Eight Cities Receive Awards of Excellence for Public-Private Partnerships

The U.S. Conference of Mayors last week recognized outstanding partnerships between cities and companies at their 72nd Annual Winter Meeting, held in Washington, D.C. Laredo Mayor Elizabeth Flores presented awards for best practices to Portland, Ore.; Washington, D.C.; Augusta, Ga.; Baltimore; Chicago; Cleveland; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and New Orleans.

Private-sector partners included: Bechtel, Comcast, Fannie Mae, Intrado, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, Motorola, Operations Management International and Oracle.

"All of these partnerships share in common a synergy that has changed the way city services are delivered," said Conference Executive Director J. Thomas Cochran. "Time after time, we have seen how public-private partnerships have resulted in new and creative approaches to solving some of the most intractable problems faced by cities. These award winners will inspire more cities and companies to work together to improve the quality of life for all city residents."