Some big headlines coming out of our 12-mile long Island in the last week. All three are a testament to the governing administration, and to the community for the valuable time investment poured into making this a wonderful place to live.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Named a Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists
May 14, 2019 | The League of American Bicyclists recognized the Town of Hilton Head Island with a Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award, joining 476 communities across the country in building better places for people to bike. With today’s announcement of ten new and renewing BFCs, Hilton Head Island joins a group of communities that are transforming the American landscape and leading on livability measurements important to community members.
“We applaud communities like Hilton Head Island for making bicycling a safe, comfortable, and convenient option for transportation and recreation,” said Bill Nesper, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists. “We are inspired by leaders who see bicycling as a way to build more vibrant, healthy, sustainable and connected communities and be a part of the solution to many complex public health and safety challenges faced at both the community and national levels.”
The League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly America program sets the standard for how communities evaluate their quality of life, sustainability, and accessibility while allowing them to benchmark progress toward making biking better. With this latest round of new and renewing awardees, there are currently 476 Bicycle Friendly Communities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The Gold Level BFC award recognizes Hilton Head Island’s commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investments in bike infrastructure, education programs, and promoting and encouraging bicycling through events and pro-bicycling policies.
“This is the second time we have earned the Gold-Level designation from the League of American Bicyclists,” said Town Manager Steve Riley. “This national acknowledgment as a Bicycle Friendly Community for two award cycles shows that we have worked to improve and sustain policies and infrastructure related to bicycling. It shows that we understand and value cycling for fitness, fun, and travel.”
More than 800 communities have applied for recognition by the Bicycle Friendly Community program, which provides a roadmap to making biking better for communities of all shapes and sizes. The rigorous application process is an educational tool in itself and includes an opportunity for local bicyclists to provide input on their experiences and perceptions of bicycling in their community.
The five levels of the BFC award – diamond, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze, plus an honorable mention category and a no designation level – provide a clear incentive for communities to continuously improve. Awarded communities must renew their status every four years to ensure that they not only maintain existing efforts, but also keep up with changing technology, national safety standards, and community-driven best practices.
To learn more about the BFC program, visit bikeleague.org/community.
View this news release in its entirety at http://hiltonheadislandsc.gov/government/news/newsdetails.cfm?NewsID=512
United States Tennis Association awards $40,000 Grant to the Town of Hilton Head Island
May 8, 2019 | The United States Tennis Association (USTA), through its USTA Facility Assistance Program, has awarded a $40,000 grant to the Town of Hilton Head Island.
This is the first time the Town has received the grant that will be used to refurbish four 78-foot tennis courts, with 36- and 60-foot blended playing lines, at the Cordillo tennis courts at 104 Cordillo Parkway. Earlier this week, the Town announced that the courts would be closed to allow a contractor to demolish and replace the tennis courts and surrounding fence. Public Tennis Inc., a nonprofit organization in Beaufort County, will provide tennis programs for adults and youth once the courts are refurbished.
The USTA Facility Assistance Program aims to support and provide communities access to safe, appealing and functional tennis environments. Since 2005, the USTA has awarded these grants to support tennis facility enhancements, renovations and new construction projects to provide more and enhanced tennis venues for increased playing opportunities. In total, the USTA Facilities Assistance Program has built more than 39,000 tennis courts across the country, for all ages and abilities to enjoy the sport of a lifetime.
In addition, grant recipients receive technical assistance. The USTA Facility Assistance Program provides industry-leading experience in tennis court and facility construction from concept plans to professional construction document review.
By investing in the rehabilitation and development of tennis facilities in the United States, the USTA believes these facilities not only will grow the sport, but provide venues for communities to gather and provide lifelong healthy activity through tennis.
Since 2005 the USTA has allocated more than $12 million through the Facility Assistance Program to help support tennis facility enhancements, renovations and new construction projects.
View this news release in its entirety at http://hiltonheadislandsc.gov/government/news/newsdetails.cfm?NewsID=509
Town of Hilton Head Island Recognized For Excellence in Financial Reporting for 30th Year in a Row
May 7, 2019 | The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to the Town of Hilton Head Island by Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).
This is the 30th consecutive year the Town has earned this recognition, said Steve Riley, Town Manager. “This award is a testament of the strength of our staff and our commitment to excellence in financial reporting. Our staff takes great pride in producing a report that is clear and meets the highest standards set by the Government Finance Officers Association. I am proud of the work they do and excited to once again achieve this honor,” Riley said.
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by government and its management.
The Financial Reporting Achievement award has been presented to the Town’s Finance Department, which is primarily responsible for preparing the award-winning CAFR. The department is led by John Troyer, Director of Finance.
The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential user groups to read the CAFR.
View this news release in its entirety at http://hiltonheadislandsc.gov/government/news/newsdetails.cfm?NewsID=510
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