Communities Demonstrate Leadership and Collaboration to Drive Positive Change

St Joseph, Missouri – Communities of Excellence 2026 is proud to announce that ten communities have been awarded the prestigious Communities of Excellence recognition for their commitment to improving the quality of life for residents through collaborative leadership and community-wide initiatives.

This recognition celebrates the communities’ dedication to using the Baldrige-based Communities of Excellence Framework, which focuses on social impact through performance excellence, collaborative strategic goal setting, and resident engagement. By embracing this framework, each community has taken significant steps to solve pressing challenges and create a stronger, more vibrant future.

Three communities were recognized for completing the application requirements of our Assessment and Recognition Program.  They are:

• North Central New Mexico – Commitment to Community Excellence (Level 1)
• Coral Springs, Florida – Journey to Community Excellence (Level 2)
• Castle Pines, Colorado – Community of Excellence (Level 3)

In addition, seven communities were assessed by a panel of judges who award bronze, silver, or gold recognitions based on the maturity of the community’s processes and results.  They are:

• Kanawha County, West Virginia – Community of Excellence Bronze
• McCook, Nebraska - Community of Excellence Bronze
• Coral Gables, Florida - Community of Excellence Silver
• Excelsior Springs, Missouri - Community of Excellence Silver
• San Diego South Region, California – Community of Excellence Silver
• West Kendall, Florida – Community of Excellence Silver

The evaluation process for the Communities of Excellence recognition was supported by over 60 dedicated volunteers who carefully reviewed each application. These volunteers provided thoughtful, detailed feedback on each community’s strengths and opportunities for improvement. Their expertise and commitment were critical in ensuring a thorough and fair assessment, helping communities understand where they excel and where they can continue to grow.

These communities have demonstrated remarkable progress in aligning their efforts around shared goals, improving communication with residents, and developing data-driven approaches to measure their success. From addressing economic development to improving education and public health, each community is making a lasting impact.

"We are incredibly proud of these ten communities for their outstanding commitment to excellence and the impact they are making," said Stephanie Norling, President and CEO of Communities of Excellence 2026. "Their dedication to working collaboratively, using data to guide decisions, and continuously improving their processes sets a remarkable example for communities across the nation.

As these ten communities continue their journey toward excellence alongside 16 others in the National Learning Collaborative and Alumni Program, their commitment to continuous improvement sets an example for others striving to create positive, lasting change. Communities of Excellence 2026 looks forward to supporting their ongoing progress and helping them achieve even greater milestones in the years to come.

All ten communities will be honored in a special ceremony on October 28th at the Communities of Excellence Conference in Coral Gables, Florida.

For more information about Communities of Excellence 2026 and the recognized communities, please visit www.communitiesofexcellence2026.org.

Media Contact:
Stephanie Norling
President/CEO
Communities of Excellence 2026
619-719-1045
snorling@communitiesofexcellence2026.org 
www.communitiesofexcellence2026.org