Redevelopment, preservation & marketing are the focus of 3 grants awarded in rural Arizona communities through the Arizona Dept. of Commerce's Rural Economic Development Initiative Program (REDI). The program helps rural communities strengthen economic development practices & techniques in order to become more attractive for capital investment.
"These matching grants help provide the tools necessary for Arizona's rural areas to attract investment & quality jobs," says Jan Lesher, Director of the Az. Dept. of Commerce. "Each project helps promote & prepare these areas for growth, while preserving & maintaining existing business & industry."
The awards are for the following projects:
* The Town of Florence receives a $15,000 grant for an update & revision of the Florence Downtown Redevelopment Plan to put a program in place that will have a positive economic impact on the community.
* The Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation is awarded $8,850 for a Three-Tiered Marketing Strategy which will create design templates for all building & land sites, & marketing materials for use on websites & at conferences & trade shows.
* The Payson Regional Economic Development Corporation receives $2,800 for a website redesign to include relevant community & business information, economic data, & promote the region to new business prospects.
In 1987, the legislature created the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) program to promote economic development in rural areas & communities of the state. Qualified rural economic development programs & organizations with an on-going commitment to economic development can be recognized through REDI accreditation. The REDI program provides both technical & matching fund assistance.