UB Community Development Announces $375,000 Community Facilities Lending Funds for City of Creola City Hall Project
Atmore, AL – UB Community Development, LLC (UBCD), a community development partner of United Bank, announces $375,000 in Community Facilities Lending funds for city of Creola city hall project. The funds will be used to purchase and renovate their leased 6,000 square foot office facility.
“We’re happy to support the city of Creola in this expansion that will result in improved efficiencies, expanded office space and enhanced services to their community,” said Alex Jones, President, UB Community Development “By aligning resources and strategic city partnerships, the Community Facilities Lending funds have allowed the city to fulfill their objectives of improving public spaces in the city.”
The city of Creola, located in North Mobile county, is a city on the move with a purpose driven mission of welcoming new and existing residents to “come grow with us.” Established in 1978 with a current population of 2,018 and growing, the city’s existing space had fallen into disrepair with weakening structural concerns and the roof needing to be replaced. The city relocated to a leased space across from the existing facility on Old Highway 43 in downtown Creola, fueling the city’s revitalization efforts. The space they’ve been leasing for more than three years will now become their new permanent home.
“As Mayor, I had a vision for our city, which is known as God’s Country and the Gateway to the Mobile River Delta.” said Mayor William Criswell. “It was time for a change. After leasing the Naheola Credit Union for three years, we knew we wanted to purchase the building and adjoining lots as it was centrally located, across from the city park, SAIL Center, and next door to the Creola Post Office. Chris Walker, from United Bank, worked diligently with us to obtain the $375,000 and make our dream come true and we greatly appreciate his dedication. Now we have a place to call home for our employees and citizens.”
The renovated facility has fulfilled several needs in the community and city. The facility has a multi-purpose conference room for community and city meetings. The once crammed city hall now has expanded capacity, allowing for individual office space for the building inspector, Mayor, city clerk, and administrative staff. The facility is nestled on two acres, which accommodates future city growth projections. Additional amenities include public computer access to Creola citizens and an added public works department. The old city hall has also received a much needed roof repair, which now is a permanent home to police and fire staff.
There have been several key benefits to the renovated space in the current pandemic environment. Due to existing structural capacity, such as a drive through capability and plexiglass barriers, the coronavirus has not constricted current operations but has supported an extension of a safe healthy operating environment.
For more information about UB Community Development, or for help with planning your next funding project, contact Alex Jones, President, UB Community Development at (251) 446-6017 or email alex.jones@unitedbank.com.
# # #
About United Bank
United Bank is a $733,000,000 financial institution that has enjoyed 116 years of continuous service to Atmore, Alabama and surrounding communities. United Bank has offices in Atmore, Brewton, East Brewton, Flomaton, Monroeville, Frisco City, Bay Minette, Foley, Lillian, Loxley, Magnolia Springs, Silverhill, Spanish Fort, Daphne, Summerdale and Semmes in Alabama. United Bank serves Santa Rosa County, Florida in Jay, Milton, and Pace. For more information about United Bank, please visit our website at www.unitedbank.com. Member FDIC.
About UB Community Development
UB Community Development’s strong history and experience in New Markets Tax Credit transactions, coupled with our passion for improving the communities around us, make UBCD Alabama’s premier financial partner for economic and community development. Through our NMTC projects, Community Facilities Lending Program and Community Housing Capital Fund, UBCD is working with community development partners in the fields of healthcare, education, manufacturing, public works, affordable housing and more. For more information about UB Community Development, visit our website at www.UBCommunityDevelopment.com.
