Flint Mayor Dayne Walling has been announced as a finalist in a challenge chaired by Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and Delaware Governor Jack Markell. NewDEAL is a national network of pro-growth progressive state and local elected officials working to expand opportunity in a changing economy. Walling was chosen from a field for his policy solution, Chevy Commons, a green remediation plan for the Chevy in the Hole brownfield along the Flint River. The plan outlines converting the former industrial site into an open community space with grassland, wetland, woodland and other natural environmental features that will attract residents and visitors.

In a statement, Walling said "it is an honor for our work in Flint at the new Chevy Commons site to be recognized by a forward looking national network." Walling was chosen as one of 16 finalists from a total of 60 applicants. A winner in each of the four categories - growing the economy for the future, expanding opportunity for all, making government work better and best public private partnership - will be announced on December 3rd in Washington D.C.

For more information about NewDEAL, visit www.newdealleaders.org or follow Walling on Twitter at @MayorWalling.

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