U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop told a Thomasville group Thursday that a request for funding to renovate the Thomasville Cultural Center has merit during a Thursday campaign visit to Thomas County.

"This project sounds like a good candidate for a Justice Department grant," Bishop said.

Those grants, started under former President Bill Clinton, have been successful in keeping kids out of trouble by providing constructive activities, Bishop said. They have been awarded to boys and girls clubs, teen clubs, after-school programs and other groups that provide activities offering youths an alternative to getting involved with crime and drugs.
 
Bishop said he was impressed with the center,s programs that reach every school-age child in the county as well as provide activities for senior citizens.

The center also could qualify under other grant programs, Bishop told the audience.

Over the previous term of Congress, Bishop has secured more than $850,000 in funds for Justice Department grants providing services to teens, including $150,000 for the Thomas Area Teen Center and $25,000 for Reaching You, a Thomasville after-school program.

During a short presentation, center officials explained the history of the privately supported venture located in a former school building, as well as the needs for the 40,000 square-foot facility where visual and fine arts programs and performances are provided. The most pressing is replacing the aging air conditioning system that cannot be used during summer performances because of excessive noise audible from the stage, center representatives said.

The center logs more than 30,000 visitors each year for its permanent and touring art works, performances and performing arts classes that include piano, pottery, painting and violin. The center,s outreach program provides a full season of productions for area schoolchildren.