Since last summer, the Troy Chamber of Commerce and the City of Troy have undertaken an exciting new endeavor as they participate in Frontier Communications’ America’s Best Community Contest. The contest is open to cities around the United States and takes into account the unique variety of resources, people, and businesses available in each community. In an effort to highlight this and make more information available to members of the community as Troy pursues greater goals in 2016, a Connection Center on the city square is open three days a week as the headquarters and information hub for the competition campaign.

According to JC Wallace from the Troy Development Council, the theme that has surfaced as a result of Troy’s participation in this competition is Becoming a Connected Community. “The Connection Center has become more than a campaign headquarters,” Wallace said. “People have a place to come and be a part of the bigger picture. This has really been a great project for us.”

In the first year, the city has been selected as a quarter finalist, one of Frontier’s 50 best communities in America. This has included a $50,000 stipend for community development in Troy. On January 14, the city will have an open house at the connection center even as they find out if Troy has achieved the next level as a semi-finalist. This level will include an additional $100,000 in funds.

The Troy Foundation, Troy City Schools, Troy Main Street, and the Troy Development Council have been actively working together with the Troy Chamber and the City of Troy to promote the projects put forward since last summer. The competition is an opportunity for the City of Troy to implement initiatives that develop the economy and workforce in the city for the next generation. The Connection Center is about more the contest, however.

Four initiatives have been researched and established as the next steps in community development for Troy. This encompasses a Communication Platform Initiative, a Sustainable Leadership Initiative, a Technology/Infrastructure Initiative and a Downtown/Riverfront Initiative. Each platform is outlined in more detail at the Connection Center and gives the community a voice as they pursue possible ratifications, ideas, and volunteer help in this lengthy process.

Ed Westmeyer of the Troy Chamber of Commerce is excited about the involvement of area companies and is actively encouraging as many local businesses as possible to find ways to engage in the venture. “We have a ton of wonderful partnerships going on here,” Westmeyer said. “Whatever the outcome of this competition, we’ll still be winners. The initiatives we’ve started will be a draw for potential residents, more visitors, and a better workforce.”

Whether or not the City of Troy achieves one of the 15 semi-finalist positions or one of the three coveted finalist’s positions accompanied by $1 million, $2 million, and $3 million, Mayor Beamish says the city plans to continue to pursue the initiatives they have set in place. “We’ve all agreed our vision for the future is solid and we’re going to move forward with these initiatives whether we win or not,” Beamish said. “I always talk about the downtown being the living room of our community and the Connection Center will continue to be a perfect venue for the kind of interaction we want to people to experience here.”

Concerning the contest, Beamish sees it as a motivator but not the ultimate goal. “We love the competition aspect of this and the money is great but all of it springs from a desire to develop a strong workforce and a good economic development effort,” Beamish said. “This is a win-win for us. Together, we’re going to accomplish great things for our city.”

The Connection Center on the square in downtown Troy is open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays or can be reached by phone at 937-335-2578. Look for upcoming issues of the Troy Tribune for more information on the individual initiatives and their projected impact on the community.