This project will assist students with academic continuation of class subjects and introduction to fall class preparation. Laptops, accessories and supplies was
purchased updating technology access for online use
2021
Choctaw County Elementary Library Improvements
This project will improve the appearance of the Choctaw County Elementary School’s Library by making it more suitable for collaborative learning. The new furniture will give the students the flexibility to work comfortably in groups with other students. The new collaborative activity tables are suitable for a more modern appeal in the library space. The primary colors add a vibrancy to the library that is surely to attract the young minds and make them eager to learn and read books. The library improvements will hopefully make the library the most visited and sought after place within the school.
COVID 19 Recovery Technology
Like any small business, when COVID-19 pandemic hit, it affected the day to day operation of the Chamber of Commerce. It had been over 5 years since we upgraded our software and computers. We were unaware of ZOOM and realized that we could not participate virtually as we did not have cameras or microphones.
By receiving funds from ALA-TOM RC&D Council we are now able to successfully operate day to day, participate virtually, connect, inform, advocate, and promote, our community working selflessly to improve the quality of life throughout Selma and Dallas County.
Regional Familiarization (FAM) Tour of the Blackbelt
*Due to the ongoing Covid-19 travel restrictions for most of the time period of this grant, approval was given by Ala-Tom RC&D’s Executive Director Marie Lowder to refocus the grant in Spring of 2021. The new focus was around The Alabama Mural Trail development, a perfect fit for social distancing and instate road trips.*
The goal of the Alabama Mural Trail is to provide the state of Alabama a sense of community, to drive economic impact, and to bring people together. By inventorying and promoting murals statewide, UACED hopes to encourage both locals and tourists to find some place new and discover the beautiful art Alabama has to offer.
Placemaking through murals is a key aspect to the Alabama Mural Trail. Placemaking is a multi-faceted approach to the planning, design and management of public spaces. Placemaking capitalizes on a local community’s assets, inspiration, and potential, with the intention of creating public spaces that promote people’s health, happiness, and well-being.
With this new focus the grant supported the following:
- Photography of 41 murals in the Ala-Tom Region by a professional and published photographer – John Dersham, of murals in the Ala-Tom RC&D Region for The Alabama Mural Trail – #SweetHomeMurals
- GPS location marked for future app and website use for tourist to visit the location and mark as a passport type entry
- Trail markers designed, produced and placed on the murals
- Public Art Archives Showcase Listing of the Murals and Mapping Collection for world wide marketing and access
- Mural Trail website landing page with feature of the murals in the Ala-Tom region
- 10,000 Mural Trail Rack Cards designed, printed and distributed throughout the state including all the counties in the Ala-Tom Region
Thomasville Alabama Community Garden Improvements
The goal of the project is to improve the community garden by adding flowering bushes in the wall of the garden, replacing the pump in the fountain in the center of the garden, and by adding outdoor art to improve the looks of the garden. By making these improvements more people will be attracted to the garden and maybe get involved in volunteering and working together with others in the community to provide vegetables for anyone who may need them.