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The “City of Valley Care and Share Sign,” welcoming visitors to the city will be getting an update. 

The city was awarded a $2,500 grant from the Alabama Power Foundation’s Gateway Grant program, which they will use to revitalize the Care and Share sign located on Highway 29 and 20th Ave. The grant was a joint effort between Ansley Emfinger and Andie Roberts of the Chambers County Development Authority (CCDA), as well as Laurie Blount, the City of Valley’s Parks and Recreation Director.

The Gateway Grants are “intended to unlock the economic and cultural value within Alabama Power served communities by helping invite new visitors, new industries, and new neighbors to their respective area,” according to a press release from the CCDA. The grants can be used for projects like updating signage, website development and marketing materials for city promotion. 

The brick sign, which reads, “Welcome to Valley Alabama, where people care and share” is the only entrance sign for Valley. The new sign will have the same phrase but will have black vinyl lettering, increasing the longevity of the sign. 

“The sign has been a community staple but needs refreshing,” Blount stated in the press release.

The city also received a grant to plant flowers on roadsides throughout Valley, including around the signage. The sign update and planting will be finished sometime in Spring 2024.

 “We want to thank Alabama Power for having these grant opportunities, and for being a such a valuable partner for the community,” said Emfinger. 

The press release states that to be eligible for the grant, the projects proposed must help civic pride, be used for community beautification, or assist with promotion for community or event promotion.