ADECA Director and Staff Visit Mentone

Economic development team tours project sites to discuss potential grants

Director Kenneth Boswell had heard so much about the good things happening in Mentone that he had to come see for himself.

The head of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Boswell, along with key members of his staff, visited Mentone in early October to tour the historic Moon Lake campus. This came on the heels of a meeting in Montgomery a few weeks prior, where Mayor Rob Hammond discussed the town’s need for support to continue renovations at the school.

“He was impressed with what he saw,” says Hammond. “It’s one thing to hear me talk about it sitting in his office, but walking around campus and seeing what we have already accomplished made a real impact.”

L to R: Leslie Wright, TARCOG economic development coordinator; Lee Terry, TARCOG director of economic development and planning; Ashley Toole, ADECA deputy director; Kenneth Boswell, ADECA director; Rob Hammond, Mentone mayor; Crystal Talley, ADECA division chief; and Kristen Emory, Mentone town clerk.

The town has applied for a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to upgrade electricity, plumbing, bathroom accessibility, and other important infrastructure across the campus. The county school board deeded the campus to the town when it ceased classes there at the close of the 2020-21 school year. The property has since been converted into spaces for artists, retailers, and galleries. Northeast Alabama Community College holds classes there, and a new restaurant is opening soon in the former lunchroom.

ADECA coordinates ARC grants as part of its mission to “improve and strengthen communities and the quality of life in Alabama through a wide range of diverse and comprehensive programs involving economic development, infrastructure, law enforcement, education, energy conservation and technology upgrades, and responsible management of water resources.”

The town is being assisted with the grant application by the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments. Two TARCOG representatives also participated in last month’s site visit.

While on campus, Boswell and his team toured the gym. Hammond shared discussions underway about the possibility of partnering with Northeast Alabama Community College to transform the building into a performing arts center.

Following lunch at Elevation Bistro, Hammond took the group to Brow Park, where they discussed potential improvement projects, such as an observation deck, a hiking trail, and restrooms. The town plans to apply for grant funding for these projects as well.