City to benefit from grant funds donated by Walmart

GENTRY — About $20,000 in grant funds will indirectly benefit the city of Gentry, according to Chamber of Commerce director Bev Saunders.

Though the city did not receive the nearly $100,000 it applied for to convert city-owned property along Flint Creek into a nature area with fishing pond, the city will indirectly receive the benefit of grant funds totalling near $20,000 for projects submitted ingrant applications through the Gentry Chamber of Commerce and the Gentry United Way.

According to Saunders, Walmart donated $5,000 through the Gentry United Way for trees in the city park. The Gentry Public Library will be receiving another $5,000 through a Walmart donation to the United Way to purchase e-readers.

Additional grant money, expected from a Walmart grant applied for by the Gentry Chamber of Commerce, will be used to setup a website for the city and city-related entities to promote economic development in Gentry.

Saunders said she remains hopeful the city will also receive money to develop a nature area along Flint Creek in upcoming grant cycles. Though the city’s grant application was favorably received, the city did not receive funding this year because of the number of applications received for a Wildlife Recreation Facilities Grant and limited funding.