Caroline County is going all-American--or at least trying to.
The county is applying for the 2009 All-America City Award, a national award presented each year by the National Civic League.
The program recognizes communities that tackle their challenges and achieve results that have a significant local impact.
The projects Caroline County plans to submit are:
The Dawn Rehabilitation Project, which features construction of a wastewater-treatment system and has upgraded about 20 homes that didn't have indoor plumbing;
The Dental Health Program, which provides dental care to low-income youth;
The Caroline County Library System, which has become more than just a library by stepping up its efforts to offer assistance to residents because of the current economic conditions.
The county placed in the top 17 finalists last year and was the only Virginia locality represented.
There is no monetary prize, but the national recognition is worth it, county officials said.
"We've done a lot of good things for the citizens of Caroline County, but nobody really knows about it," said George Wieber of the Planning and Community Development office. "We could use the All-America City Award to bring in commerce and visitors--all assets that the county could use."
The county's All-America planning committee plans to discuss the award at Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting at the Community Services Center at 6 p.m.
Portsia Smith: 540/374-5419
Email: psmith@fredericksburg.com