STAMFORD, Conn. — Frontier Communications and DISH Network have launched America’s Best Communities, a $10 million competition to stimulate growth and revitalization in small cities and towns across Frontier’s 27-state footprint.

“This contest is designed to challenge a community’s brightest and most innovative thinkers to develop meaningful strategies and plans that will transform their city or town,” said Maggie Wilderotter, chair and CEO of Frontier Communications.

“Whether ideas come from an individual or a group, visionaries in a community can effect powerful transformations. And the $10 million in support from Frontier and DISH is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Frontier’s 27-state coverage area includes Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia. As communities revitalize, both companies benefit as well, said Frontier Senior Vice President Greg Stephens. “The better the communities do, the better we do,” he added. “It’s not just a one-to-one relationship. The health of the ‘family’ benefits everyone.”

America’s Best Communities is a multi-stage, three-year contest that provides $4 million in seed money and other support to assist communities as they develop growth and revitalization plans. The top three communities will receive a total of $6 million in prize money. Municipalities with populations of 9,500-80,000 within Frontier’s service area are eligible. Communities with populations fewer than 9,500 are urged to join forces with adjacent communities to become eligible.

“DISH got its start serving remote areas of Colorado, so we understand the innovation and entrepreneurialism that springs forth from America’s smaller communities,” said DISH CEO and President Joe Clayton. “Every small community has a story to tell and we want to help create an opportunity for the best ideas that lead to thriving communities to be identified and shared.”

Stephens said the U.S. economy has improved but is nowhere near where it needs to be, and revitalization is slowest in returning to rural America. “Because so many people left the rural areas for opportunities elsewhere, it’s difficult to undo the damage naturally,” he said. “That’s why the time is right for a contest like this. With the economy coming back, we want to be sure rural cities get their fair share.”

Communities must apply by Jan. 12, 2015, to qualify. Judges will select up to 50 applicants in February, each of which will be awarded $35,000 to develop its plan and proposal. These communities will have seven months to refine and submit their final proposals, in September. Up to 15 semifinalists will be selected next November, and will attend America’s Best Communities Summit in January 2016 to present their proposals. In early 2016, eight finalists will be selected and will receive $100,000 each. That prize money will be used to implement the proposed plans and bring them to life, while sharing their successes along the way. The top three winners – those with the most innovative, effective proposals – will be awarded a total of $6 million in grand prizes in October 2017.

Stephens explained the majority of communities in Frontier’s service area are between 9,500-80,000 populations. Those numbers were chosen also because smaller communities might not have the resources to implement plans they might present, and larger communities have greater resources.

Cross-sector teams of local businesspeople, change agents and local government officials are eligible to compete. The lead team member must have nonprofit status. Three to five local businesses that will benefit from the public-private partnership must be identified. A letter of support from the city’s mayor or highest executive also is required.

Although none of the background materials specify this, Stephens said communities can use the contest to further projects already under way. “I see small farming towns pulling together and achieving fantastic things,” he said.”

For more information on America’s Best Communities contest, visit www.americasbestcommunities.com