The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina has awarded nine WNC Community Enhancement grants totaling $82,117 to support charitable organizations and eligible public agencies engaged in projects in downtowns or commercial corridors that enhance appearance, infrastructure or the pedestrian experience.
Three of those grants are coming to Cherokee County, according to a release. They are:
- $2,117 to the Town of Andrews to upgrade two electrical poles to the required 30 and 50 amp service so that the food trucks supporting town events do not need generators, which produce noise levels that diminish attendees’ enjoyment of the events. Town festivals are important to the Andrews economy, and the Town wants to make it convenient for food trucks to plug into its power supply.
- $10,000 to the Town of Murphy to complete a 15- by 40-foot mural on the side wall of the building at 13 Tennessee St. downtown, facing the square. This public space is set to be reconstructed in 2024 using a Rural Transformation Grant the town received from the N.C. Department of Commerce.
The mural will enhance the aesthetic appeal and increase the economic activity of local businesses by attracting more visitors to downtown Murphy. The mural will celebrate local history and culture, portraying residents who have played pivotal roles in shaping the community. The initiative seeks to foster a sense of pride, identity and community engagement while showcasing the rich heritage of Murphy.
- $10,000 to Western Carolina Pacesetters to enhance the appearance and efficiency of two storefronts in the building the organization has acquired in downtown Murphy. Pacesetters purchased the building as a strategic investment to generate a sustainable source of funding for Pacesetters’ life-skill, interpersonal development and community outreach programs that serve the five western-most counties of North Carolina.
By addressing the unsightly and dated appearance of small cracks and fogging of the storefront windows, the project will enhance the visual appeal of the downtown area, while at the same time improving the energy efficiency of Pacesetters’ new building.
“The Town of Murphy received an N.C. Rural Transformation Grant to recreate the four pocket parks into a viable downtown square,” said Laura Lachance, downtown development director in Murphy. “The improvements we will make with this funding and the WNC Community Enhancement grant will make downtown Murphy more inviting and pedestrian-friendly for residents and visitors.”