The City of Atmore is one of 16 cities that received a creative placemaking investment grant from the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), according to a news release.

In partnership with leading national arts and government organizations, the DRA is investing $309,000 in the delta’s arts and cultural sectors to stimulate economic and community development efforts across the Mississippi River Delta region and Alabama Black Belt. The DRA made the announcement today.

The City of Atmore, in partnership with the Pride of Atmore, received an investment of $15,000 from the DRA. The investment will be used to develop and implement a master plan for The Strand Theatre revitalization project to achieve financial stability, develop new programming and encourage community engagement, according to the release.

DRA is providing seed investments for 16 projects, alongside public and private sector partners bringing nearly $1.6 million in total investment to the eight states.

Since February, DRA has partnered with leading national arts and government organizations to ensure the success and long-term sustainability of its creative placemaking initiative by providing Delta communities with access to subject matter experts and additional resources. Partners include: The Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI), Art of the Rural, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Association of Counties (NACo), the National Association of Development Organizations, McClure Engineering Company, Springboard for the Arts, ArtPlace America, the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, and the Smithsonian Institution, among others.

“The Delta Regional Authority is setting a national standard with its all-hands-on-deck approach to community development,” said Jamie Bennett, Executive Director of ArtPlace America. “Through the Delta Creative Placemaking Initiative, public funding, private investment, local government, the arts and cultural sectors, business owners, entrepreneurs and other civic leaders are coming together to develop and enact their shared visions for equitable and prosperous futures across the Mississippi Delta Region and Alabama Black Belt. We are eager to learn from these projects and share their successes as part of the national conversation.”