Winnsboro Receives AmeriCorp Grant Worth $348,000

The Winnsboro Main Street / Community Development office received notice late last week that a joint-application for 20 AmeriCorp VISTA members has been accepted. The project, titled “Beyond the New Horizon” includes the Chamber of Commerce, Winnsboro Community Development, Helping Young People Excel, Winnsboro Area Merchants Association, Enough Is Enough Drug Task Force, Trails Country Centre for the Arts, Winnsboro Public Library, and the Winnsboro Main Street Partnership. The proposal interconnects the organizations to increase community synergy and enhance the already strong cooperation between entities. The VISTA agreement extends up to one year at may be canceled by the City or Federal government at anytime. The program may also be extended for a period of three years.

A written project plan details the minimum specific VISTA tasks for each organization. The following explains:

Helping Young People Excel (HYPE) – 3 VISTAs

  • Develop presentations that educate the youth on college application processes and financial assistance for education.
  • Write 6 grants for a community enrichment center.
  • Develop a community plan for the Martin Luther King Park.
  • Increase scholarship funds available through HYPE

TrailsCountryCenter for the Arts (TCCA) – 3 VISTAs

  • Relinquish the entity from current mortgage debt.
  • Write 10 grants in an attempt to retrieve for building rehabilitation
  • Increase the number of sustainable programming available.

The Winnsboro Main Street Partnership – 2 VISTAs

  • Conduct an in-depth analysis to declare what kinds of businesses are conducive to the district.
  • Increase the economic viability of the Main Street District.
  • Research and Develop a needs assessment for a historic preservation ordinance.

Winnsboro Area Merchants Association – 2 VISTAs

  • Assist in writing business plans for current and start-up businesses.
  • Professional consultation for local and regional businesses regarding strategies and inter-organizational issues.
  • Develop a custom reference guide specific to Winnsboro regarding business plans, strategies, and marketing plans. Develop a business library or submit items to current public library in a business section.
  • Develop a revolving loan fund

Winnsboro Area Chamber of Commerce – 3 VISTAs

  • Establish a business incubator
  • Conduct a membership study to establish needs of local entities
  • Develop a revolving loan fund
  • Develop a community volunteer base
  • Increase membership and membership services

Winnsboro Public Library – 2 VISTAs

  • Increase funds through activities such as writing grants to increase resources and technology available to the public.

Enough Is Enough Drug Task Force – 2 VISTAs

  • Write grants to assist law enforcement and/or any other entity that assists in the declination of drugs in the region.
  • Develop educational presentations for the public and youth.

The program has been strongly utilized under this structure in other East Texas communities such as Van, Texas under the authority of the Circle of Ten grant writing organization. Grand Saline is considering the concept.

For more information, visit www.americorps.gov or call Shane Shepard, Winnsboro Main Street / Community Development Director at 903.342.0684