By By Lydia Grimes
features reporter
The United States Department of Agriculture  has awarded Alabama State University a Rural Business Opportunity Program grant, which will be located at its Southern Normal Campus in Brewton.
The purpose of the grant is to provide comprehensive economic development resources for the residents, businesses and government entities within the four-county area of Conecuh, Covington, Escambia and Monroe counties, said Dr. RoseMary Watkins, executive director of ASU’s Brewton Campus.
She said the grant will allow ASU’s Brewton Campus to provide a center with computers, faxes, research resources and other assets, as well as allowing it to host mini-sessions to help those they serve write business plans, find seed money and capital and other economic development related training programs to help expanding or new businesses in that area.