11 groups awarded $202,000 in grants
The Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion Commission has awarded $202,000 to 11 organizations for upcoming events and programs in 2020.
Sixteen applications were received for the 2020 funding cycle. Nine of the organizations made five-minute pitches to commission members in October, and the grant recipients were voted on by the panel in November.
The following organizations received funding:
• Arkansas Railroad Museum.
• Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas.
• Black Pilots of America.
• Delta Rhythm & Bayous Alliance.
• Gloves Not Guns.
• Go Forward Pine Bluff.
• Merrill High -- All School Reunion.
• REFORM Inc.
• South Arkansas Livestock Association.
• Taylor Field.
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff -- Alumni Homecoming Golf Tournament.
Applicants that were not funded will automatically be reconsidered if additional funding becomes available in 2020.
The commission provides funding for the convention facilities maintained and operated by the Pine Bluff Civic Auditorium Complex Commission, and for the purpose of advertising and promoting events and organizational programming that fit within the commission's mission of promoting and enhancing Pine Bluff for conventions and tourism.
The commission also recently approved $1,120,250 in funding for the Pine Bluff Convention Center in 2020.
Election panel told of fix for mold issue
The Jefferson County Election Commission last week took up the issue of mold and moisture contamination in the Election Commission office once again.
Although commissioners had been attempting to relocate to another county facility, it was learned that contamination in the current office at 108 S. Main St. in Pine Bluff was not as serious as initially feared.
Commissioner Stuart Soffer reported that a thorough shampooing of the carpets and other mold remediation efforts along with efforts to eliminate water leakage into the building would render the office safe for people to continue working.
Area school chiefs to lead King parade
Superintendents of Pine Bluff school districts have been selected to serve as the 37th annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade grand marshals. The superintendents are Barbara Warren (Dollarway), Jerry Guess (Watson Chapel) and Jeremy Owoh (Pine Bluff). The Original KingFest Parade/March (Marade) honors the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and is scheduled for Jan. 20th in Pine Bluff. The parade's theme for 2020 is "Let's Talk About Our Dream: Writing A New History."
Parade participants are asked to develop and display messages on floats, cars, church buses, banners and signs related to the theme. Awards, sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., will be given to the group having the most provocative banner, poster or float using the parade/marade theme. Churches, social and civic organizations, youth groups, neighborhood watch groups, sororities, fraternities, school bands, businesses and elected officials are invited to join the parade/marade.
A youth-led educational program will be held in the Pine Bluff Convention Center after the King parade/marade. The deadline for parade applications is Jan. 16. Applications can be filled out Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to noon at the Pine Bluff Interested Citizens for Voter Registration office at 211 W. Third Ave., Suite 109.
Also, upon request, applications can be obtained by calling Mary Liddell at (870) 643-2383, Pelida Norris (870) 692-8579 or emailing pbicvr@aol.com. Information on volunteering or other details can be obtained by calling (870) 730-1131 or visiting www.pbicvrpenorpencil.com.
State Desk on 12/16/2019