Cheyenne Recognized ‘Mayor’s Challenge Champion’ City

Cheyenne has been recognized as one of 35 finalists in the Bloomberg Philanthropies ''Mayor's Challenge'' across the country, according to an announcement from Mayor  Marian Orr on Wednesday.

Mayor Orr said Cheyenne's entry in the challenge is the ''fight the blight" initiative. The city has been awarded $100,000 to test a prototype of the program over the next six months.

The mayor said Cheyenne will be able to take the ''fight the blight'' campaign to a new level with the 'Buildings with a Purpose' program, which will create a website for linking owners of underutilized commercial properties with entrepreneurs who are looking for flexible spaces to try innovative ideas.

In August, each of the 35 cities will submit a new application for the next phase of the contest. In October 5 winners will be selected. Four of those cities will receive $1 million, and one grand champion will get $5 million to bring their ideas to life.

One of the other 35 finalists is Fort Collins, Colo.

Mayor Orr will be on KGAB radio Thursday morning at 9 to talk more the Mayor's Challenge and what it means for Cheyenne.