Ribbon Cutting Group Photo 2048X1365 1 E1736200086866 — Black Belt Development Center celebrated the grand opening with ribbon-cutting ceremony. (University of West Alabama)

The McMillan Bank Building has served the Livingston community for over a century, playing many roles including city hall, ballroom, government offices and, of course, a bank.

Now, the space has evolved and is set to be used to help businesses throughout the Black Belt region, thanks to some assistance from the University of West Alabama.

Keep reading for more about the university’s latest project in downtown Livingston.

Black Belt Development Center

The building is located at 128 Franklin Street in downtown Livingston, roughly half a mile from the university’s campus. It is right next to the Black Belt Museum.

One of the center’s key components is its small business incubator, which will provide technical assistance, job training, and professional development.

“Part of our mission is to serve the region, with a strong emphasis on economic and workforce development. This center represents a collaborative effort to support our community, and we are incredibly proud of it.”
~ Ken Tucker, President at University of West Alabama

University of West Alabama Provost Tina Jones emphasized that the project would not have been possible without the vision of the late Dr. John Hall, who was appointed by UWA in 2006 to create and lead the Black Belt Museum in Livingston—dedicated to the arts, culture, and natural history of the Black Belt region.

“We are deeply grateful to our donors and grantors, including the Regions Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Delta Regional Authority, and individual donors Linda and Charles Munoz. We also appreciate the Sumter County Commission for their initial donation of the building and the City of Livingston for their continued support. Lastly, we owe a special thanks to Congresswoman Terri Sewell and her staff for their support of this project and Alabama’s Black Belt.”
~ University of West Alabama Provost Tina Jones

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