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Chisago Lakes was the first name called Wednesday, in the announcement of eight finalists for the America’s Best Communities (ABC) contest. The Chisago Lakes presentation of a revitalization plan for the area, from Taylors Falls to Chisago City, won over the panel of judges in the national competition.

Chisago Lakes wins $100,000 to move ahead with implementing its key goals and strategies to address issues in this area from developing sustainable energy options to workforce development.  At the end of a year the competition evaluates the work done by the eight finalists and selects three top communities.

Other finalists advancing towards an April 2017 grand prize are: Madison, IN, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Huntington, WV, Statesboro, GA, Darrington/Arlington, WA, Toualatin, OR and Valley City, ID.   There were seven presentations Wednesday that the panel of judges did not advance to the final round of the ABC contest but which were given $25,000 each for their efforts at achieving semi-finals.
 

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