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Faunsdale awarded $300k grant for downtown improvements


ADECA Director, Kenneth Boswell, visits
Faunsdale and poses in front of the iconic water tower with Robert McKee and Mayor George Kelley
.

The Town of Faunsdale in Marengo County has been awarded a first-ever $300,000 Community Development Block Grant by Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).  The grant will be used to improve the sidewalks and lighting of downtown Faunsdale.

Last year Kenneth Boswell, Director of ADECA, and Frank Dobson, Assistant Executive Director and Development Director of The Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Council, met with Faunsdale Mayor George Kelley, along with George and Robert McKee, members of the Town Council, and Suzanne McKee, Board member of the Faunsdale Foundation to discuss future plans and improvements for Faunsdale.  Robert McKee stated, “The CDBG grant is a gamechanger for our town.  We are so grateful for the help of Mr. Boswell and Mr. Dobson for their help in securing this grant and walking us through the process and for the support of Governor Ivey.”


Robert and Suzanne McKee attend the CDBG Awards Ceremony at the State Capitol.  Left to Right:  Robert McKee, Gov. Kay Ivey, Kenneth Boswell, Suzanne McKee, Frank Dobson, and Sen. Bobby Singleton

Faunsdale continues to be a popular small town in the Black Belt thanks to its good food at both the Faunsdale Cafe for lunches, and weekend meals and entertainment at the Faunsdale Bar & Grill.  The streetscape project will help both restaurants by providing safer entrances and parking.  


The Faunsdale Town Council in front of Faunsdale City Hall.  Left to Right:  Jim Ratcliff, Sadie Black, Robert McKee, Mayor George Kelley, and George McKee.

The Faunsdale Foundation will provide the matching funds necessary for the grant.  The Faunsdale Foundation is a community-based organization dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the historic and cultural heritage of the town of Faunsdale, Alabama. Its goal is to foster pride in Faunsdale ‘s historic landmarks and to educate the public about the historic and cultural heritage of the town and the surrounding agricultural landscape. The Faunsdale Foundation is a 501c (3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization.