Russellville Mayor David Reed Grissom has announced he received information from Congressman Robert Aderholt’s office on Mon., April 17, 2023, that the Russellville Public Library/Multipurpose Community Center has been included as one of the congressman’s funding requests in fiscal year 2024.

The funding would be used to build a library/multipurpose community center. The amount requested for the project is $3,892,000.00. The funding request was made through a letter Aderholt sent March 23, 2023. If the funding is secured, the facility will be built on property located behind Russellville City Hall in Russellville’s downtown district on property donated to the city in August 2020 by the Billy and Leila Norris Family.

“I received information from Congressman Aderholt that the Russellville Library/Multipurpose Community Center has been submitted as one of his earmark funding requests,” Grissom said. “We are thankful that the congressman has included our project, and we are hopeful that it will make it through the funding process in Washington, D.C. This project will benefit our entire Russellville community.

Congressman Aderholt was here in Russellville the day the Norris Family donated the property to the city, and we are so thankful for his help on the funding of this project,” he added.

“I was pleased to request funding for this project,” Aderholt explained. “This is a project that directly benefits the citizens of Russellville and the surrounding communities.

While there are many steps left to go in the appropriations process before we know what projects will ultimately be funded in FY 2024, I’m hopeful this will be included. I also will continue to advocate in Washington for the needs of the Fourth District and the people who call it home.”

The prospect comes as welcome news to Russellville Public Library Director Joshlyn Bowen.

“I am ecstatic with the news the mayor delivered to me this morning regarding the status of the funding request for the new Library/Multipurpose Community Center. Thank you to Congressman Aderholt for his consideration.”

Bowen said while she knows it’s only the beginning stages of the process, she has “high hopes” of the project making it all the way through.

She explained during her first year as director, she focused on “bringing life to the library and establishing it as a focal point of the community,” adding going into her second year – starting May 16, 2023 – her goal was to highlight the importance of a new library/multipurpose community center with “more parking space, larger programming space, as well as meeting areas and computer space to service the patrons of our community.”

Bowen emphasized her hopes for the funding request to be approved.
“Hopefully all goes well with the continuing process, and the community will grow once again under the hard work of our mayor and councilmen.”