Madison – Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said today that increasing numbers of national publications are reporting what Madisonians already know: that their city is one of the best places in America to live or do business. The city received numerous awards in 2005 in publications ranging from USA Today to Forbes to Outside magazine.

“Madison is one of the most livable cities in America with one of the strongest economies anywhere,” said Cieslewicz. “We should all be proud of the national recognition our community continues to receive. As mayor, I will continue to work diligently in 2006 to keep Madison moving forward, and keep the awards coming.”

A selected list of Madison’s honors in 2005, as compiled by the Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) at http://www.visitmadison.com/visitorinfo/awards.php follows.

Economy
* One of the Ten Best Metros for Business and Careers: Forbes, May, 2005
* Rated “5-Star Business Opportunity Metro”: Expansion Management magazine, July, 2005
* Rated #6 Mid-Sized City in the U.S. for Entrepreneurs: Entrepreneur magazine, October, 2005
* “One of 15 Up-and-Coming Hubs for Creative Workers”: Fast Company, November, 2005

Education
* Madison’s Public Schools Rank #3 in Nation: Expansion Management Magazine, April, 2005
* Madison Ranked the 4th “Brainiest” City in the Country: American City Business Journals Inc., Spring, 2005

Environment and Recreation
* One of the 20 Best Walking Cities: Prevention, April, 2005
* One of America's Top Ten Green Cities: The Green Guide, April, 2005
* One of 10 Greenest Cities in the Nation, Vegetarian Times: Vegetarian Times, July, 2005
* 2005 Award for Garden Excellence, Olbrich Botanical Gardens: American Association of Botanic Gardens and Arboreta (AABGA), Summer, 2005
* One of 10 “New American Dream Towns”: Outside magazine, August, 2005
* “One of the 10 Best Places to Live the Athletic Life”: geezerJock, Fall, 2005
* One of the Ten Best Places for Outdoor Activities: Sperling's Best Places, Fall, 2005
* “10 Great Places to Welcome Fall with a Flourish”: USA Today, October, 2005

Others
* Awarded Five-star Community in Quality of Life Quotient™: Expansion Management Magazine, March, 2005
* One of 10 Great Places to Enjoy a Textbook Getaway: USA Today, August, 2005
* UW-Madison Tabbed Best Game-Day Atmosphere: Sports Illustrated on Campus, September, 2005
* Rated #1 in “Digital Cities Survey”: Center for Digital Government, November, 2005
* Ranked #3 in The Top 100 Healthiest Cities for Pregnancy: BabyFit.com, December, 2005
* Ranked One of the 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live: 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live, Gregory A. Kompes, Fall, 2005