A $20,000 municipal grant provided through a partnership between Invest Greenville and Pitt County Government has helped the Town of Ayden improve accessibility, preserve an important public facility, and create a new visual landmark for the community.
The grant supported two projects at Ayden’s Arts & Recreation Building to address critical repairs and upgrades to the building’s elevator and to create a community mural honoring the town’s history, culture, and values.
“The funding allowed us to complete meaningful improvements to our Arts and Recreation Building, including the installation of a vibrant community mural and critical repairs to the building’s elevator,” said Stephen E. Smith, town manager for the Town of Ayden. “These investments have enhanced both the accessibility and appearance of the facility, ensuring it remains a welcoming and functional space for residents and visitors alike.”
The elevator improvements were an essential part of maintaining the building as an inclusive community resource. Ayden’s Arts & Recreation programs provide affordable opportunities in sports, theatre, art, exercise, and other activities for residents of different ages and abilities.
Reliable access to the building’s upper level is especially important for several of those programs. Props used by the Smiles and Frowns Playhouse are stored upstairs, while senior exercise and art classes are among the activities that depend on residents being able to move safely throughout the facility. The repairs help ensure that older adults, people with mobility limitations, program participants, and visitors can more fully access the building and its offerings.
“A successful community facility is one that people can continue to use, depend on, and feel welcome in,” said David Horn, vice president of operations and strategic partnerships at Invest Greenville. “Ayden identified a specific barrier that could have limited participation in its programs and used this funding to address it directly. Helping municipalities navigate the grant process and turn needs like this into completed projects is one of the most rewarding parts of this partnership.”
While the elevator repairs strengthened the building’s function, the second phase of the project enhanced its appearance and connection to the community.
The Coaches Mural transformed a frequently viewed exterior wall of the Arts & Recreation Building into a public art installation that reflects Ayden’s identity. By connecting the town’s past, present, and future, the mural gives residents another way to celebrate their shared history while creating an engaging visual experience for visitors.
Public art can also contribute to economic and community development by making public spaces more inviting, strengthening a town’s sense of place, and creating recognizable landmarks that encourage people to stop, explore, and spend time in the community.
“What makes this project especially meaningful is the way it combined a necessary infrastructure improvement with an investment in community pride,” said Kelly Andrews, director of Pitt County Economic Development. “The elevator helps preserve access to programs that contribute to residents’ quality of life, while the mural communicates something distinctive about Ayden to everyone who visits the building. Together, those improvements support a community where people want to live, gather, and participate.”
Town leaders emphasized that the elevator work was particularly important to the building’s continued use.
“This repair allows the building to remain a viable space for our community,” said Daniel Heffner, Ayden commissioner. “The Board and the residents of Ayden appreciate this grant and what it allowed us to accomplish for our citizens.”
The completed project demonstrates the impact that targeted municipal funding can have when communities are empowered to address their own priorities. In Ayden, the grant did more than repair a piece of equipment or improve a building’s exterior. It protected access to arts and recreation programs, strengthened a valued public gathering place, and created a lasting expression of local identity.
Through their continued municipal grant partnership, Invest Greenville and Pitt County Government are helping communities across Pitt County complete projects that respond to local needs, improve quality of life, and support long-term economic vitality.
To learn more about the Municipal Grant Program and its impact throughout Pitt County, click here.
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