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Athens seeks $800,000 in grant funds to support Mooresville Road improvements tied to retail project
Summary
Mayor William R. Marks told council the city will apply to ADECA for $400,000 in CDBG funds and $400,000 in ARC funding to cover part of estimated $1.418 million right-of-way improvements, with a local cash match of $618,192.
Mayor William R. Marks urged the council to authorize submission of grant applications to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) and to the Appalachian Regional Commission to help fund right-of-way improvements at the Mooresville Road/Highway 72 intersection.
"We agreed, if they invest about $22,000,000 and have a hundred jobs, it's a new public shopping center," Marks said, describing a retail development that city officials say would rely on the road work. Marks told the council the city's estimate for the right-of-way improvements is $1,418,192 and that ADECA and ARC have given a verbal commitment of $800,000 split into $400,000 in ARC funds and $400,000 in CDBG funds, leaving a local responsibility of about $618,192.
The resolution before the council authorized the mayor to submit required applications and documents; final contract awards and construction bids would return to the council for formal approval if the grant is awarded. Marks said the council's vote would allow staff to apply and keep the project on the stated timeline.
Council members approved the request unanimously. Several members noted that the grant application is an initial step — awarding of funds and procurement of construction contracts would require later council action.
The council recorded the funding breakdown during debate: an estimated project cost of $1,418,192, an external funding commitment of $800,000 (ADECA/ARC/CDBG/ARC split as described) and a local match of $618,192. The mayor and staff said they will return to council with bids and further details once the grant application is processed.
