VIDALIA, La. &045; Vidalia is working on funding options for two major projects, a marina and a loading and unloading facility.

The board of aldermen on Tuesday passed resolutions supporting the application of about $250,000 in grant funds for the marina, for which the city will use the Vidalia Landing as

its match.

Aldermen also passed a resolution agreeing to put up $500,000 in matching funds for the loading and unloading facility. But the city hopes to raise about half that in other grant funds.

&uot;We hope we can get the money from someplace else down the road,&uot; Mayor Hyram Copeland said.

&uot;This is the first step,&uot; he said of the grant applications. &uot;It looks extremely good, by the way.&uot;

Copeland said the city is still negotiating with a rubber recycling plant that would locate at the new Vidalia Industrial Park.

&uot;Hopefully in the next few weeks we can make a big announcement,&uot; he said.

The loading and unloading facility would be at the industrial park, which will help attract other industries, Copeland said.

Vidalia has received $1 million from the federal Economic Development Authority and received another $1 million in state capital outlay funds for the loading facility. The match is needed for the capital outlay money.

Copeland said the cash match is one of the few times the city has had to pay for one of its projects.

&uot;We’re very fortunate to get almost 100 percent grants&uot; for projects, he said.