The Town of Tryon will match the grant with 10%, so the entire project will total $660,000, Miller said.

The primary purposes of the grant are to remodel the five homes — new siding, structural work, heating and air-conditioning, and some improvements to the water and sewer infrastructure in the neighborhood.

&uot;Most of these homeowners are either on fixed income or working paycheck to paycheck,&uot; Miller said. &uot;Some of these homes have almost fallen into a state of disrepair. We are glad we caught it before that happened.&uot;

Miller said the grant request was for $800,000, so the budget will have to be cut by $200,000 and &uot;some items may be left off the list this year.&uot; He said the Markham Street Park was tied into the project in the original grant.

Miller has long been an advocate for revitalization on the East Side of Tryon as a member of the Tryon Town Council and longtime member of the Eastside Advisory Committee.