News Archive

Image Alternative Text: STR logo - red flower petals with yellow circle in center and purple "leaves"

Learn More about MSU Small Town Center announces Small Town Revitalization grant program recipients

MSU Small Town Center announces Small Town Revitalization grant program recipients

Communities receiving STR grants include: Booneville, Carthage, Columbia, Eupora, Falcon, McComb, Pascagoula, Ripley, Saltillo, Tunica and Water…
Image Alternative Text: students receive Best Downtown Beautification Award from Lisa Klutts at the Civic

Learn More about Small Town Center class wins Best Downtown Beautification Award

Small Town Center class wins Best Downtown Beautification Award

The award was presented to the 10 students at the annual West Point Main Street banquet at the Civic.
Image Alternative Text: Leah Kemp

Learn More about Director Leah Kemp to serve as state scholar for Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition

Director Leah Kemp to serve as state scholar for Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition

“Crossroads: Change in Rural America" is an interactive, multimedia exhibit that will travel the state for six weeks from August 2023 through June…
Image Alternative Text: photo of mural in front of mural on University Drive as part of the University Drive Corridor Connections project.

Learn More about Soy-Biobased Biostripe makes a big impact for Small Town Center

Soy-Biobased Biostripe makes a big impact for Small Town Center

The street mural project can be seen along University Drive from campus to downtown.
Image Alternative Text: Volunteers paint a large cowbell-themed mural on University Drive Friday [July 22] as part of the University Drive Corridor Connections project. (Photo by Grace Cockrell)

Learn More about Street art strengthens MSU-Starkville bonds

Street art strengthens MSU-Starkville bonds

The Small Town Center received funding for the project from a $25,000 grant from the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art Initiative.
Image Alternative Text: large, colorful boxes sit scattered in a park; green umbrellas and parking lot in the background

Learn More about Small Town Center receives Community Engagement Award

Small Town Center receives Community Engagement Award

“The Art Yard" project in Starkville received honorable mention in the Scholarship of Engagement category.
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Learn More about Carl family remembers son with gift to MSU Athletics

Carl family remembers son with gift to MSU Athletics

A gift to Mississippi State University Athletics from the Fred and Margaret Carl Foundation memorializes MSU alumnus Christopher Leflore Carl, who…
Image Alternative Text: people paint mural on street

Learn More about Small Town Center secures $25,000 Asphalt Art Initiative funding

Small Town Center secures $25,000 Asphalt Art Initiative funding

The City of Starkville is one of 26 cities from around the nation recently selected to receive a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Image Alternative Text: Children sit and play on turf and colorful block seats while others are gathered on sidewalk

Learn More about State Spotlight: Creating Fun Spaces

State Spotlight: Creating Fun Spaces

In a partnership between the Idea Shop and MSU's Fred Carl Jr. Small Town Center, outdoor seating was designed and fabricated, serving as an example…
Image Alternative Text: Guntown residents stand in front of signs on either side of sidewalk

Learn More about Small Town Center featured on WTVA news

Small Town Center featured on WTVA news

A public meeting was held as part of the Guntown City Park Visioning session process to get feedback and input about what community members would…
Image Alternative Text: rendering of the streatery concept - shows tables with red umbrellas in the parking spots in front of some restaurants in downtown Starkville

Learn More about STC recognized by American Institute of Architects’ Mississippi Chapter

STC recognized by American Institute of Architects’ Mississippi Chapter

The center received an honor citation for the creation of the Starkville Streatery and Small Town Streatery Toolkit.
Image Alternative Text: headshot of Leah Kemp

Learn More about Director Leah Kemp featured on MPB's 'The Mississippi Arts Hour'

Director Leah Kemp featured on MPB's 'The Mississippi Arts Hour'

Melody Moody Thortis speaks with Leah Kemp, Director of the Fred Carl Jr. Small Town Center at Mississippi State University in Starkville.
Image Alternative Text: rendering of the streatery concept - shows tables with red umbrellas in the parking spots in front of some restaurants in downtown Starkville

Learn More about Mississippi Business Journal features Small Town Center's streateries

Mississippi Business Journal features Small Town Center's streateries

The STC is working to help downtowns economically during the pandemic by developing a toolkit for creating new designs for shared public spaces.
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Learn More about STC, MSU recognized nationally by APLU for commitment to improving Mississippi

STC, MSU recognized nationally by APLU for commitment to improving Mississippi
Image Alternative Text: a view of the painted alley project farther away showing 2 buildings

Learn More about Director Leah Kemp writes The Conversation article: 'How small towns are responding to the global pandemic'

Director Leah Kemp writes The Conversation article: 'How small towns are responding to the global pandemic'

Kemp states that small towns have the advantage of being more nimble and responsive&nbs