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Commissioner Thornton’s $2.7M District 10 plan wins committee backing amid appeals for fairness
Summary
A $2.7 million District 10 neighborhood ecosystem pilot proposed by Commissioner Brittany Thornton passed committee with public comment urging transparent distribution and capacity-building for smaller local nonprofits, while other Milton grants for nonprofits received amended allocations.
Committee members recommended a package of Milton Community Enhancement awards that included several small grants and an amended District 10 pilot allocation of roughly $2.7 million for organizing, neighborhood infrastructure and capacity-building. The package was presented by Commissioner Brittany Thornton and drew extensive public comment from Orange Mound residents asking for fair distribution and help with grant capacity.
"Orange Mound is getting 5 times the amount of any other neighborhood," Commissioner Thornton said when describing neighborhood allocations inside the District 10 plan and arguing the approach includes significant resources for organizing and local partners. Public commenters urged a transparent process and urged the sponsor to ensure smaller grassroots organizations can access funds. "I am all for this item... All we want is to take those funds and you distribute them out equally," said Lashonta Rudd, a District 10 resident and substitute teacher.
Committee members emphasized that the funds are not yet banked and that contractual steps remain before payments are made; sponsors pledged a community meeting following commission action to finalize partners and fairness rules. The committee recorded four aye votes for the larger District 10 package at this session and advanced other Milton awards (for example, 1st Congo Food Justice Program and the National Tourism & Heritage Association) as amended.
