Two local cities seeking ‘hometown makeovers’

Two Cherokee County cities are looking for a takeover – by HGTV’s ‘Home Town’ stars Ben and Erin Napier, that is.

Citizens of Alto and Jacksonville have put together video submissions for their town and recently answered HGTV’s nationwide call “to find towns that could use some of the ‘Home Town’ touch,” as part of the network’s new series, ‘Home Town Takeover,’ according to HGTV’s website.

“In this exciting new project, Erin and Ben lead a team of renovation pros as they takeover and makeover an entire small town,” the site states. “Could your town be the next ‘Home Town’?”

Both local communities are hopeful.

Alto’s video, titled ‘The Storm’ was written by Dana Zambon and produced by Shanelle Gaddis – both Alto natives. The video highlights Alto’s need for a makeover, especially after tornadoes demolished a large portion of the town in April 2019.

“I wrote and submitted the application – the video was all Shanelle’s talent,” Zambon said in a statement provided to the Alto Economic Development Corporation Director Kathi Davis. “Since I have the journalism background and Shanelle has the video background, it just made sense for us to do it together.

“It was a great collaborative effort and I am so hopeful about our chances of winning.”

Gaddis shared in a Facebook post, “I was honored to produce/edit this short film. Special thanks to Dana Zambon for allowing me to be a part of the team and also Alison Bays for recommending me.

“Time didn’t allow me to get everyone’s interviews or footage in this project but please know we are in this ALTOgether. Hoping we make it.”

Jacksonville’s Al Lambert Jr. volunteered his time and talents to make his hometown’s video.

“Had a blast making this video,” he stated in a Facebook post. “The hardest part about editing it was having too much good stuff to fit into one video. I feel like it came out great with the limited amount of time we had to submit. The people of Jacksonville were such a big help and showed so much support.

“Special thanks to Cassie Devillier for all her help in getting everything lined up, keeping everything scheduled and organized and for having faith in me to put this video together, capturing the people of Jacksonville.”

Devillier was on hand at the Jacksonville City Council’s February meeting, during which council members got a sneak peek at Jacksonville’s video.

“We’ve been contacted for permission for HGTV to use our submission in some of their social media stuff and they said they’re very impressed with our video,” Devillier told the Council. “So we’re excited about that!”

Officials also held an open screening of the video Tuesday, Feb. 18 at Apex Cinema in Jacksonville.

HGTV’s Home Town Takeover will be a six-episode special event that’s slated to air on HGTV in 2021.

Show hosts Erin and Ben Napier have helped rescue and enhance dozens of homes in their hometown of Laurel, Miss., while playing a pivotal role in helping revitalize that city’s downtown while preserving and celebrating the town’s architectural treasures, endemic charm and historic features.

The couple is now expanding their horizons beyond Laurel with the Home Town Takeover series.

“Renovating one house at a time is an awesome experience,” Ben Napier said in a statement released by HGTV. “But the chance to support an entire town, where we help bring a community back to life — that’s something we’ve always wanted to try.”

Erin Napier added, “This is a big one. HGTV has never, ever taken on a whole-town renovation and restoration project, and we’re so proud and excited to be leading the team that will get it done. You may see us in your town soon.”

David L. Haynes contributed to this article.