In small cities and communities, there's always a need to look for economical ways to fund projects which may enhance their city services, build or improve infrastructure, or just improve the aesthetic quality of the city. Guin is no different in that we are always looking to improve those same areas at a very minimal cost to our taxpayers. To do this, we have to take advantage of a financial grant process setup in many governmental agencies to return tax dollars to their communities.
Grant money is basically funding for specific projects that does not have to be paid back. It sometimes requires the recipient to match a small percentage of the total project cost, generally 10% - 20%, but not always. There are a number of grants available which require no financial burden on the recipient at all. Of course, that's an ideal situation for cities like Guin in that we can fund large projects at no cost to the city. There are stipulations and requirements, though, that come along with any of these financial awards. The money granted has to be used for very specific items and cannot be redirected in any way. There are times when we would like to use grant money in areas not originally intended, but it's just not allowed. Financial awards have very specific uses and cannot be redirected in any way.
We've been blessed in Guin to have community leaders who have made the necessary connections to not only find and apply for large financial grants, but to continually bring our tax dollars back home through many large awards. Since 2003, Guin has pulled in over $3.2 million in grant money from a variety of governmental agencies, while providing matches of just over $600,000. Some of the projects funded include the water park splash pad, South Hill sewer project, sidewalk improvements, and our new senior/safe center. Just for the senior center, we received almost $900,000 in federal and state funding. Additionally, since 2000, Guin's received over $19.3 million in fully funded Alabama Department of Transportation projects. Those include our sidewalk, lighting, and landscaping projects, HWY 44 and HWY 118 widening and resurfacing projects, downtown Memorial Park, and several city street resurfacing projects. Guin also has several grant applications pending which could bring us another $861,000 in funding if approved.
So, as evidenced above, this grant process has allowed our city to make improvements we might not have made without it. The process does require a lot of due diligence for those involved, but can also require making the necessary connections with those who ultimately decide where the money goes. We've had a lot of success over the last several years in this arena and I can only hope we see the same success in the future. As with all issues, it's important for us to know how candidates stand on those particular issues and how they might handle those processes. With that knowledge, we can better determine who we want leading us in the next four years.
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5 comments:
I think we need to keep the man that had a BIG part in securing these grants, Mayor Seagraves!!
I agree, let us keep the man that is securing these grants, and remove the people that want to argue and present themselves as adolescents. I for one think Mr. Seagraves has done a great job. While some members of the city council want nothing more than to argue and complain about what is wrong with our city, yet they have not a single solution for any problem. Mr. Guin needs to move to Winfield so he does not burn up his gas taking his child to school in Winfield everyday. Everyone have a great day and we can grow Guin together.
Guin has gained a lot of positive exposure at different levels of both our state and federal governments in recent years contributing to the success we've had with the grant process. It's important we continue that momentum. Thank you for your comments.
Great blog, Bobby!
Guin now has a voice in regards to city council meetings, and other general topics of interest, that stem from community concern rather than a need to sell papers. I commend you for taking the time to set this blog up, it is greatly needed.
Regarding your topic on grant money -- "What it is, and How Guin Benefits" -- you have presented very useful bits of information to help the general public learn more about how grants work!
As the past president of the Northwest Alabama Arts Council, Inc. (serving Marion and four other counties), I know how confusing grants can be to those unfamiliar with the way they work.
Grants have restrictions and guidelines, but they are - as the citizens of Guin are aware (hopefully) - one of the best ways to support a project that benefits a community or an organization. There is time and effort involved in finding, writing, and submitting grants to consideration and Mayor Segraves, and the council, have done an outstanding job in both securing and implementing grant moneies toward the betterment of the city of Guin. Congratulations on that achievement.
The downtown areas beautification projects are amazing, and the implementation of the new mural, by local artist Missy Miles, will be another asset achieved under the leadership of Segraves. The fact that Guin is promoting art and a local artist is encouraging to those of us who are interested in our communities (in Marion County) presenting a more cultural face to the world and to recruiters who visit or pass through our county looking for a possible location for industry.
Best of luck in your election and keep blogging!
sphynx minx,
Thank you for the comment. I truly do love this community and want to see us succeed. I'm glad you find the information here helpful or interesting. I hope others do as well. I plan to continue using this outlet in much the same way through the next term. If elected, that is. :)
By the way, I'm very excited about the mural Ms. Miles is doing for us downtown. Her sketch looks great. It's going to be something unique and will really accent the beautification work we've already completed.
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