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| Renovate, rejuvenate, renew...a string
of projects in recent years has awakened a community spirit among elected
officials and local citizenry. The results are true to their motto,
Olde Towne***New Spirit! |
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| In 1997 the Town of Sturgis began addressing
substandard housing with a $700,000 demonstration project utilizing CDBG
and HOME funds. Implementation of this project constructed twelve
new homes and demolished areas of slum and blight. In 2000 Sturgis
received a Public Facilities Community Development Block Grant funded under
the Small Municipalities category, which widened and paved the Town's four
main arterial streets. The next undertaking included the addition
of a pavilion with restrooms for the Diane Jackson Memorial Park, once
again utilizing CDBG funds. The most recent project, and by far the
largest endeavor, is consolidating with the Craig Springs Water Association.
Over 850 residential customers were faced with the possibility of being
without water when the water association's #1 well began pumping sand.
Left with only one well and no backup supply, Craig Springs sought assistance
from the Town of Sturgis. The solution: raise Sturgis's elevated
water tank 60 feet, from 125 to 185 feet. This was an unusual project
in Mississippi, with only two other water associations having completed
such a complicated renovation. This $500,000 project was funded utilizing
a Community Development Block Grant and a Small Municipality Limited Population
County Grant through the Mississippi development Authority. |
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| Elected officials and local citizens have
also joined to participate in the ARC Flex-E-Grant program, "Mississippi
Rural Solution Project", Mississippi has opted to use its Flex-E-Grant
program to undertake a series of interventions to help its 14 distressed
ARC counties. The Town of Sturgis was the only municipality selected
by the Mississippi Appalachian meetings, under the leadership of the project
consultant, Dr. Jack Russell, has led to the development of a "Vision to
Action Plan". Sturgis will strive to achieve its "Vision" by addressing
the issues and goals of education; business and economic development; marketing
and selling; downtown revitalization and cultural heritage. |
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| If all of these accomplishments are not
enough for this municipality of just 202 people, the 8th annual "Sturgis
South" Motorcycle Rally will be held August 20-21,2004. This weekend
event, which has grown to over 30,000 visitors, has an economic impact
of $1.5 million for the area. More information can be obtained by
visiting www.sturgismsrally.com |
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