Macon and Bibb County leaders say they've been awarded a $1.5 million Community Block Development Grant to redevelop the old Atlantic Cotton Mills.

The city and the county applied jointly for a grant in the federal 2009 disaster recovery competition. Macon Mayor Robert Reichert told city council members on Tuesday that the grant is an important step in funding the proposed $13.5 million redevelopment project for the 121-year-old mill. A Winston-Salem, N.C., developer, Landmark Development, wants to turn the 80,000-square-foot facility into 103 lofts and other housing units for low-to-moderate income families.

Officials say the completed project would bring in more than $250,000 a year in property taxes after local and state tax credits expire.

Tags: grant, Bibb County, Macon County, mills