By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

HARPERSVILLE—Drivers on U.S. 280 will soon have no doubt when entering Harpersville. The town is planning to install two new welcome signs on the roadway after receiving a Gateway grant from the Alabama Power Foundation.

Harpersville was one of 33 towns and cities across Alabama chosen to receive a Gateway grant. According to the Alabama Power Foundation, Gateway grants aim to “help cities and towns across Alabama present themselves in a new way.”

Harpersville will use the $1,000 from the Alabama Power Foundation toward the purchase of two signs, one for U.S. 280 east and one for U.S. 280 west.

Currently, only small green highway signs mark the beginning and end of Harpersville town limits. The town’s previous welcome signs were taken down last year due to disrepair.

“The old signs were taken down because they were in such bad shape,” Harpersville Mayor Theoangelo Perkins said. “(A new welcome sign) allows people to see an aesthetically pleasing gateway to the city.”

The signs are part of Harpersville’s fresh new look. Earlier this year, the town revealed a redesigned logo. The green and gold logo represents the town’s motto, “rich past, bright future,” with green signifying the earth and the bright gold symbolizing the path ahead, Perkins explained.

“We redesigned our logo earlier this year, and we want to go with that theme,” Perkins said of plans for the new signs.

Installation of a sign at U.S. 280 East near Gallups Cross Road is planned for this year. The second sign is scheduled for installation next year on U.S. 280 West between the drive-in movie theater and the Budweiser distribution center.

In addition to the Gateway grant, Harpersville received a Good Roots grant from the Alabama Power Foundation this past summer, and Perkins said he hopes to see more grants for the town in the future.

“We’re excited, we’re glad to get the grant because every little bit counts,” Perkins said. “We’re applying to a lot of grants, if you don’t apply you don’t get them.”