Head Start Program Receives $1.7 Million Grant for School Readiness Program

New Albany - Floyd County Head Start received big news from the Department of Health and Human Services this week as they received $1.7 million in grant funding that will let them expand their “Birth to Five” program and add 27 new jobs.

“New Albany has experienced a major shortage of early child care that is both affordable and available to young families,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “This is wonderful news for young families who want the very best start for their children. It is a huge step forward for the residents of New Albany and Floyd County. We will continue to look for ways to expand this type of service to even more families in New Albany. Congratulations to Director Tara Meachum and the Head Start team on this achievement.”

The funding will offer 80 slots to pregnant women, infants, and toddlers; 40 home-based slots and 40 center-based slots.

Head Start “Birth to Five” promotes school readiness for preschool age children from low-income families by providing comprehensive services to children and families. These services and programs include education, health and development screenings, health and safety, social and emotional health, nutrition, social services, transition services, and services for children with disabilities. These services are provided to support the mental, social, and emotional development of the children and their families.

Head Start will also be adding 27 new positions to their program. Full job descriptions can be found at http://www.fcheadstart.com/jobs.html and open interviews will be held on Thursday May 9th (4pm-7pm) and Friday, May 10 (8am-11am). Head Start is located at 1902 Corydon Pike in New Albany.

Upcoming Events - Shakespeare, Le Tour De Greenway, Car Show, Summer Concerts

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Kentucky Shakespeare recently announced their 2019 SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARKS tour. Their 6-actor, 90-minute production of MACBETH will tour to Bicentennial Park on Sunday, May 5th, bringing free Shakespeare to the neighborhood! Come join us for a fun-filled night in downtown New Albany. The event is free of charge. Limited tables and seating available, but attendees can feel free to bring chairs and/or picnic blankets.

Shakespeare in the Park - MACBETH

Sunday, May 5th at Bicentennial Park

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Le Tour De Greenway

Saturday, May 11 8am-12pm

The parks departments of New Albany, Jeffersonville and Clarksville invite the public to Le Tour de Greenway, a family-friendly fun ride on the Ohio River Greenway. Set for Saturday, May 11, from 8 a.m. to noon, this first-ever event is meant to celebrate the full connection of the Greenway, a 7.5-mile multi-use path through the three communities. With the recent opening of a walking bridge across Silver Creek, recreational users can now ride the Greenway from end to end.

For more information, visit https://letourdegreenway.com/

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2019 Spring Mayor’s Car Show with Back in Time Car Club

Sunday May 19th from 10am-4pm @ Corner of West Market and Scribner Drive

Back in Time Car Club presents the 2019 Spring Mayor’s Car Show! The show is $15 per car, with dash plaques for the first 150 cars. Awards will be given to the top 50 cars. For more information, call Walter Smith at 812-987-6179.

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Bicentennial Park Concert Series

Fridays beginning Mar 31st from 6:30-9:30pm at the corner of Spring and Pearl Streets.

The Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series returns on May 31st in historic downtown New Albany. Located at the corner of Spring and Pearl streets, these free concerts are open to music lovers of all ages. Come join us from 6:30-9:30pm on Friday nights in downtown New Albany! Thanks to our sponsors 91.9 WFPK & McNeely Stephenson.

For more information, please visit http://newalbanycityhall.com/bicentennialpark

INDOT ROAD WORK UPDATE: Sherman Minton Bridge, State Street & I-265 Interchange

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) continues work on 2 important roadway improvements this week here in New Albany.

Sherman Minton Bridge: The State will be closing a single lane on the Sherman Minton Bridge as part of the Sherman Minton Renewal Project this week to perform survey work. A single westbound lane closure will begin on Tuesday, April 23rd from 6am-3pm. A single eastbound lane will be closed on Wednesday, April 24 from 9am-6pm. Thursday, April 25th will be used as needed in case of weather or other delays. Learn more about this update at www.shermanmintonrenewal.com

State Street & 265 Improvement: INDOT is currently repainting the bridge and overpass on State Street over I-265. Traffic congestion is being caused due to the lane closures needed to safely complete this work. The City is currently working with the State of Indiana to shorten wait times by modifying the traffic measures that are in currently place. This work should be completed and fully open by the end of the month.

Sazerac Wins Award for Investment, Job Creation in New Albany

CONGRATULATIONS! Last week, Chad Soeder, Plant Manager for Sazerac (pictured here with Mayor Gahan), accepted the Economic Development Impact Project of the Year Award from One Southern Indiana. The award is presented to a company whose introduction to the community, or expansion of current facilities has had the largest impact on our community in the past year.

Sazerac is investing $66 million in New Albany at the old Pillsbury Plant and is bringing at least 110 NEW JOBS to the area. Congratulations to Chad and the team at Sazerac!

For more information about Sazerac and the $66 million investment in New Albany:

http://newalbanycityhall.com/home/2018/6/5/from-biscuits-to-bourbon-new-albany-welcomes-sazerac

http://web.1si.org/news/newsarticledisplay.aspx?ArticleID=2713

Improved Flood Protection Coming to New Albany

IMPROVED FLOOD PROTECTION COMING TO NEW ALBANY –

The City of New Albany is improving flood protection by adding self-contained backup power to our main pumping station.

“Flood protection for the City of New Albany has always been a priority for me,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “This effort will further protect life and property in our River City.”

During our last flooding event, flood pumps were removing 300,000 gallons of water per minute from the city. Backup power is an added safety feature which puts New Albany’s flood protection ahead of other communities.

This addition was approved at last week’s Flood Control District Board meeting. The new power system runs on diesel fuel and will be able to keep flood control powered up and fully operational even during a grid power outage.

Recent weather models predict increased rainfall over the next few decades for the Midwest.