Is Laurel North America’s strongest town?

That’s the question a group of residents and elected officials in the City of Laurel are trying to answer after Laurel was nominated, along with 15 other cities across North America, for the 11th annual Strongest Town Contest.

The contest is organized by the Strong Towns nonprofit, a movement-based organization that advocates for cities and towns to approach growth strategically with development that is financially strong and resilient.

“A “strong town” is any town, big or small, that is taking tangible steps to overcome its transportation, housing, or financial challenges. This contest spotlights the work of city residents and leaders who are using this approach to become more resilient over time,” according to a press release from Strong Towns.

Laurel is the only municipality in Maryland and the Washington, D.C. region in the contest.

“A nomination like this reflects the pride, collaboration, and commitment that define our community,” said Mayor Keith Sydnor in a press release. “Laurel residents consistently show up to support their neighborhoods, our local businesses, and the initiatives that make our city stronger.”

Laurel advanced to the open voting round after city resident Calvin Burns applied to the contest, believing the city’s strong fiscal discipline, administrative and planning policies would make it competitive.

“Laurel already does so many of the things that this nonprofit advocates for cities to start doing,” said Burns, 26.

Burns, an environmental engineer who works in land development, said he had been following the organization in his professional career and jumped at the chance to submit Laurel after seeing an open call. He said he immediately sent an email to more than 30 residents and city staff asking for photos and input on responses to several open-ended application questions.

“I hit submit and was thrilled to find out later that week that we had been accepted into the competition,” Burns said.

But claiming the title of “Strong Town” is far from over for Laurel.

The city made it through the vetting round and now is in the first open voting round through March 13, where it is vying for votes with cities and towns such as Chicago; Madison, Wisconsin; and Whitby, Ontario. If Laurel survives the opening round of voting, the process will repeat until the fourth round, when a champion will be declared in early April.

City leaders said the contest is a way for residents to show hometown pride by voting.

“I certainly think if we band together, I have a high degree of confidence that Laurelites can do a lot of really great things,” said Laurel Councilman Adrian Simmons. “Part of getting people engaged with being part of who and what Laurel is, is things like this that can help raise the profile.”

Should Laurel take the crown, its winnings will include a trophy, a mini-documentary about the city and tickets to a Strong Towns national gathering. Laurel would join past winners including Pensacola, Florida; Marion, Ohio; and Brattleboro, Vermont.

Burns said Laurel faces stiff competition in the days ahead, but he is hopeful the city will prevail.

“In my heart of hearts, I think that we are more than deserving of the title Strongest Town,” he said.

To vote in the “Strongest Town” contest, visit https://www.strongesttown.com/ and cast a vote by 10 a.m. EST March 13.