By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
June 13, 2001
DEKALB Officials here expect to receive $3,000 in grant funds this week for downtown revitalization projects.
Mike McGrevey, Kemper County Economic Development Authority executive director, said the grant was awarded through the Appalachian Region Commission's Appalachian Community Learning Project.
The local revitalization project is called DeKalb Pride.
DeKalb Pride was awarded the grant to paint murals and install a handicapped-accessible sidewalk along Main Street, McGrevey said.
The organizing team McGrevey, J.L. White, Ron Poole, June Aust and Bobbie Harbour attended a two-day workshop to develop a game plan for downtown revitalization, then presented it to ARC officials, who visited the area from Washington D.C.
The team is also working on a larger plan.
He said the team is also working on an application package for a $50,000 grant to replace sidewalks in other portions of downtown.
They are looking for artists, laborers and other skilled volunteers to begin painting the murals and working on the sidewalk, McGrevey said. They hope to begin the work within the next three months.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3275, or e-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.