The City of Gastonia has received a $10,000 grant from ElectriCities of North Carolina to help make downtown more welcoming through public art, streetscape improvements, and community gathering spaces.
The grant will fund the first phase of a downtown activation project that builds on recent public and private investment. Planned improvements include murals, interactive sidewalk art, decorative planters, and branded banners that will add color, create a stronger sense of place, and encourage people to spend more time downtown.
"This grant gives us an opportunity to build on the momentum we've already created downtown," said Kristy Crisp, Director of Economic Development. "Small improvements like public art and coordinated streetscape features can make a big difference in how people experience downtown. Our goal is to create a place where people want to visit, shop, dine, and invest."
The project is designed to grow over time, with this first phase laying the groundwork for future improvements as additional funding becomes available.
"Projects like this help create spaces that people are proud of," said Juliann Lehman, Keep Gastonia Beautiful Administrator. "Public art, planters, and other beautification efforts make downtown more inviting while highlighting Gastonia's unique character and history. We're excited to help bring these improvements to life."
The City expects to begin installing the first improvements within the next month.
Gastonia is part of ElectriCities of North Carolina, which is the membership organization that provides power supply and related critical services to over 90 community-owned electric systems in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia collectively known as public power.
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Gastonia, N.C., just minutes west of Charlotte, is one of the area’s best places to live and work with an ideal combination of location, size and livability. Gastonia is the largest of Gaston County’s 13 municipalities and one of the largest cities in the Charlotte metropolitan area. Selected as an All-America City three times, Gastonia’s desirable quality of life is the result of its beautiful natural surroundings, friendly neighborhoods, responsive government and vibrant business environment.