From a facelift for the Town Hall to sidewalk repair and replacement, Badin is sprucing up its commercial district. Trees will line the street  making the Falls Road entrance to the town an inviting place for residents and tourists alike.

An economic development  grant of $250,000 from the Alcoa Foundation, administered by the North Carolina Rural Development Center grant administrator Art Jackson, has enabled Badin to make these much-needed improvements.

“Everything is taking place within the business district,” says Town Manager Jay Almond. “We would have been unable to do this without the grant.”

Part of the grant enables  private businesses to enhance or restore their facades with a matching grant of $5,000.

Over a decade ago residents began attending meetings to discuss improving Badin. Many ideas were put forward by the then Yadkin/Pee Dee Lakes Project, but progress stalled through lack of funding.  Badin made the decision to work with the Small Town Main Street Program, a Division of Community Assistance under the auspices of the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Residents and town officials met on a monthly basis for two years under the guidance of staff members.

In 2009, at a community  ‘Charrette’ or wrap-up session, local and county officials, Stanly County Chamber of Commerce officials and local residents solidified the project.

Work began in January 2010 on the Town Hall should be completed before spring.

“So that Badin residents can be proud—brag a little,” says Almond.