Altavista receives $1 million grant for downtown improvements

The Town of Altavista has been selected to receive a $1 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to renovate downtown storefronts and improve downtown streets.
In a letter to Mayor Rudy Burgess, Virginia’s DHCD Director Bill Shelton informed the Town that the application was one of 22 projects statewide selected for funding.
Working with Altavista on Track (Altavista’s downtown revitalization organization) and the Region 2000 Local Government Council, the project will provide incentive monies to help business owners renovate downtown storefronts.  The funding will also be used to make repairs and improvements to downtown streets and sidewalks, develop upper-story housing, and help continue downtown marketing efforts.
“This is an important announcement for our downtown businesses,” said Mayor Rudy Burgess.  “This grant will become seed money to leverage public and private investment in our downtown. Together with the VDOT Enhancement Grant Funds, the community will see important transformations in our downtown.”
The Town Council and Altavista on Track have worked for three years to successfully secure this grant money.
“There are many people to thank for their hard work in making this grant application successful,” said Town Manager Waverly Coggsdale.  “Altavista on Track representatives served on a number of important committees, downtown business owners made real commitments to participate in the process, and the Chamber of Commerce provided leadership and encouragement through the application process.  The community can be proud of the town-wide teamwork that has resulted in this $1 million grant.”