their communities and a devotion to the people who live there. They prove what is possible when local leaders work together to make things better. Amazing job, guys; you got it done!”

The League received submissions from the following communities: Berrien Springs, Buchanan, Chelsea, Dearborn, Douglas, East Lansing, Ecorse, Harbor Beach, Holland, Holly, Kalamazoo, Livonia, Oak Park, Portage, Port Huron, Rochester, Royal Oak, Sault Ste. Marie, Sterling Heights, and Sturgis. You can learn more about each of this year’s submissions by viewing their entries on the League’s People & Place Blog.

“We’re deeply grateful to all 20 communities who submitted projects for this year’s Community Excellence Awards” said Heather Elliott, Member Experience Coordinator at the League. “We also want to recognize and thank our panel of judges for their thoughtful review of each entry. It isn’t easy to choose when everyone is doing such wonderful placemaking work. Our four finalist communities showcase the kind of creativity, grit, and municipal leadership that moves Michigan forward. We’re excited to celebrate and share this work in the months leading up to Convention.”

This year’s panel of judges included Eric Waara, City Manager, Houghton and past CEA winner; Sarah Lucas, Director, Michigan Office of Rural Prosperity Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity; and Dana Walker, Director, Michigan Downtown Association.

For questions about the Community Excellence Award, contact the League’s Heather Elliott, member engagement coordinator, Member Experience and Learning, at 734-669-6362 and [email protected]. For media inquiries, contact the League’s Jessica Weirauch, Marketing and Communications Director, at [email protected] and 734-669-6311.

Michigan Municipal League is dedicated to making Michigan’s communities better by thoughtfully innovating programs, energetically connecting ideas and people, actively serving members with resources and services, and passionately inspiring positive change for Michigan’s greatest centers of potential: its communities. The League advocates on behalf of its member communities in Lansing, Washington, D.C., and the courts; provides educational opportunities for elected and appointed municipal officials; and assists municipal leaders in administering services to their communities through League programs and services. Learn more at mml.org