QC
FEATURE
AWARDS
2021 City Catalyst Grant Winners
City of Atlantic Beach.
Partnership program supports projects that strengthen our communities by Scott Dudley Florida League of Mayors and Beth Rawlins Business Watch
T
he Florida League of Mayors partners with Business Watch each year on the City Catalyst Grant program to support projects that foster a sense of community and enhance the lives of city residents. The projects are often in partnership with local organizations, making the dollars and impacts go even further. Applications are judged by current Business Watch members and former Mayors. They always comment on how exciting it is to see each city creating specialized opportunities for their community needs. The winning projects are scheduled to be completed no later than this winter, so their citizens will have great opportunities in the cooler weather. The Florida League of Mayors and Business Watch announced the 2021 City Catalyst Grant winners and their projects at the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference in Orlando August 12-14. ▸ The City of Atlantic Beach is partnering with Beaches Kiwanis to improve accessibility for the disabled in their parks, beginning with Jordan Park in the heart of their community. Atlantic Beach will build a colorful music garden bed including flowers, butterflies and a tenor tree with sounds coming from petals, wings and leaves. The design allows the hard of hearing to feel the vibrations. The garden is being installed on concrete pads along a concrete path to ensure easy physical accessibility and will also include accessible picnic benches. Of course, those without disabilities will also be able to use the space and share the creation of music. ▸ The Town of Jay is transforming an old State of Florida Livestock Market into the Marketplace on Commerce Street. Before the pandemic, structural and aesthetic repairs had been made. (For more information, see previous city spotlight article at bit.ly/jayspotlight.) The grant and continued support from the Town will add lighting and speakers, improve handicap access, upgrade washrooms and refresh landscaping. These updates will allow the marketplace to be a destination for outdoor group events such as reunions and church events and improve the farmer’s market atmosphere for all attendees. 42 QUALITY CITIES | FOURTH QUARTER 2021
City of St. Cloud.
City of Waldo.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BONNIE GAUPP
