Pembroke is a small city that applies for many grants to help get projects done, and officials are expecting some money to come down the pipeline in 2011 for improvements.

Streetscape
The third phase of a project to improve downtown Pembroke streets will start in 2011. The money for the improvements comes from a Transportation Enhancement, or “TE” Grant, disbursed by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).
The money will go to sidewalk improvements on Rail Road and Lanier streets, Community Service Drive and Industrial Boulevard, according to City Manager Frank Etheridge.
Pembroke learned that it received $200,000 for this project in December 2007, according to the GDOT. The city council agreed to apply for a fourth phase of the streetscape project during a council meeting earlier this month.

New park
City officials would also like to get another grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to build a series of trails around a proposed 17-acre park between the industrial park and Bryan County Jail.
The city council approved the grant application in November and will find out in March or April if the city will receive any of the $50,000 they applied for, Etheridge said.
City officials also plan on applying for a second grant in April to turn a former wastewater treatment oxidation pond at the site into a park complete with football and soccer fields and a farmer’s market, Etheridge said.
Officials will find out of they are awarded that money from the state in October or November.  

For more, pick up a copy of the Dec. 25 edition of the News.