FCS Financial Rural Community & Agriculture Foundation Awards $5,000 Grant to Belle Community Betterment Association for Park Entrance Revitalization
The FCS Financial Rural Community & Agriculture Foundation recently announced a $5,000 grant to the Belle Community Betterment Association (BCBA) to support the construction of a new, safer entrance at Belle City Park. The project aims to address significant safety concerns posed by the current 1950s-era entrance, which is no longer adequate for modern traffic, particularly agricultural vehicles.
Belle boasts strong agriculture youth programs, including two 4-H programs and the Belle Livestock Association, which hosts youth animal shows and sales during the Belle community fair, alongside several youth rodeos throughout the year, all held at the park.
The "Belle Park Entrance" project will involve replacing the deteriorating pillars with new brick structures and a metal sign depicting "Belle City Park." Crucially, the roadway into the park will be widened to accommodate two-lane traffic and will include a dedicated bicycle lane, significantly enhancing safety for all park users. The improved roadway will be paved with asphalt.
"We are incredibly grateful to the FCS Financial Rural Community & Agriculture Foundation for their generous support," said Barb Schaller, Secretary of the Belle Community Betterment Association. "This new entrance is vital for the safety of our youth, especially those involved in our 4-H and livestock programs, and for all residents visiting the park. The current entrance has led to several accidents and is a serious safety concern with children on bicycles sharing a single lane with large vehicles. This grant helps us provide a safer, more welcoming gateway to our beloved park."
Rob Guinn, CEO of FCS Financial, commented on the foundation's commitment to rural communities. "FCS Financial is dedicated to supporting projects that enhance the vitality and safety of our rural communities and agricultural programs," Guinn stated. "The Belle City Park entrance project directly aligns with our Foundation’s mission, particularly given its strong connection to youth agricultural activities. We are proud to invest in initiatives like this that improve critical infrastructure and create safer environments for both agricultural pursuits and community recreation."
About the FCS Financial Rural Community & Agriculture Foundation:
The FCS Financial Rural Community & Agriculture Foundation supports rural communities through financial contributions to initiatives and organizations that enhance quality of life, promote agricultural education, and foster rural development within the FCS Financial territory.
About the Belle Community Betterment Association:
The Belle Community Betterment Association is a non-profit organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for the residents of Belle and the surrounding Maries County area through various community improvement projects and initiatives.
