MONTGOMERY— 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.
The Community Development Block Grant will provide improvements at the intersection of U.S. Highway 72 and Mooresville Road which will be adjacent to a planned 59,900-square-foot shopping center. Once completed, the development is expected to create 100 jobs in the area.
“Like much of north Alabama, the city of Athens and Limestone County are experiencing tremendous growth,” Gov. Ivey said. “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.”
The development, French Mill Crossing, will be built on a 12-acre site southeast of the Mooresville Road and U.S. Highway 72 intersection. It will include a Publix grocery store, a bank, a convenience store/fueling station, a fast-food restaurant and other retail outlets.
The road improvements 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 development will be built on U.S. Highway 72.
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.
“The construction of this shopping center will likely lead to other commercial development nearby properties necessitating the need for these road improvements,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins with Gov. Ivey in commending the city on their growth and preparations made to maintain to orderly maintain that growth.”
Gov. Ivey notified Mayor William R. “Ronnie” Marks that the grant had been approved. The city has pledged $618,192 in local funding toward the project.
ADECA administers a wide range of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
-30-
