THE SHOALS-The Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area recently approved seven grant awards totaling almost $60,000 to help fund projects such as creek access for kayakers, an updated sound system for a theatre’s musical performances and landscape restoration at Native American sites.
“The MSNHA continues to work with local groups and organizations on projects that help economic development and tourism in our area,” said interim director Carrie Barske, “and support our mission of protecting and preserving cultural heritage in northwest Alabama.”
Grant awards were approved for a portrait of mezzo soprano Patti Malone for the Scout Music House, in Athens, submitted by the Athens Arts League; developing a city park with access to Big Nance Creek that will focus on outdoor recreation and Native American heritage, submitted by the Courtland Development Council; interpretive signage for RIVERWILD, an accessible playground, garden and splash pad in Delano Park, Decatur, submitted by the Delano Park Conservancy; local musical performances at First Fridays in the Shoals Gold Record Room, Florence, submitted by the Shoals Area Chamber Foundation Inc.; development and restoration of the Tuscumbia Landing Historic Site, submitted by Sacred Healing Circle; an updated sound system for the Shoals Theatre, Florence, submitted by Community Theatre Inc.; and an Americans with Disabilities Act-approved trolley for heritage tours, submitted by the city of Tuscumbia. Total awards were $57,131.99, with $123,118.01 submitted as match and overmatch.
The deadline for this round of applications was Sept. 15. MSNHA will accept applications for the next round of awards probably in the fall, Barske said.
Through a community grassroots effort, the MSNHA was designated by Congress in 2009 as part of a National Park Service program recognizing areas that help tell America’s story. The MSNHA spans the six Tennessee River basin counties of Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone and Morgan and focuses on the Tennessee River, music and Native American heritage.
For more information on MSNHA and its grants program, visit msnha.una.edu.
Media Release/Cathy Wood, media coordinator & grants administrator
Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area
