JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
During South Pittsburg’s November city meeting, Commissioner Beth Duggar announced that the Board of Mayor & Commissioners has been awarded $500,000 in DIG (Downtown Improvement Grant) grant funds.
Duggar stated prior to the November meeting, she received an email from the state that the city had officially been awarded the DIG grant that was applied for back in September. She added that South Pittsburg is the only community in Tennessee to have been awarded the grant.
Duggar first discussed the DIG grant during the city’s August meeting. At the time, she explained how the city previously applied for similar grants to improve various structures across town, particuarlily throughout its historic downtown on Cedar Avenue. However, this grant serves as the largest DIG grant the city has applied for, as all funds will go towards making improvements to the downtown’s sidewalks, as well as implementing a new sound system for the downtown. The doors for the Princess Theatre are also being looked at for improvements.
“Like we’ve talked about before, it’s for downtown improvement and fixing our sidewalk in the historic area of town on Cedar Avenue and also part of two blocks on Elm Avenue,” said Duggar.
Additionally, letters will be sent out across town to all property owners throughout the grant area to see what improvements they want to make with their associated structure. An application will be provided for each recipient to fill out, and all applications are to be reviewed by both city officials, as well as members of the town’s committee of citizens. When Vice Mayor Matt Stone asked if whether the funds could be used for indoor renovations, Duggar clarified the funds would only be used for façade-based projects.
“It’s nothing inside the building,” she said. “Just the outside only.”
With the funds now awarded, the board is aiming utilize the funds to overhaul downtown South Pittsburg, bringing new life into a historic piece of Marion County’s history.