Design Alabama study suggests more public spaces, connectivity for Foley
FOLEY – Attainable housing, improved public places and connectivity between areas of the city are some ways to prepare Foley for the future, a new report says. Design Alabama has completed a study examining Foley’s needs and ways to meet upcoming challenges, Gina Cliffod, executive director of Design Alabama, said. Foley was one of the Alabama cities selected for the group’s Design Place program. “Design Place is a process where we bring in a team of designers focused on your community and some of the needs that we saw in terms of planning [...]
Foley Main Street receives national recognition
FOLEY– Foley Main Street has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of accredited programs. The list recognizes the programs’ exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach. Foley Main Street plays a key role in shaping downtown Foley's growth and development. The organization takes part in implementing the Envision Plan and, by securing acceptance into the Community Growth Accelerator program, which defined economic impacts of key downtown properties. [...]
Foley Sister Cities Announces Oktoberfest 5k Run at OWA
FOLEY – Foley Sister Cities Commission will host its inaugural Foley Sisters Cities, 5K Octoberfest Run at OWA on Saturday, October 7. Proudly sponsored by Ascend Performance Materials, Riviera Utilities, Riverview Turf, and WAS Design, this 5K race will begin on OWA’s Island at 8:00 am followed by a 1-mile fun run. We want to encourage runners to come dressed in your German Oktoberfest costumes (dreidels and lederhosen)! Awards given for the best customs. Participants will receive an official event t-shirt and access to real time results. Medals will be available for the [...]
Registration open for student entrepreneur program
FOLEY – Students wanting an early start in the business world have until July 31 to register for a new entrepreneurship program for the upcoming academic year. The Entrepreneur Program Impacting Community, or EPIC, is a partnership between the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, Coastal Alabama Business Chamber and Coastal Alabama Community College. “EPIC is a year-long, interactive and educational program that will teach students the fundamentals of starting a business, offer networking opportunities and grant resources to help fund student startups,” Kylee Raulerson, executive director of the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation told [...]
Foley building new Kids Park fence
FOLEY – The final phases of work at the new Sara Thompson Kids Park began Monday. Work started on a new fence that will replace the temporary barrier in place while the park was under construction and since the facility opened on May 27. Jeff Lee, parks director, said officials also plan to replace the pavilion that was removed during the demolition of the original park. “They actually expect the materials to come in early sometime this week and they want to start on it on the fence the first of next week [...]
Foley beginning $1.2-million airport expansion
FOLEY – A $1.2-million project will improve the taxiway and add more needed hangar space at the Foley Municipal Airport. The Foley City Council voted to approve the bid of S.C. Stagner Contracting to build the taxi lane and an eight-unit T-hangar at the airport. The company’s bid was almost $1.2 million. The council also voted to accept $531,000 in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration and Alabama Department of Transportation to pay some of the cost of the project. The remaining costs will be paid out over the next three years and [...]
Foley starting work on new Public Works facility
FOLEY – The next phase in creating a new facility for the Foley Public Works Department is moving ahead following action by the City Council. The council voted Monday, July 17, to approve the bid for the first portion of the new facility to be constructed at the intersection of Poplar Street and Section Avenue. Ammons and Blackmon Construction submitted the lowest of three bids with a proposal of about $3.65 million. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the current Public Works facilities are too small for current needs. He said the new campus will [...]
Alabama’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday
Alabama’s 18th annual sales tax holiday for school-related items begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 21, 2023, and ends at midnight Sunday, July 23, 2023. Shoppers have the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers, books, and clothing free of the state’s 4% sales or use tax.
Foley hurricane repair assistance grant office opens
FOLEY – Homeowners in Foley and throughout Alabama whose residences were damaged by Hurricane Sally or Hurricane Zeta in 2020 can now apply for grant money to help pay the cost of repairing any remaining damage. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the Home Recovery Alabama Program. The program provides money to help property owners repair, reconstruct or replace single-family homes that were damaged by one or both storms. Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provide the money for [...]
Beulah Heights drainage meeting Thursday
FOLEY – Beulah Heights residents will have a chance to discuss city plans for drainage and other issues at a public meeting Thursday. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers at Foley City Hall. Leslie Gahagan, city environmental director, said the meeting will allow residents and Foley officials to go over plans for issues such as drainage and sewage disposal in the community. “We’re going to be having a public information meeting on the stormwater drainage systems,” Gahagan said. “We’re looking for both feedback and then we’ll also [...]