DAVIDSON -- The town has received a $350,000 grant from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to fund healthy community initiatives over the next three years.
At a press conference at Roosevelt Wilson Park this afternoon, town officials announced that Davidson was the only municipality among six winners of a 2011 "Health Impact Assessment to Foster Community Design" grant.
The town will complete at least three "health impact assessments" per year. The assessments are relatively new tools, similar to environmental impact statements, that help a town or agency develop policies and programs promoting a healthier environment, fewer health disparities and more physical activity, town officials said.
The other winners were the San Francisco Department of Public Health, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Oregon Department of Human Services, the Douglas County (Neb.) Health Department and the Baltimore City Health Department.
CDC officials said they chose Davidson in part because of its "smart growth" and affordable housing efforts.
The town will also use the grant to offer HIA training throughout the region.
The grant covers all project costs, including salary and benefits for a full-time coordinator. It will also pay part of Davidson Planning Manager Lauren Blackburn's salary. She will oversee "Davidson: Design for Life," a staff committee working on the project. The town's only costs will be for some staff time.
To track the town's progress with the grant, visit www.ci.davidson.nc.us/DD4L, or sign up for the town's eCrier email distribution list at www.ci.davidson.nc.us/list.aspx.
