Albany’s Flint RiverQuarium, a key to the city’s downtown development plan, has received an infusion of cash from business leaders and companies in Dougherty and Lee counties to ensure the tourist attraction keeps its doors open.

Faison Middleton, speaking at a news conference Tuesday afternoon at Flint RiverQuarium, said $320,000 in cash has been pledged both this year and next fiscal year.

“This moves us out of survival mode from day to day,” said Tommy Gregors, chief operating officer for Flint RiverQuarium and executive director for Thronateeska Heritage Foundation.

The pledges from the business community join a $150,000 allocation from the Albany City Commission, revenue generated from those attending the attraction and a handful of existing grants to make up the $1.2 million annual budget.

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