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ADECA

February 18, 2014
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Bentley awards funding to enhance water recreation in Phenix City
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A $100,000 grant awarded by Gov. Robert Bentley will help Phenix City add another piece to its river-walk complex along the Chattahoochee River making the area more attractive to visitors.

The funding will enable the city to build a path between an existing walk and the river to allow easier access to launch kayaks, rafts and other light recreational vessels.

 “Quality recreational facilities encourage people to get outside and take part in healthy activities,” Bentley said. “Such facilities boost the vitality of a community, increase civic pride and have the potential to enhance tourism and economic development.”

The 367-foot concrete looping trail will provide easy access to a whitewater section of the river preferred by many kayakers, canoers and rafters. Several dams were removed from the river a few years ago restoring some rapids along the free-flowing river.

The project will include benches, lighting, guardrails and signage along the trail. Pre-fabricated restrooms also will be erected. 

Local officials expect the availability of whitewater sports to draw between 60,000 to 100,000 people annually to the Phenix City- Columbus, Ga. area. Several new recreation-related businesses have already arisen in the area to serve whitewater enthusiasts.

Bentley notified Mayor Eddie Lowe that the grant had been approved. The grant was awarded from funds made available to state under the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program.

 The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the program in Alabama. 
 ADECA manages a wide range of grants and programs that support law enforcement, economic development, workforce development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.   

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Contact Jim Plott or Larry Childers


For more information, visit:  http://www.adeca.alabama.gov/