Downtown Hamlet has seen its fair share of clean-up in the past couple years and during Tuesday night’s city council meeting, other parts of the city may recieve support with the help of a grant.

Council officials discussed a Community Development Block Grant during a public hearing which may be used to improve some areas around the city of Hamlet.

According to Mayor Jeff Smart, the areas which will be improved have not been selected yet, but the money will go to residential areas in need of assistance.

The process takes approximately five years to complete and the grant applies specifially to residential areas. The funding from the grant can be used for public housing, water, sewer and other needs.

Additionally, the city council approved a new logo for the downtown Main Street program after a local contest was conducted.

“We want excitement in the air,” Smart said.

The winner’s logo becomes a part of Hamlet’s downtown revitalization project which began in 2008.

Banners hanging throughout downtown Hamlet will be decorated with the new logo and along with the banners, it will appear on letterhead for some official documents and promotional items like buttons, t-shirts and hats for the city of Hamlet.

The downtown project began in 2008 with the help of the North Carolina Main Street program which is a two-year plan to rejuvenate a town’s image.

“I’m proud of what we’ve done and where we’re going.” Smart said.

Other business conducted:

n Charles Bristow was re-appointed to Housing Autohirty Board of Comissioners.

n Bobbie Pruitt was re-appointed to the Richmond County Public Library System.