HAGAN ANNOUNCES $1.5M FOR EARL SCRUGGS CENTER IN CLEVELAND COUNTY

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) announced today that the Earl Scruggs Center in Cleveland County will receive a $1.5 million grant for renovations from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA). The grant has been awarded to Destination Cleveland County, a non-profit organization committed to utilizing the county's history, music and heritage to promote tourism to the area.

"North Carolina is home to some of the country's greatest musical legends, and nowhere is this more evident than in Cleveland County-birthplace of Blue Grass Boy Earl Scruggs," Hagan said. "The renovated Center will attract tourists interested in learning about Scruggs and the entire area's rich musical history, thereby boosting the local economy and creating jobs."

The Center will honor hometown artists and capitalize on the region's musical heritage by displaying a variety of historical exhibits and providing public areas for music and storytelling performances. The renovated building will be energy efficient and registered for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The Center and The Don Gibson Theatre are the two significant catalyst projects developed by Destination Cleveland County.

"We are so appreciative that the EDA has recognized the Earl Scruggs Center as a development project for our economically distressed county and region," said Emily Epley, Executive Director for Destination Cleveland County. "A Gardner Webb University Godbold School of Business study estimates that the combined economic impact from The Scruggs Center and The Don Gibson Theatre will be $180 million over a 10-year period, creating 200-250 jobs for our county. I want to thank Senator Hagan and her staff for all the work they did in helping us to secure these important funds."