TUSCUMBIA – The City of Tuscumbia will host a press conference on Friday, December21, 2018 at 1 pm to announce its purchase of a new ADA-compliant trolley, which will be used primarily to promote tourism in the area. The press conference took place at Tuscumbia City Hall. Sen. Larry Stutts of Tuscumbia secured a $15,000 Community Development grant through Northwest Alabama RC&D to help fund the project.
The City purchased the made-to-order trolley for $155,045 from Hometown Trolley Company in Wisconsin, the only female-owned trolley manufacturer in the United States. The trolley has a wheelchair lift and is ADA-compliant. This is the first handicap-accessible trolley in the Shoals area. It is believed to be the first handicap-accessible trolley in the State of Alabama.
The new trolley will replace an aging trolley donated to the City decades ago and in need of constant repair. The trolley will be used primarily for tours; it can also be rented by private individuals or groups.
The City raised half the funds through grants, corporate and private donations. The City provided the match.
Mayor Underwood commended those responsible for raising the required funds and the council for agreeing to the match money to complete the purchase. “The city of Tuscumbia is known for our history. Because of Helen Keller, people from all over the world want to come see the city where the miracle took place. This trolley, being ADA compliant and historic in appearance, is more than fitting and accommodates our tourism industry and those who want to visit here. We are thankful for everyone who contributed to this great cause.”
Top donors for the project include Sen. Larry Stutts and Northwest Alabama RC&D, the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, which provided $10,000 in grant funding, Junior League of the Shoals, donating $6,500, and Rep. Marcel Black and Rep. Jonny Mack Morrow, who each secured $4,000 in community development funding for the project.
“I am honored to work with the city of Tuscumbia and all of the other donors to make this project a reality,” Sen. Larry Stutts said. “This is your tax money being brought home and put to a use that will serve the citizens of Tuscumbia and our visitors for years to come.”
ListerHill Credit Union and Southeastern Ford Dealers both contributed $2,500 toward the project. TVA Credit Union donated $2,000.
Bank Independent, Tuscumbia Kiwanis Club, Tuscumbia Civitan Club, Colbert County Historical Landmarks Foundation, Singing River Dentistry, First Metro Bank, and Helen Keller Hospital each donated $1,000 to the trolley project.
Other donors include Martin Supply, Create Architects, Dr. Lorie Johnson, David Reed/State Farm Insurance, Colbert County Tourism and the Campaign to Elect Andrew Sorrell.
Photos:Steve Wiggins and Dennis Sherer
Media Release/Mayor Kerry Underwood/Tuscumbia
