NORWICH – A celebration was held Monday night as the Greater Norwich area has been named one of the 50 quarterfinalists in the America’s Best Communities (ABC) competition.
Greater Norwich – comprised of not only the City of Norwich but also North Norwich and the Town of Norwich – is in the running to potentially receive millions of dollars to revitalize the area.
The dinner and celebration was held at the Canasawacta Country Club Monday night, and area business leaders were in attendance, in addition to Norwich Mayor Joseph Maiurano and Assemblyman Clifford Crouch.
Frontier Communications’ Area General Manager Claudia Maroney said that this idea came about last September, and she extended gratitude to the additional sponsors supporting the competition, including DishNetwork and The Weather Channel.
“As Chairman and CEO of Frontier for the past ten years, I have traveled and spent time in many of the communities we serve,” said Maggie Wilderotter. “I have seen a great sense of camaraderie and was inspired by how people come together to work for the better of their community.”
“We know how great of a community this is,” said Maroney. “We are one of 50 left in the running, which awarded us $35,000. Chobani, our strategic mentor, was gracious enough to donate $50,000.”
Maroney acknowledged Jeff Genung, Chobani’s Senior Manager of Corporate Communications, for Chobani’s assistance and contribution to the efforts.
As quarterfinalists in the ABC competition, Maroney said a Go Pro camera was awarded, with which videos have been captured, highlighting the exciting and important facets of the area.
She explained that the winners of the competition will be awarded $3 million for first place, $2 million for second, and $1 million for first.
It was explained that Frontier spans 28 states currently, but it soon will add Texas, California and Florida to its list of supplied areas.
“Sherburne is one of our largest call centers,” said Maroney. “We work very closely with veterans, and we have been recognized as a military friendly employer.”
“Frontier Communications is proud and confident in our Chenango team as we move toward the finish line,” said Maroney.
“This is such a great community,” said Assemblyman Clifford Crouch. “We live here because we want to. We stayed here. We choose to stay here.”
Crouch recalled when he was bringing some visitors here down Route 12. “They couldn’t believe a city this small could support a YMCA,” Crouch said. “And to think, that was the old YMCA.”
Said Crouch, “Just keep pushing. Support a lot of projects. Good luck to everyone who was a part of this, and for making it real.”
Norwich’s Mayor Joseph Maiurano said to the crowd, “One of the great things about this community is you. Take a look at every table … it’s you.”
“I think we have a really great chance at being America’s Best Community,” Maiurano said. “I’m amazed with what everyone’s done so far. It’s a super community. I have lived here all my life, I raised my children here – it’s a great place.”
Executive Vice President of External Affairs Kathleen Abernathy took to the podium after Maroney explained her extensive background in not only legal affairs but business.
“Maggie Wilderotter (Frontier’s CEO) has been the brain child of this,” said Abernathy, who has been with Frontier Communications for ten years.
Abernathy thanked everyone in attendance and said that where the Greater Norwich area is in the competition started from the ground up.
Abernathy said there were 300 applicants out of the 28-state footprint, and “Greater Norwich is one of the quarterfinalists … that’s huge.”
“We (Frontier) thought: How can we as a company do something that stimulates your tenacity, stimulates your creative juices?” asked Abernathy.
Abernathy said country singer Vince Gill was brought up by a board member. “He doesn’t endorse things,” Abernathy said. “He gave us the opportunity to talk to him and he said, ‘I’m in, I’m in!’”
“He has a ton of followers, so that helped to increase the visibility of the ABC program,” said Abernathy.
What was also needed for the program was assistance from Fortune 500 companies.
“Chobani has tasty and healthy products, and they’re local, and one of the sponsors,” Abernathy said.
Chobani’s role in the ABC competition was to give the initial $15,000 to serve as Norwich’s sponsor. The company had agreed to participate before it knew that Norwich had even applied as a contestant. While Chobani has donated money, the company has no direct say in how it is spent.
“We have our eyes on the $3 million grand prize,” said Abernathy. “It’s more than a grand prize, it’s charting a path forward. It’s for our children to stay here, to live and thrive.”
