City of Little Rock Contact:

Meg Matthews

mmatthews@littlerock.gov

(501) 804-4822

(501) 371-4421

Kiplinger’s Contact:

Jessica Weeg

O: 646-695-7043

C: 513-238-6530

jessica@rosengrouppr.com

Little Rock Ranked #1 of America’s 10 Great Places to Live by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

— Rankings Place Value on Livability in Small and Mid-Size Cities —

(July 25, 2013)—Little Rock has been named number one on Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s list of 10 Great Places to Live for 2013. The rankings place an emphasis on small and mid-size cities, considering metro areas with a population of one million or less that have good jobs, reasonably priced homes, decent schools and access to great health care. The rankings appear in Kiplinger’s September 2013 issue—on newsstands August 6, 2013—and available online now.

“We are pleased to receive this recognition from Kiplinger,” said City Manager Bruce Moore.  “Those of us who call Little Rock home recognize it is a great city for living, working and playing.  It is always nice when an well-respected, objective source such as Kiplinger reconfirms this.   This honor is a testament to visionaries who have worked to position Little Rock as a leading city.  As City Manager, I also want to thank the men and women of the City of Little Rock who work each and every day to ensure that residents and visitors alike have the opportunity to enjoy all that Little Rock offers.”

With its scenic beauty, diverse community, cultural offerings and key employers—including the state government and two major universities—Little Rock has the amenities of a larger city but is small enough that residents feel part of the community. Burlington, Vermont, and Bryan-College Station, Texas, round out the top three, taking second and third place, respectively.

Kiplinger’s “10 Great Places to Live”:

1.     Little Rock, Arkansas

2.     Burlington, Vermont

3.     Bryan-College Station, Texas

4.     Santa Fe, New Mexico

5.     Columbia, South Carolina

6.     Billings, Montana

7.     Morgantown, West Virginia

8.     Ithaca, New York

9.     Anchorage, Alaska

10.  Dubuque, Iowa

“As Mayor, I am elated over being ranked Number 1 on Kiplinger’s list of the 10 Great Places to Live for 2013,” said Mayor Mark Stodola.  “Kiplinger has long been recognized as a leader in finance and forecasting and their ranking of Little Rock as #1 is proof positive that our community is fast becoming the next great American city in the South! We have good jobs, an educated workforce, good home values and great natural and cultural amenities that highlight a wonderful quality of life. Three cheers for Little Rock!”

“Each year we take a look at America’s cities and choose those that stand out in a particular category—say, for raising a family, starting out after college or enjoying retirement,” says Janet Bodnar, Editor of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. “The cities in this year’s rankings have a manageable size combined with a wide range of benefits that allow residents to enjoy a convenient and comfortable lifestyle.”

Web visitors will find special features, including a tool to find your best city, a slide show of the 10 Great Places to Live—including picks of what the locals love—and a tool to see how your city stacks up against Kiplinger’s picks. In addition, the ranking will be listed with Kiplinger’s other city rankings in the Best Cities, States & Places special report available at kiplinger.com/links/bestcities. Join the online conversation by using the #KipCities hashtag.

About Kiplinger

For nine decades, the Kiplinger organization has led the way in personal finance and business forecasting. Founded in 1920 by W.M. Kiplinger, the company developed one of the nation's first successful newsletters in modern times. The Kiplinger Letter, launched in 1923, remains the longest continuously published newsletter in the United States. In 1947, Kiplinger created the nation's first personal finance magazine. Kiplinger.com is the fastest growing Web site in the personal finance space. Located in the heart of our nation's capital, the Kiplinger editors remain dedicated to delivering sound, unbiased advice for your family and your business in clear, concise language. Become a fan of Kiplinger on Facebook or Kiplinger.com.

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