CELINA-Resources to help improve the look of the town here are on the way, according to a recent announcement from the Clay County Chamber of Commerce.

“Celina has once again been recognized for its commitment to community growth and revitalization,” the local chamber announced on their Facebook page last week.  “The city has been awarded a $100,000 grant to enhance the appearance of its downtown area—a significant achievement considering the tough statewide competition for these funds.”

Chamber director Doug Young, who worked on the grant, commented on the good news.

“Going against very tough competition, we landed a $100,000 grant to improve the appearance of our downtown area,” Young said.  “Even though we did not receive all we asked for, we did receive all we qualified for on this round of grants.

“We will continue to be on the lookout for future grants that will reach the areas that are not covered in this one.”

The project will be chaired by Celina Vice Mayor Mike Boles and administered by Morgan White, Tourism Recovery Coordinator with the Upper Cumberland Development District (UCDD).

The Clay County Chamber of Commerce will continue to provide support services throughout the project.

Once the contract is finalized by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), a public meeting will be scheduled to share additional details and answer questions about the project.

Young noted that this is the fourth downtown grant Clay County has received, and while this round comes with new guidelines and requirements, the goal remains the same—to improve the look and feel of downtown Celina for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.

“Together, we can make a difference,” Young said.

See a future HORIZON for more about the grant, including information about the public meeting when details are finalized.