City of Florence, Audrey Nelson Community Development Award, commended

This resolution commends the City of Florence and its Office of Planning and Community Development for receiving the 2026 Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award. The award recognizes their Literacy Gardens project at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, which created two free, public outdoor learning spaces (a Children's Garden for ages birth-10 and a Reading Garden for teens/adults) using $120,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds leveraged with over $250,000 in private donations. The project addresses barriers like limited broadband access and lack of safe educational spaces for low- to moderate-income residents by providing technology-enabled, accessible areas for learning and community connection. The resolution serves as a formal expression of praise without enacting new policy or creating legal obligations.