Bill and Gloria Gaither have chosen not to comment on the project, stating that it is premature to do so at this point.

Alexandria city officials will not know if the funding has been earmarked until September, Starkey said.

“Small Town U.S.A.”

The construction of “The American Gospel Music Experience” is hardly the only trick up Woods’ sleeve.

He is determined to make Alexandria a tourist destination and is planning to approach the federal government about re-branding Alexandria as “Small Town U.S.A.” as it did during World War II.

The federal government selected Alexandria for the honor in 1943 as part of war-time propaganda to encourage positive feelings about America in Europe.

Leaflets depicting Alexandria’s streets and friendly, small-town appeal were dropped from planes flying over the European countryside.

While Woods does not expect that the skies will rain with Alexandria leaflets once more, he is hoping the government will re-brand the city in order to drum up tourism and federal funding. “If we can get the federal government to recognize that we have that title, maybe we can get some funding to help fix our buildings up.”

The mayor is also hoping Pence will address the city’s train traffic by providing funding for the construction of grade separations throughout town.