Afton wins $68,000 grant to help with planning issues

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Afton has been selected as one of 10 communities to receive a $68,000 grant to help with on-going planning issues.

The 1,000 Friends of Minnesota announced Tuesday, Oct. 21 that Afton was the latest city to have secured the grant, which will see the city receiving up to $40,000 next year and $28,000 in 2010 (the city must provide match funding of $6,000 the second year).

The non-profit group 1,000 Friends of Minnesota aims to help smaller communities of 600 to 12,000 tackle the challenges of development through its Community Growth Options program.

“Many communities have a vision of maintaining their community character, open spaces and rural lifestyle, while also enjoying the economic development that growth could bring,” says a blurb on the organization’s website.

“Being concerned for the future of these unique places, Community Growth Options seeks to build capacity for ongoing planning and implementation in 10 growing communities over a six-year period.”

Although the initial grant and contract with the 1,000 Friends of Minnesota is for two years, there will be an option to continue through to the end of the six-year program.

• For the full story, see the Woodbury Bulletin print edition, out Oct. 29.

Tags: afton, city, council, 1000, friends, minnesota, planning