City pursuing park grant

By Staff
Leada DeVaney, Hartselle Enquirer
The city is pursuing another grant that would be used to purchase an additional 20 acres adjacent to Sparkman Park.
The grant application comes on the heels of a separate $75,000 grant that was used to purchase 19 acres adjacent to the park. Both grants are through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs' Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The latest request is for $82,250. The city would be required to put up the same amount for its local match.
The city put up $12,500 from the general fund to help with the $75,000 grant and to cover the $162,500 purchase price. Under the terms of both grants, the land will have to be used for recreational purposes.
The city submitted the new application on Dec. 1.
But recreation needs aren't the only thing the only thing for which the city is seeking grant money.
Hartselle is also seeking money for airport improvements through the Alabama Department of Transportation. The city has applied for a $150,000 grant for Hartselle's Rountree Field.
The money will be used to purchase land the city is currently leasing north of the runway flight path.
The city would be required to put up a $15,000 local match, but would be eligible to receive 50 percent of that back from the Aeronautics Division of ALDOT.