Hope seeking state grant to fund Town Square improvements

The town of Hope is moving forward with a grant request for a project to beautify and brighten the town square. The Town Council this week approved a request from the non profit Main Street of Hope organization to apply for up to $600,000 in state funds for the project.

The project, if approved for funding by the state Office of Community and Rural Affairs would have two major components — replacing more than 40 aging and dim street lights in and around the square, and upgrading the sidewalks and trails through the small park to make them accessible under ADA standards.

Susan Thayer-Fye, director of the Main Street group explains.

Thayer-Fye, director of the Main Street group explains that the grant will require a 20 percent local match. That include actual cash and in-kind donations, such as the architect’s fees for the landscaping.

The grant deadline is June and all the matching funds need to be accounted for by then.

Thayer-Fye said that the street lights in and around the square are aging, dim and inefficient. The council chose to go with a private supplier, rather than Duke Energy, and the new lights will match the town’s historic square

The deadline to apply for the grant is late June.