A $500,000 grant awarded by Gov. Robert Bentley will help the City of Greenville pave the way for the creation of nearly 200 new jobs.

The Community Development Block Grant will assist with five economic development projects in the city, which are expected to create 195 jobs.

“Providing jobs for Alabamians is a priority of my administration and our team stands ready to assist whenever possible,” Bentley said. “I commend the community and business leaders who are committed to seeing Greenville grow and prosper.”

The grant will help fund a project that will restructure traffic at the Hwy. 185/Walmart intersection. The project will also include the widening and straightening of Interstate Drive.

According to Bentley’s office, the following projects will benefit from the grant:

• BBS Properties and Assigns will construct an 18,000-square-foot shopping center with shops employing at least 25 people.
• Shrinath Hotels will build an 80-unit hotel and full-service restaurant employing about 20 people.
• Wintzell’s Oyster House will construct a restaurant creating 125 full- and part-time jobs.
• Bishop Properties will construct a 140-unit apartment complex employing five people.
• CP Homes will construct a 42-unit assisted living facility employing 20 people.

Greenville Mayor Dexter McLendon said he felt restricting the roadway would lead to the creation of the nearly 200 jobs in two years or less.

“I really feel like these improvements will lead to the creation of jobs,” McLendon said. “None of these (economic development) projects listed in the grant are guaranteed, but doing this work on the road will help us bring in businesses that will lead to jobs. It may be these listed, or it may be other businesses, but I am confident that at the end of the two years we will have created the jobs that the grant calls for.”

Along with the realignment of Interstate Drive, the CDBG will also assist in funding the construction of a new road, Mary Drive East, as well as the extension of Mary Drive West.

Should the project fail to create the 195 jobs, the City would be required to refund the grant money. Greenville has pledged $1.1 million for the project.