The City of Gastonia has received a $200,000 grant from the Gaston Community Foundation to support the City’s Franklin Urban Sports and Entertainment (FUSE) District, as part of its Community Partnerships program.
“We are proud that the Gaston Community Foundation is supporting our FUSE District,” said Mayor Walker E. Reid. “Their continued support is a testimony to what this community partnership can do to enhance the transformation and economic vitality of our city.”
The donation supports the City’s new ballpark located in the FUSE District, which is Gastonia’s economic development and revitalization initiative that “fuses” the areas near the ballpark to its downtown. Current development efforts include the Loray Mill, Trenton Mill Lofts, Durty Bull Brewery, the renovation of the former Coca-Cola bottling plant, Center City Crossings, and future development pads on the ballpark site.
“The Community Foundation is pleased to place our support behind the FUSE ballpark with a grant of $200,000,” said Ernest Sumner, President of the Gaston Community Foundation. “The decision making behind this grant was extensive and well planned to ensure the best use of funds for a great economic driver in our community. We look forward to its opening in May. Go Honey Hunters!”
The City broke ground for the new ballpark on October 3, 2019, and will host the first exhibition game of the Gastonia Honey Hunters, an independent baseball team of the Atlantic League for Professional Baseball, on May 23, 2021.
