Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) sidewalk project in the Galloway Park section of Brundidge is now complete and making a difference the neighborhoods it serves.

Willie Wright, Brundidge assistant city manager, said, not only do the sidewalks provide an avenue of safety for pedestrians, they also have given a facelift to that area of the city.

“I’ve heard pastors of churches in that area say how nice the sidewalks look and that they have improved access to their churches,” Wright said.

The city’s match for the $385,043 TAP grant was $96,260.

And the sidewalks were worth the city’s investment in the match money, said the Rev. Carl Hollis, pastor of County Line Baptist Church.

“The sidewalks were needed and the money was well spent,” Hollis said. “The sidewalks are greatly appreciated by our church members and all the people they serve, I’m sure.”

Hollis said the sidewalks provide safe pedestrian travel in the Galloway Road area.

“A lot of residents in this area walk to the grocery store and to the downtown area,” he said. “Many people walk for exercise, go to church and to visit around their neighborhoods. Before, they had to walk in the road and that’s not safe. The sidewalks provide a safe place to walk and that is a real benefit now and in years to come.”

The sidewalks are one of the positive steps that are being taken in downtown Brundidge recently.

Wright said the renovation of the former Haisten Hardware for use as an incubator business is taking shape.

The renovation project is being funded by a USDA Rural Development Grant in the amount of $100,000. The city’s match is $10,000, which is another good dollar deal for the city, Wright said.

“The building will be available to those who are interested in starting a business on a small scale,” he said.

Hopes are that once those businesses get off the ground, they will be relocated on solid ground in the city’s Main Street area.

Wright said the growth of the city is most important and, although growth is often slow, the activity on Main Street is encouraging.

“Brundidge has what we need to be prosperous and to grow,” he said. “As business grows, we will look at doing more to advertise what we have and the potential for future growth in downtown Brundidge.”