Reviewed by: Elizabeth Hobbs
Athens’ grant from Gov. Ivey will support new shopping center
Reading time: 2 minutes
Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $400,000 grant to help bring new commerce and jobs to the city of Athens while also enhancing traffic safety at a major intersection in the area.
Here’s more:
Governor awards Athens a Community Development Block Grant
The $400,000 comes from a Community Development Block Grant, which will provide improvements at the intersection of U.S. Highway 72 and Mooresville Road. This is adjacent to a planned 59,900-square-foot shopping center that is expected to create 100 jobs in the area.
The development, French Mill Crossing, will be built on a 12-acre site southeast of the Mooresville Road and U.S. Highway 72 intersection, near the Doomsday Paintball Park and Par 72 Driving Range.
It will include:
- Publix grocery store
- A bank
- A convenience store/fueling station
- A fast-food restaurant
- Other retail outlets
Road improvements
The road improvements in Athens will include widening and adding two turning lanes on Mooresville Road for better access to the shopping center. Additionally, a deceleration lane and entry route to the development will be built on U.S. Highway 72.
“Like much of North Alabama, the city of Athens and Limestone County are experiencing tremendous growth. While growth offers great opportunities for residents, city leaders recognize the importance of managing it wisely. I am pleased to support this road project, which will help ensure traffic flows smoothly through this busy intersection.”
Gov. Kay Ivey
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said the development of French Mill Crossing will likely lead to other commercial developments nearby, necessitating these road improvements.
The city has pledged an additional $618,192 in local funding toward the project.
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