State Sen. Corey Simon and State Rep. Gallop Franklin visited Gadsden County last week to deliver a $77 million check.
The money will be used to fund several legislative projects throughout the county.
“I am extremely happy that we were able to secure all the funding dollars that we did for Gadsden County,” Simon said. “Gadsden, like so many of the other counties in District Three, have not received enough funding for a long while and I am so glad that we were able to start changing that. This funding will help the good people of Gadsden County by providing dollars for infrastructure, families, public safety and security, and for educational projects.
Sheriff Morris Young, Superintendent of Schools Elijah Keys, Boys and Girls Club leadership, Gadsden Arts Center leadership, municipal leadership, councilman and commissioners from Chattahoochee, Greensboro, Gretna, Havana, Midway, and Quincy were present for the check presentation, along with many county officials and community stakeholders.
“Investing in our community’s future is not merely a gesture of goodwill but a promise of progress,” Rep. Gallop Franklin said. “This funding reaffirms our commitment to fostering growth and prosperity in Gadsden County. This financial infusion will fuel vital projects, improve infrastructure, and uplift local initiatives, amplifying the very heartbeat of our beloved community. Together, hand in hand, we stand poised to build a brighter, more promising tomorrow for every citizen, ensuring that no dream is too ambitious and no aspiration too distant. Guiding us towards an era of unparalleled achievement and unyielding hope for future generations.»
During the check presentation, Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Kimblin NeSmith said that there are many good things to talk about this legislative session and that Gadsden County did very well this year.
The state budget allocated more than $ 77 million to Gadsden County projects, including:
• $3.6 million – Gadsden County Boys and Girls Club Facility
• $250,000 – Town of Havana Electric Substation Repairs
• $57,971 – Gadsden Arts, Inc.
• $26,593 – Havana History & Heritage Society, Inc.
• $25,000 – 2024 Quincy Porchfest
• $25,000 – Havana Main Street, Inc. – Arts on Main Street 2023
• $25,000 – The Quincy Music Theatre, Inc. – Production Season Assistance
• $700,000 – AMlkids Prevention Programs – Leon and Gadsden
• $2.4 million – School Readiness Services
• $823,863 – Voluntary Prekindergarten Program
• $35 million – Special Facilities Construction Account – PreK-8 New School
• $3.3 million – Gadsden County EOC and Public Safety Complex Phase II
• $250,000 – Chattahoochee Fire Department Safety Upgrades
• $375,000 – State Arson Laboratory – Building Repair and Maintenance
• $50,000 – Robertsville Park Improvement
• $50,000 – Chattahoochee River Landing Park Geophysical Research
• $25,200 – Havana History & Heritage Society, Inc. Planters Exchange Historic Site Restoration Planning
• $350,000 – Midway Volunteer Fire Department Enhancement
• $35,000 – Chattahoochee Police Station Communications Upgrades
• $100,000 – Gadsden Correctional Facility
• $100,000 – Gadsden Adults with Disabilities Program
• $4.9 million – Bridge Construction
• $1,508,833 – Intrastate Highway Construction
• $1,700,000 – Preliminary Engineering Consultants
• $10,000,000 – Public Transit Development/Grants
• $5,846,888 – Small County Outreach Program (SCOP)
• $3 million – Midway Septic to Sewer
• $623,374 – Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE) Fund
• $429,453 – Public Schools Workforce Education Program Funds
Erin Hill – Gadsden County News Service