Cities Matter

Cities Matter is a campaign designed to raise awareness of city services and their direct contribution to Minnesota’s quality of life; to help citizens understand how truly important cities are in their daily lives. The campaign was launched at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair.

The Cities Matter website is www.citiesmatter.org. The site invites Minnesotans to consider the variety of city services they use every day. The League is excited about this effort to highlight the great services cities provide to citizens. Together we will work to see that residents make the connection between city services and the quality of life we all cherish.
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Help promote the campaign!
One of the easiest ways you can help promote the Cities Matter campaign is by posting a link or banner ad on your city website.

Read more and access Cities Matter banner ads
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Coloring pages
Today’s children are tomorrow’s mayors, administrators, and rec directors! Download and print the coloring pages below. You could host a coloring contest, hand them out at events and forums, or just have them around at city hall for a children’s activity.

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Coming soon: Bean counter display
At the Minnesota State Fair we invited visitors to “be a city bean counter.” Each person was given a six-bean budget, but had to make tough decisions in spending it on eight services that most Minnesota cities provide. Many who tried the activity felt it was difficult to choose between clean water and senior services, or libraries and fire protection. Some cities have already inquired about hosting the bean counter display themselves. Check back soon for details on how you can do this!

See a video of fairgoers talking about taking the six-bean budget challenge

www.citiesmatter.org