12/12/2006

Chattanooga, TN. –Mayor Littlefield and City Council members will present award certificates to 23 Chattanooga neighborhood associations and community organizations for the 2006-07 Neighborhood Partners Project. 

“As an advocate for our neighborhoods, I have always admired how our neighborhood leaders use these funds to infuse their communities with exciting projects,” said Mayor Ron Littlefield.  “The NPP is one of my favorite and we hope to have even more ideas and applications for it next year,” said Mayor Littlefield.

According to Beverly P. Johnson, Administrator of the Department of Neighborhood Services and Community Development, recipients will use funds to enhance their neighborhoods by implementing safety, beautification and neighborhood development projects.

The event will be held on the 3rd Floor Atrium of Warehouse Row, 1110 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402, Wednesday, December 13, 2006, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

In keeping with Mayor Ron Littlefield’s commitment to “nourish neighborhoods” a maximum of $7,000 will be awarded for projects, programs and activities aimed towards neighborhood development, safety and beautification efforts within Chattanooga’s neighborhoods.  Proposed projects must demonstrate civic participation and create community-based solutions that will substantially improve Chattanooga neighborhoods. 

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to: pilot or start-up public school partnership projects that directly benefit a public school and its immediate neighborhood; planting of trees, flowers, shrubbery for beautification; English as a Second Language (ESOL) Classes; and projects that promote issues of neighborhood safety.  Eligible applicants are neighborhood associations or civic organizations located within the Chattanooga City limits for at least six (6) months prior to the application date.  Ineligible applicants are governmental agencies, educational institutions, religious institutions, private and for-profit businesses and individuals and private property owners.

Neighborhood Partners Projects (NPP) create opportunities for organizations to make their neighborhoods stronger, safer, and healthier and improve their neighborhood environments as well as develop and nurture relationships among neighbors.

For more information about this release or the Neighborhood Partners Project, contact Darius Swoope at (423) 425-3718 or send an email to swoope_d@mail.chattanooga.gov or visit www.chattanooga.gov.