There is something exciting in the air.

Can you feel it?

The Pride of Atmore and the city of Atmore are coming together to help revitalize downtown.

Some time back, organizers with the local non-profit attended a conference, where they were inspired to bring about a new face to Atmore.

From there, a small group of people got to work and already their work is producing.

In October, the city was one of 16 cities that received a creative placemaking investment grant from the Delta Regional Authority. 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 city, in partnership with 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 Advance archives.

Since February, the 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.

One of the partners of the DRA is a central focus point for the revitalization project for Atmore.

For some time, the small group of volunteers has been busy raising the needed funds to bring along somebody to help consult and get the project in a direction.

Soon, there will be meetings where the exciting things coming to Atmore will be said.

This is exciting isn’t it?