Murphy – The town is receiving $665,000 from the state’s Rural Transformation Grant Program to recreate the four pocket parks into a viable downtown square.
The award was announced by the N.C. Department of Commerce on Thursday, with Murphy being one of 42 local government units selected for an award. Downtown Director Laura Lachance, assisted by Mayor Tim Radford and Town Manager Chad Simons, led the town’s application efforts to the state.
“More support for North Carolina’s rural communities is on the way with these transformative grants, made possible by President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan,” said Gov. Roy Cooper, who announced grants totaling $19.76 million statewide.
“These funds, backed up by the expertise of our rural development team at the Department of Commerce, will bring more economic opportunity to people across the state.”
The plan calls for a brick-paver design to be installed at all four pocket park corners, with down-lights and other enhancement features – including a small stage in the eastern open space of the town square. The stage will provide a venue for small concerts, films, civic events, and other activities.
“We are very excited about what this means for downtown Murphy, and what it will do to make our town more inviting and pedestrian friendly,” Radford said. “It’s only going to add even more great things to an already vibrant downtown area.”
Murphy became a Main Street community in July, and this latest announcement is another example of the town’s Main Street status paying tangible dividends.
“The improvements we will make with this grant are a huge step in making downtown Murphy a more inviting place for residents and visitors,” Lachance said. “The future investments made possible by this grant will help downtown Murphy sustain and build upon an already great downtown economic environment.
“I also really want to thank Allison Platt of Regeneration by Design, who helped our team make our vision into a solid plan that won over commerce officials.”
More than 60 local government units applied for funding through the latest Rural Transformation Grant Application round, with 21 receiving an award. Murphy will begin the planning process to carry out the project early next year.
“Following the best practices that we know work well, these economic development grants will bring new vitality to many rural communities,” said Kenny Flowers, the Commerce Department’s assistant secretary for Rural Economic Development. “I look forward to working with these communities as we work to transform the economy in rural North Carolina.”
For details on the Rural Transformation Grant Fund, visit nccommerce.com/transform.