INGLEWOOD, CA – The City of Inglewood was recently named one of 10 All-America Cities by the National Civic League following a months-long nationwide competition, making it the second time Inglewood has earned the honor in 20 years.

The award, which has honored distinguished U.S. communities since 1949, calls for participants to demonstrate excellence in area of economic stimulus, commercial development, and civic outreach. Inglewood was named one of 32 finalists in March and won the award June 19 following a three-day finals competition in Tampa, Fla. 

Among the many projects that contributed to Inglewood's achievement was a partnership with the Los Angeles Opportunities Industrialization Committee, South Bay Workforce Investment Board, South Bay One-Stop Business and Career Centers, Inglewood Unified School District, County of Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services, and the County Department of Public Social Services to launch the Auto Repair Apprenticeship program, originally conceived to teach automotive skills no longer offered by public schools. The program, at no cost to the student, has trained more than 120 young adults. Graduates have the opportunity to become professionally certified in auto maintenance, resulting in an 82-percent job placement rate. 

In addition to earning this achievement, the City of Inglewood's Fleet Management Division has also earned several honors this past year. Fleet was recognized as a 2009 Green Fleet Award Winner at the NAFA Institute & Expo in April, with Rick Longobart, fleet services superintendent, accepting the award on behalf of the department.

Longobart, who led the City of Inglewood through a 6-year alternative fuel plan focusing on the replacement of 143 vehicles and implementation of a green depot fueling infrastructure for an expected annual savings of more than $100,000, was also named one of four finalists for Government Fleet magazine's 2009 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year award.

To learn more about the City's achievements, click here.