Gov. Robert Bentley has awarded $122,000 grant to help five Alabama municipalities chart a course to a better future.
The Community Development Block Grants were awarded to Bridgeport, Falkville, Oxford, Triana and Walnut Grove to assist those municipalities to develop a strategic plans involving infrastructure improvements, growth and development, downtown revitalization and other essential factors that could strengthen the communities and improve the lives of residents.
“Strategic planning not only enables local governments to establish important goals, it also outlines methods of achievement,” Bentley said. “I am confident these studies will be a valuable tool for boosting the quality of life.”
A breakdown of each grant is as a follows:
• Bridgeport ($20,000) will draw up a plan to analyze and provide guidelines for downtown commercial redevelopment. Through the plan, the city hopes to prevent further deterioration of downtown structures and make the area viable again for businesses and residents. The plan will include renovation proposals aimed making the downtown attractive and people friendly.
• Falkville ($24,000) will use funding to develop a plan for the revitalization of its downtown. Among considerations in the study, to be prepared by the North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments, will be eliminating blight and slum, filling vacant buildings with tenants and making the district conducive to shopping and visiting.
• Oxford ($22,400) will use funds to develop a downtown revitalization plan. Many of the city’s downtown buildings are vacant and dilapidated, but the city wants to reinvigorate the downtown district. The grant will serve as a precursor to the city’s participation in Main Street, a federal program that assists cities and towns in restoring the economic vibrancy of downtowns.
• Triana ($19,800) will produce a comprehensive planning report with the purpose of providing guidelines for growth, development and community improvements. The plan will include analysis and recommendations involving land use, transportation and roads, housing, parks and recreation, tourism and economic development.
• Walnut Grove ($36,000) will utilize funds to provide direction for the town and establish an identity conducive to attracting people to the community. Town officials feel the town’s location off U.S. 278 will contribute to its ability to attract people who work in Gadsden or Birmingham. The town’s last comprehensive plan was done in 1986.
Bentley awarded the grants from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will administer the grant.
ADECA manages a range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.
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Contact Jim Plott or Larry Childers