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Kent France, director of Sanilac County United Way, made the comment following Thursday's announcement that Sanilac County was named one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People in the nation.

More than 300 communities in all 50 states competed for the award sponsored by America' s Promise Alliance. The 100 winners spanned 37 states. Two communities won from Michigan: Sanilac and the Greater Midland area.

More than 100 people representing governing boards of Sanilac County United Way, Sanilac County Community Foundation and Community Mental, along with school and county officials and others gathered at the Bean Seller coffee house in Sandusky to celebrate the national award Thursday morning.

"We're here to celebrate something that doesn't happen every day, " said County Commissioner Norton Schramm of Sandusky. "We're one of 100 best communities in the United States! This shows how much we've achieved to make this a place to get children educated and to make a good start."

Speeches were interrupted several times by congratulatory phone calls from Governor Jennifer Granholm, State Representative John Espinoza, State Senator Jim Barcia, Michigan Senator Carl Levin's office in Washington D.C., and Congressman Pete Hoekstra of Holland, a member of presidential candidate Mitt Romeny's campaign.

"What a testament, a statement about what you're doing," said Granholm. "You're an example to the state and the nation. Continue the great work. Keep it up - do it again next year."

The 100 Best competition recognizes the 100 outstanding communities across America – large and small, rural and urban – that are the best places for young people to live and grow up. Sanilac County was among 31 first-year winners. The rest were repeaters.

Communities were required to submit detailed information on existing community programs that help deliver "Five Promises" identified by American's Promise as being critical to the development of health, successful children: caring adults; safe places; healthy start; effective education; and opportunities to help others and young people.

Two successful programs in Sanilac County stood out for the award. First, the Kids' Connection, where organizations united on the coordination and expansion of programs and services for children and youth. Partners in the Kids' Connections range from the Board of Commissioners, Community Mental Health and family and juvenile courts, to all K-12 school districts, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, businesses, and more than 15 non-profit groups.

Second, the Youth Advisory Committee of the Sanilac County Community Foundation was recognized for its community service efforts, including Cardboard City.

The county's winning application was completed during a whirlwind two-week period last October. Kids' Connection Director Nancy Dean took the lead, pulling together county demographics, and describing how the community works together to deliver the Five Promises, and specific programs developed to ensure young people graduate from high school prepared for college and or the work force.

While Dean was compiling the information, members of YAC were providing the youth component of the award application, writing two essays and creating an eight-minute video highlighting programs and services available to youth.

"There is a huge, huge benefit" from the award," stated Dr. Roger Dean, director of Community Mental Health. In addition to being eligible to apply for $300,000 in grants through America's Promise starting next month, Dean said the county can use the award to attract new business and industry, because employers want to locate in areas with strong programs for families.

By winning Best Communities recognition, Sanilac County shows that urban communities are not better than rural ones.

"I think we're turned that paradigm, that bigger is better, on its head," said Dean.

"Our strength lies in that we are small...Our strength lies in collaboration."