The Association of Defense Communities named Montgomery and the River Region as one of its top five Great American Defense Communities during its 2023 national summit.
“Our community is proud to earn the Great American Defense Community distinction,” Mayor Steven L. Reed said. “Our goal is to build stronger bonds between the service members at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base and the greater Montgomery/River Region communities. We will continue implementing programs and infrastructure that prioritize the needs of our military neighbors and their families as part of our longstanding tradition of civilian partnership and support, which includes the Maxwell-River Region Partnership for Educational Excellence.”
Montgomery and the River Region join El Paso, Texas; Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska; the Fort George G. Meade region in Maryland and greater Omaha, Nebraska.
“The Montgomery-River Region is a great example of how communities are working tirelessly to ensure America’s military can be proud of where they call home,” ADC President Karen Holt said.
“This recognition reflects extremely well upon the people of Montgomery — Our businesses, our military leadership, our elected leaders, and, most of all, the people who live and work and play here in the River Region,” said Montgomery Chamber Chairman LaBarron Boone. “Our Montgomery Chamber works every day to support military families and missions throughout our area.”
Every day, America’s defense communities are working to create welcoming and supportive spaces for service members and their families to live and thrive. As the home to our military, these communities recognize the unique challenges and hard work needed to ensure military families are made to feel valued. In Montgomery, leaders cited many of the below programs that have helped support military families:
- Referendum increasing support for Montgomery schools for the first time in 40+ years.
- Expanded programs that are important to military families, including international baccalaureate schools and high-quality pre-K.
- Enhanced quality of life for military families in Montgomery and supported an extensive greenway trail network and Montgomery Whitewater.
- Mayor Reed and local leaders stood with Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth to pass a 2021 package of bills to retain, safeguard and improve the military presence and investment across the state.
- Secured $33.2 Million in federal funding in 2022 to support the mission of Maxwell-Gunter AFB & the Alabama Air National Guard.
- Launched pilot program with DODEA to allow access to Montgomery’s magnet schools for families living on-base.
- Cut red tape to offer extended MPS registration to military families.
- Led efforts to provide reciprocity to military spouses, allowing professionals with an out-of-state license to work in Alabama.
The Great American Defense Communities (GADC) program shines a light on the regions and individuals that are making a difference. The program was designed to recognize and celebrate communities with an exceptional commitment to improving the lives of service members, veterans and their families. The Great American Defense Communities is made possible through ADC’s partnership with USAA.
“It comes as no surprise to me to see Montgomery and the River Region celebrated for their commitment to excellence involving military family support,” said Colonel Ryan Richardson, Commander 42nd Air Base Wing. “The longstanding partnership between Maxwell AFB and the community we are a part of has always been one to celebrate.”
“This is a clear demonstration of what can happen when defense, the public sector and private business work together toward economic and quality of life goals designed to benefit everyone living and working in the River Region,” said Montgomery County Commission Chairman Doug Singleton. “Now the world knows what we know: Montgomery truly is a Great American Defense Community.”
This distinction has been elusive for Montgomery. City leaders began working to earn this award in 2016. Now – and thank to the leadership of Mayor Reed, Montgomery has been officially recognized as a 2023 Great American Defense Community!
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