By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY ó Mayor Susan Kluttz spent a few minutes chatting with President Obama Tuesday after his speech in Jamestown.
The White House invited Kluttz, who holds leadership positions with several state and regional organizations, to attend the speech. She also was chosen to participate in a small group meeting with Obama.
ěI thanked him for understanding the need for jobs,î Kluttz said at the Salisbury City Council meeting Tuesday afternoon.
Kluttz was among 10 North Carolina mayors representing the N.C. Metropolitan Mayors Coalition who signed a Sept. 12 letter supporting Obamaís jobs initiative.
She also told Obama Salisbury was the smallest of 17 U.S. cities to win a Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grants were a White House initiative.
ěIt gave me great pleasure to tell him that we had received that and to thank him not only for understanding that we need jobs, but for the hope they brought to the community,î Kluttz said.
Salisbury is using the $170,000 grant to plan the transformation of the West End community and will compete for up to $30 million in federal dollars to put the plan into action.
Kluttz said she was impressed with Obamaís emphasis during his speech on looking for bipartisan support in Congress for job creation.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.