A $1.4 million grant awarded to the Black Belt Community Foundation to run a Head Start program for Dallas, Choctaw, Marengo and Wilcox counties is a great investment not only in our children but the entire community as well.

For the last two year, the program has been run by an interim organization, but now, it will be operated locally.

It is great to see a local organization taking the reigns of the program that benefits so many children. Felecia Lucky, president of the foundation, said the grant will allow the program to reach around 307 children. We wish the foundation the best of luck in this endeavor. It is a great opportunity to help prepare children for school.

It is also a great economic boost. Lucky said around 100 jobs for the program will be filled, meaning local people will get job opportunities in Dallas and other counties.

Congresswoman Terri Sewell, who has a huge heart for the Black Belt helped make this possible. We thank her as well for making this possible.